Wild Kingdom: Suburban Edition

Ever since Babe-O was little, she's always shown an interest in our pets (at the moment, two dogs and a cat).

What's really cool now is that she is just getting big enough to play with them. And they are finally comfortable enough around her to play back.

The cat licks her, swats at her hands with his declawed paws, and involves himself in anything involving a ball. The dogs will bring her toys and let her chase them around…either in her Jeep walker or with me carrying her as she kicks her feet and squeals.

The dogs seem to know that her toys are off limits for chewing or other destruction and if she drops something, like a ball or a small toy, they will fetch it for her or at least swat it back in her direction. It's cute.

But what REALLY gets me is Maggie Mae, our golden doodle. If Babe-O is just fussing or making noise, it doesn't bother her. But if she is unusually upset (startled awake from a nap, bumps her head, whatever), Maggie gets very distraught as well. If the baby lets out a truly distressed cry, Maggie will cry as well, sort of a low, whiny howl as she paces back and forth. It works out well, because Maggie's worried nuzzle can usually make Babe-O snap out of it and the two settle each other down.

Lola, our cocker spaniel, doesn't get quite so visibly upset but definitely keeps a close eye on the baby pretty much all the time. And the cat, who doesn't like anybody, seems to have found a buddy in the baby, too.

When I was growing up, I had a mutt that would follow me around relentlessly…long after she had gone stone deaf and far exceeded any reasonable lifespan for a creature who ate only Gaines Burgers and McDonald's for just shy of two decades. I always hoped that any kid of mine would have an equally diligent dog to keep on top of things.

Looks like Babe-O just might have two.