The first 24 hours

Roscoe spent all day yesterday sleeping. I think he was comfortable, cool and on cloud nine because he was inside. He's also still on the mend, so I think he'll be lounging for the next several days.

When I picked up Kennedy from school, I told her on the way home that Roscoe was inside now. I reminded her that he is an old puppy dog and is fragile like Grandma Faye. (Grandma Faye is 83... Roscoe is 84 - more on that in another post)

So when she walked in the house, she tip-toed around. He was still sleeping in mine and Chris' bedroom so she didn't actually see him in the house before swimming lessons. After she got home from lessons, the poor boy was still sleeping. Finally, after dinner and bath time, he wandered out into the living room. At that point, Brady was in bed so they didn't get a chance to see each other.

But Kennedy was awake and watching a movie in the office. Since I knew a meltdown was looming, I went into the office and told Kennedy to come out into the living room with me.

"Why mommy?"

"Because I want you to see someone."

"Who?"

"Just come with me."

"Okay."

We hold hands and start walking into the hallway. She sees a furry black object and starts whimpering. I remind her that she is not allowed to scream.

"Kennedy, I understand you're afraid. It's okay to be scared. But do not scream."

"But mommy I DON'T want to get close to him."

"Okay, you don't have to."

Office door slams. She peers through the glass of the french doors to make sure the coast is clear. About 20 minutes later, I open the doors to the office and just ask that she please leave the doors open. She has this panic look on her face and timidly answers, "Okaaaay."

I walk away. A few minutes later, she walks into the living room very slowly. She sees me and Chris sitting on the couch and searches the room for Roscoe. He is laying on the floor by the windows and doesn't even hear her walk in. Kennedy quickly jumps on the couch and into her daddy's arms.

Again, no movement from Roscoe. Chris explains to her (for the 100th time) that Roscoe is not going to chase her, bite her, maul her, bark at her, etc. I walk past Roscoe into our bedroom and Kennedy decides she wants to follow me, but that means walking past "him." She gets up the courage and does it, staring at him the whole time. A huge smile comes across her face and you can tell she's pleased with herself. We praise her for being brave. Now that it's bedtime, we tell her it's time to walk back to her bathroom to brush her teeth. I guess she didn't want to walk with her back to him because she immediately asked her daddy for a piggyback ride.

This morning, Brady came face to face with Roscoe. At his young age, he has no fear. Brady walked right up to him and started talking to him.

"Hiyah... baba dada yah!"

Roscoe just looked at him and Brady kept talking to him. They'll be fast friends. I have no doubt about that. They even had breakfast together. Brady talked to him through the entire meal.

When Kennedy surfaced this morning, she walked around the house timidly but didn't panic or scream. And in fact, when she got ready to leave for school this morning, she turned to me and said.. "Mommy, I want to blow Roscoe a kiss." She turned around, walked into the living room, got within five feet of him and blew him a kiss.... and then said to herself, "I love that big 'ol puppy dog." Me, too.