How to Keep Your Fur Kid and Still Have a Baby

There is so much profound sadness in rescue about family members that have been given up. Here's a happy story shared with us by Wyndi Harp of Southern Cross Boston Terrier Rescue

This is Rex and these are his new parents after Rex was adopted from a Shelby County, KY shelter. Rex was scheduled to be put down within a few days. They adopted him & I was asked as a pet sitter to come and walk him.

Rex was diagnosed with congestive heart failure so his mom comes home and checks on him when I'm not caring for him. It has always been obvious to me how much they love him.

Several months ago I noticed baby books in the garage by his leash. I started getting nervous for Rex. People often tell me how much they love their fur kid right before they ask me come and get them.

As a rescuer we get calls all the time about people "dumping" their fur kids when their human kids come along. They make all kinds of excuses as to why they can no longer keep their fur kid. Many of them end up in kill shelters.

I finally asked his mom, Keli, about the baby. I didn't know if she was going to ask me to help place him in another home. Instead, she then told me how they were preparing Rex for their new arrival.

She places a doll on her stomach so he knows not to jump on her when she's holding the baby. Her husband, Craig, has Rex sit beside him instead of in-between them in case she's holding the baby. They have been playing a cd of baby sounds to get him used to a baby crying. They are also bringing home a baby blanket for him to smell of so he can get used to her scent.

These are parents who are keeping their first "child". This is a perfect example of intelligent, responsible fur kid owners.

Rex will make a great big brother! ~Wyndi