Your first photo of Juliette, as you tried to wrestle Mommy's camera off of my neck

Anyone who has both kids and pets worries somewhat. Usually it's not about what will happen to the child, but to the poor, unsuspecting creatures.

This has proven to be true for us as well. You've pulled plenty of tails, used Juliette as a chair on several occasions, and even squirted the water-phobic canine with our garden hose. Maggie, the smart one, knows to skedaddle whenever you enter the room. Juliette eyes you warily. Lucy tolerates you pretty nicely, until you try to use her as a pillow.

Still, those incidents haven't been quite as frequent as I feared they'd be. You have, in fact, proven yourself to be rather fond of our pets. And of others.

When you see Lucy, who seems to be your favorite, you run happily toward her, bellowing, "LOOOO-SHE!" Then you'll come to a screeching halt, lean just inches from her, and give her an air smooch. Those kisses are just precious. You've done the same for the other two on many occasions (well, maybe only once to Maggie since she won't come within 500 yards of you).

You will often happily hug Juliette and stroke her fur gently, as Mommy and Daddy have tried to teach you. (Although you should see her face as you're doing this!) You perk right up when you see Maggie lounging in one of the windows from outside, and say, "Hi, Mang-ee!"

When Lucy had to go to the vet a couple of weeks ago, I explained to you that she was sick and we had to get in the car and take her right away. You saw my concern and her distress and proceeded to hug the cat carrier and give her another of your patented air kisses.

Tonight, as you were plodding around the house in search of something, you inadvertently stepped on Juliette's paw. Not on purpose and not very hard. She simply moved her paw out of the way and I absentmindedly said, "Oh, I think you stepped on Juliette." You turned right around and said, "Sowwy, Jewy."

*I couldn't resist!

Posted on August 23, 2006 08:55 PM