Being first-time parents can be both exciting and quite nerve-wracking. As much as you might think that you’ve got everything planned up to the tee, anxiety over little things can get to you.
Parenthood requires plenty of adjustments. Every family member has to, even our beloved pets.
This thought lingered on Liz Graffagnino and her husband’s minds when they brought their new-born home from the hospital. Their 10-year old Pittie, Remus, has been with them for six years and has never been around children before. The couple adopted Remus from Flager Humane Society, who took the black Pit in when his owner went to jail and had a troublesome past being used for dog-fighting.
Remus was adopted twice in the past and was returned right after for being “too clingy.” Liz and her husband took the chance on Remus and nursed him to be the confident fun-loving dog that he is today. The couple wasn’t sure how Remus would react, given that there will now be a new center of attention in the house. They were in for a pleasant surprise.
The couple was cautious about introducing Remus to the baby at first. Given his hulking frame, they were concerned about how he might react if he gets too excited. But Remus was a natural; he knew he had to be gentle and calm and just licked her through, welcoming his baby sister home.
Understanding his role as the new big bro of the home, Remus took care of the baby in any possible way he could. He would spring up to his feet whenever the baby cried and licks her head to comfort her. He is also involved in feeding time. Remus would lay on his mom’s feet while her sister is feeding on her special breastfeeding pillow, shushing anyone who would disturb the intimate session.
Recently, Remus took his big brother duties up another notch. Whenever he hears the baby crying nowadays, he would grab the pillow in his mouth and run to where the baby is to subdue the crying. He has associated the pillow with calming the baby down.
Wherever the pillow was in the house, trust big bro Remus to find it and bring it to his sister whenever she cries. The couple could not ask for a better big brother for their firstborn.
