How a Puppy is Like a Baby

So, when I tell my mom puppy stories she always laughs and says what good practice this is for when we have babies.  I can certainly see the parallels. 

• A puppy's day consists of eating, pooping, sleeping, with maybe a little play in between.  A baby's daily activities are much the same.
• Puppies and babies both require constant supervision and attention.  Failure to do so may result in a potty accident or maybe an adult toy (i.e. JW's rocket) being destroyed. 
• Though potty training a puppy is a much shorter process than potty training a baby, parents of both experience the not so glamorous task of cleaning up after the little one.  This usually requires a great deal of patience and a large amount of laundry to be done. 
• Puppies and babies put everything in their mouths.  It's how they learn.  When it's poop in the backyard though, it's totally gross and hubby is likely to get called to stop whatever he is doing and pooper scoop.
• God made puppies and babies so cute that all the work they require is worth it.  It's hard to stay mad at something that is as adorable as a puppy or a baby. 
• Puppies, like babies, are fun to cuddle and make adults talk in high pitched funny voices.
• Puppies and babies should both be monitored after their first booster shots for allergic reactions.  (See this post is for evidence.)
• When said allergic reaction takes place Momma (and Papa Bear) tendencies come out.  I was ready to do whatever it took to make my fur baby healthy again.  It's a good thing we didn't run into any cops on our way to the clinic.  And, neither one of us complained about the large bill we had to pay after the after-hours clinic made Dakota's little face go back to its normal size. 
• A motherly instinct exists whether it's a puppy or a baby.  I love my dogs and would do anything in my power to keep them safe and happy.
• Packing up and leaving town spontaneously is difficult when a baby or puppy is part of the family.  Certain care has to be arranged.  And, if that puppy or baby is coming along for a trip, things must be packed and toted around for them.
• Puppies wake up during the night for a period of time when they are young.  Even though this stage is not as long for pups as it is for babies, it's likely to leave the human parents in a similar state.  I almost fell asleep at my desk at work on Tuesday because Dakota had a rough night the night before.  I felt like I was in a daze all day long.
• Storms and new noises are likely to scare a puppy or a baby.  See point above.  Twice since we've had Dakota, there have been stormy nights and she cried for hours on end both times.  I ended up sleeping on the couch with her on the floor beside me.  Yes, she got to sleep outside of her kennel.  I know, I'm a sucker.  It was the only way she would stop crying, and I was desperate for sleep. 
• A parent of a puppy or a baby tries to maintain a certain schedule for their young one.  I've seen parents act pretty silly to keep a baby awake during certain hours of the day to ensure a sleepy baby would sleep soundly at night.  JW and I are now guilty of acting ridiculous often times after dinner in efforts to implement this same strategy.  4 a.m. is NOT playtime. 
• Parents of both have been known to snap a ridiculous amount of pictures to document their baby or puppy's childhood and to share with others.

I am no stranger to babies, being the oldest of four and having 15 years between me and my youngest sibling.  I was old enough to change diapers, feed bottles and baby food, be spit up on, rock to sleep, and babysit when my two youngest siblings were young.  That too was good practice.  Joey is also the oldest of four.  So, I guess if you look at it, we should make pretty good parents if God allows us the opportunity to have our own human kids one day.  Or, He just thought that we needed extra practice.  :)  Either way, we are blessed to have grown up in wonderful families and are quite content with our four-legged little ones for now.