Walk this way

Our family is owned by a Basset Hound named Rosie. She is not the most well-behaved dog, but she is a sweet girl. She appointed herself Natalie's guard dog from the very beginning. Rosie would sit beside the bouncer seat to protect her baby from any evil that might come her way.

She has learned that the best place to be is under the high chair, since Natalie takes great pleasure in sharing whatever she is eating. It makes post-meal cleanup really easy. Rosie also goes with us when it is time for a nap, lying down beside the crib until Natalie dozes off. She lets Natalie flop on top of her. Almost anything goes, as long as those big hound ears are left alone.

We are co-owned by a cat named Toonce. He was given a real name, but my WH decided that he should be named after Toonces, the car-driving cat from the early days of Saturday Night Live. The name stuck.

Toonce was not much more than a kitten when he was dropped off at the veterinary clinic where I worked. I suspect he was a barn kitten, and he goes in and out whenever he wants during the day. At night, because my WH says, "Nothing good happens after dark," the cat door is closed. Before he leaves for work, WH also tells Toonce, "You be very careful out there today."

Almost every morning, weather permitting, Natalie and I take a walk through our neighborhood. If you are owned by a dog, you know you can't take a walk and leave the dog behind. We put the leash on Rosie and set off up the hill. The first time we did this, it was a huge FAIL. The dog wanted to go one way, the stroller wanted to go another way, and the baby didn't want to go anywhere. After an exhilarating five minutes, we gave up and went home.

We have it down to a science now. Natalie sits in the stroller and holds the leash. Rosie trots beside us, pausing occasionally to do her thing. The best part is that Toonce goes, too. He wears a collar with a bell, mostly to give the chipmunks and birds fair warning. As we go up the hill, I hear a jingle behind us and know he has come along.

Nearly every morning, someone will see us and say, "Did you know there is a cat following you?" After I explain that he walks with us daily, the person will say something like, "That's the cutest thing I've ever seen." I have to say I agree.