We were very close to giving our dog away, and I’m not proud to admit it.
I had just taken our newborn daughter, Zoey, home with my wife, Rose. We finally had her in our arms after years of trying. Perfect, little, everything we could have imagined. In a manner it had never felt before, our little Austin home seemed whole.
However, that joy was subtly diminished by something.
Beau, our golden retriever.
He had always been the happiest, best-behaved dog you could think of. Kind, devoted, and ready to please. But lately, there had been a change in him. He began to follow Rose everywhere she went, following her like a shadow. And Beau set up shop next to the crib when Zoey got there. He wouldn’t abandon her. Never once.
We initially found it adorable. shielding and even consoling. However, things seemed to become worse after that.
Claire, the babysitter we hired, helped us deal with our weariness. However, Beau prevented her from approaching Zoey. He snarled. barked. He even flashed his teeth at one point. Every time she visited, Claire started sending anxious messages expressing her fear that he could bite her. We were exhausted, overburdened, and struggling with the ongoing anxiety that comes with being new parents.
I still adored that dog, though. Together, we had saved him. He had been a part of our marriage from the start. However, I could see Rose’s dread when I glanced at her now. What if he becomes uncontrollable one day?
My daughter’s safety had to come first, even if the guilt tore at me.
Then Rose and I went out for a quick meal last Friday night. For the first time in months, we were by ourselves. Zoey and Claire were at home. Before my phone rang, everything appeared to be usual.
Claire was in a panic.
“BEAU WENT CRAZY WHEN I PICKED UP ZOEY! HE TRIED TO ATTACK ME!”
We hurried back home. Zoey was cradled in Claire’s arms as she sat in the living room chair, shaking. Although I was aware of Beau’s odd behavior, it seemed like a boundary had been crossed.
I immediately walked to the cupboard in the corridor where the security system monitor is kept. I had to see exactly what had transpired.
I opened the video from the camera in the living room.
My blood chilled at what I saw.
Claire was humming gently while pacing while holding Zoey. Beau sat calmly but attentively at the crib.