Louie is our 9.5 year old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. He is possibly the most loving, soft, gentle dog on this planet! He sleeps in our bed and is quite a pampered pooch. Louie is always treated like a family member, he’s our child and my parents’ grand-dog. For anyone that knows me can attest to the strength of the love that I feel for my furry friend. Louie has been the object of all our attention, frequent Facebook photos, visits with Santa, days at the doggie spa, sleepovers at my mom’s house and long walks to the beach. That was BEFORE BELLA.
When I was pregnant, Keith and I talked a lot about how we thought Louie would adjust to the baby and how we could best ease the transition for him. We decided to try to help him get acquainted with her by bringing one of Bella’s hospital blankets home before her actual arrival. It was so precious when he curled up and went to sleep on top of it. When she first came home he would approach her with vague curiosity and try to lick her toes while she was eating, but 4 months later, they mostly ignore each other. I can’t even get a picture of the two of them together, because I think Louie is somewhat scared of Bella, especially when she cries. If I even put her on the same couch with him, he runs away.
So I feel awful when I think that my original true love, my pet, would feel anything other than the deepest love that I have always had for him. But, I have to admit that between Bella, Keith, going back to work, exercise, family and friends, Louie has taken a temporary backseat. He gets walked less often, he gets less snuggle time and sometimes we even realize we’ve forgotten to feed him. Don’t go calling the Humane Society just yet. We do feed him. It just might be Brunch or Dunch, not exaclty breakfast.
He, however, is not standing idle and letting this lack of attention go unnoticed. He has started “acting out.” He’s been pooping in the house on occasion, he also chews his feet, which is the doggie form of nail-biting. But, his latest “look at me” definitely got my attention. While we were having a quiet family dinner together one night, he snuck off and chewed one of my new JCrew ballet flats. Not both, just one. JERK. Does he not know by now that you do NOT mess with a girl’s SHOES !
Dear Louie, mommy got the message. We do love you with all our hearts! You are our first child, our son, albeit a fuzzy four-legged one. We will make a concerted effort to spend more quality time with you and make sure you are included in everything we do. You will have a best friend in Bella some day, when she is old enough to understand you. But, stay away from mommy’s shoes or you will be placed on EBay. XO!
Louie and Bella's Blanket
Bringing Up Bella Eveline 
I was about to invite Louie over to my house… until I read about the shoe situation. That just won’t do! But seriously… let’s go to a dog park on a nice day! The dogs can play and I can have a date with Bella!