Raised by Wolves

Although I have only one human child, Claire, age 15 months, I actually have three "babies." Our cat, Gracie, lives outside, coming home only for meals, much like a teenager. Our dog was a "Boston Terrorist" during his puppy months but is now a sweet Boston Terrier. He lives inside and shares a close relationship with Claire. Claire's first word, spoken even before "Da-da" or "Ya-ya" (as she calls me), was "Ah-dah!" I'm not sure whether this means "a dog!" or "Double!", his name (short for "007"). Double is the first creature Claire wishes to see when she wakes and the last before she "goes nite-nite."

I first realized Double was having a profound influence on Claire when she was six months old. The well-known pediatrician, Dr. William Sears, notes each child has a distinct crawling style. Claire's technique involves wagging her little bottom or "tail" as she crawls. Along with her new ability to crawl, she displayed a predilection to pant, which she would display when excited, a little warm, or slightly thirsty. My aunt pointed out that she probably learned these things from Double, to my initial dismay.

That dismay has quickly changed to amusement as Claire has added additional doggy skills to her repertoire. When Double plays in the living room, he rolls on the carpet to scratch his back, much like a bear rubs its back against a tree. Claire laughs at and imitates this behavior, rolling on the carpet with him. I trust this trick is performed in imitation, rather than in response to any actual itchiness.

Claire and Double have a symbiotic relationship, much like egrets and water buffalo, characterized by complimentary interdependence. At mealtimes, Double is always found expectantly at his post at the base of Claire's high chair. (While Claire would like nothing better than to take her meals at the doggy bowls, I do insist on a minimum of human behavior.) Double entertains Claire while she's in her high chair. Claire feeds Double a percentage of her food, whether this be buttery scrambled eggs, blueberry scone, or tender asparagus tips, thereby increasing both Double's nutritional variety and the gleam of his handsome tuxedo coat. Claire also tries to make Double drink from her sippy cup. As Double lacks a baby's sucking reflex, she has been unsuccessful. She has, however, increased my dishwashing workload.

Claire has learned to kiss, hug, and "pat" to show affection. ("Patting" consists of two pats accompanied by the sound "a-a" to mean "pat-pat.") This week, she patted Double, gave him "Big Hugs" by throwing herself on his neck, and kissed him by placing her mouth on his back, tongue sticking out ... dog-like.

As Claire is on time for motor skill development and language acquisition, I will allow her to be "raised by wolves," or one "wolf" in this case, at least in part ... and at least until she displays definite signs of feral child syndrome. Along with rather endearing canine skills, she is learning the invaluable arts of sharing, playing, and, most important, loving. I think both Dr. Sears and Cesar Milan would approve.