Cooper will always be my first child. Sure he has four legs, a fluffy coat and too often a destructive tail, but he’s my baby nonetheless. My husband, Jeff, and I have raised our Golden Retriever since he was 6 weeks old and he is just as much a member of our family as anyone with two legs.
Jeff and I were newly engaged when we adopted Cooper. Young and in puppy love, we were convinced we needed a puppy to make our lives complete. Now, more than three years later, Jeff and I are married. Our baby girl, Avery, will be born in just a few weeks. And Cooper, although always a puppy at heart, is starting to show a little gray in his sweet, golden face.
The puppy that once jumped through our living room window (don’t worry, he wasn’t hurt) is now a mature, young dog. When he’s not napping or chewing on an occasional bone or toy, he protects and comforts his family. He is sad to see us leave for work each morning, but greets us with love and licks when we return home each afternoon.
But Cooper shows no one more love and protection than his baby sister, Avery. He hasn’t even met her, but knows she is in my belly. Any time I relax on the sofa or curl up in bed, Cooper is at my side, his head rested next to Avery.
We can’t wait to bring our baby home in just a few, short weeks. As first-time parents, Jeff and I feel equal amounts of excitement and terror at the thought of raising a child. But strange as it may seem, we take comfort in our years raising Cooper. Granted, raising a child and raising a puppy are very different. It’s not like we can teach Avery to go to the back door and let us know she needs to potty. But raising Cooper taught us a lot about ourselves. We became more patient, more able to communicate with each other and more dedicated to raising this other being in our home.
It will be an entirely new world when we bring Avery home. Until that day we will not know quite how much we will need to adjust, acclimate or adapt. But one thing is for certain: Cooper will be at the door ready to greet his family.