Famly Pet, Family Member

It's Tuesday. Nothing new happened, so I thought I'd share some observations.

Our dog, Max, is a Welsh Pembroke Corgi, while our cat, Jerry, is a mix. They are right about the same age. We got Max first and two months later came Jerry. They're both male, and since Max was first introduced to the home, he's more of the alpha animal. But at 3 feet and above, Jerry has the clear advantage.

I am a cat person. Always have been; always will be. I like dogs. I'm just not as enamored of them. But for some reason, dogs are far more enamored of me. It's more likely they are just far more enamored of their humans, but I like to think they sense something more in me.

Anyway! The night before surgery, Max and Jerry knew something was up. They observed the extra activity and sensed the heightened stress. So, they were a lot more skittish than on our typical Tuesday night. Mom and Dad were at the house for two days before I came home. So, Max and Jerry had ample opportunity to acquaint themselves with the new house guests. And then when I came home, oooh something new! Both Max and Jerry were very interested in the crutches. And they really wanted to check out the thingamajig on mommy's leg. But naturally, they get shoo'ed away every time they get near.

I've been home for three days now and it is like I have two additional caretakers. Max rarely leaves my side. And when he can't get up close and personal, he's laying down right next to me, licking the crutches, and very carefully sniffing my foot. When I get up, he leads the way. Then he watches over me until I settle back down. Another thing, Max generally rarely barks. But since I've been home, he barks when I call someone's name, when there is a loud noise, when a door closes - just about everything. It is as though as Alpha Dog, he is ensuring his pack member, me, is getting enough attention. What is most endearing but also annoying is he sits next to the toilet when I'm going to the bathroom. I keep fearing I'll trip over him.

Then there's Jerry. He too follows me everywhere. But whereas Max is watching over me, Jerry is constantly wanting to be in my lap, wanting to be petted, wanting to be in the same room with me. Jerry is a 16 pound scaredy cat who doesn't like being held. If you pick him up he squeaks and does what he can to jump down. If you put him outside, he sits by the door until you let him in. So, having Jerry jumping into my lap 12 times a day and kneading my stomach is very out of character. As I write this he is laying next to me, nuzzling my hand with his head, trying to keep all the attention on him.

So, what I find interesting, is when a family member is ill or in some way incapacitated, the pets sense this and as part of the pack do what they can to protect, defend, and assist that pack member. This same thing occurred after Baby Rufus's death and during my pregnancy with Gabriel. The dog we had then, a German Shepherd named Woody, was my shadow. He followed me everywhere in and around the house. And if he could have, he would have gone with me on my errands. As it was, he got very car sick.

I find it endearing, and even rehabilitative, that our pets actively participate in our well-being. They are part of the family, so it only makes sense. Too, I find it comforting that in addition to the people around me, the animals are also intent on my well-being.