What grandmother isn’t delighted to help care for her newborn grandson? When my daughter asked me to help her with her new baby, I was a delighted grandmother! I had visions of holding the little one in a rocking chair, singing lullabies, putting him over my shoulder and patting him on the back.
There was just one wrinkle in this happy scenario. When I arrived at my daughter’s home, I was greeted by a very large dog. And, as I soon discovered, a very ill dog. My daughter and I hugged each other, and she introduced me to Eli, an adorable, plump little boy, and to her dog, Pneuma, a not so adorable, skinny dog.
Very soon I had many opportunities to rock Eli in the rocking chair, pat him on the back, and change his diapers. It was fun! … But then there was that dog. Since my daughter and son-in-law were gone during the day, it was up to me to care for baby and dog while they were away.
