A Big Day
Bringing her newborn home from the hospital was an ecstatic moment for Josie Moss. It had been months in the making, but she was also nervous about how her dog, Max, would react to the new family member.
In the beginning, Max, a big, shaggy golden retriever, had been skittish around strangers, but Josie hoped that he would eventually come around.
Acting Cautious
He sniffed around the crib and eyed the baby warily at first. As the days passed, he became more and more cautious.
Despite Josie's attempts to calm Max down, Max continued to bark at the baby. He seemed to dislike her. In an attempt to make Max accept the baby, Josie was at a loss for what to do.
He Wouldn’t Stop
Max started barking again one day while Josie was changing the baby's diaper. There was something unusual about Josie's observation this time. Hearing the noise echo off the wall made her heart race rapidly. This was enough for her.
Seeing Max barking at her, Josie turned around. However, nothing was there. The situation was beyond her control.
What Was The Reason?
In the middle of changing her baby's diaper, Josie heard Max, their beloved dog, barking.
As he barked, Josie's heart raced with unexpected intensity as the sound echoed off the walls. When her baby's diaper needed to be changed, Max cried like this every time.
She’s Had Enough
In spite of her best efforts, the constant barking had gotten to her. In an effort to figure out what was going on with Max, Josie made a promise to herself to figure it out.
When she examined her baby, Max stared at her intensely. She felt as if he was trying to explain something to her.
She Needed Answers
Max's behavior seemed to be more complicated than what Josie was seeing on the surface.
Her mind was set on keeping an eye on him and figuring out what was causing him to act so strangely. She had no idea, however, that the truth would shock her to the core.
Something Else
Josie noticed something odd this time. It wasn't Max barking at the baby. Behind her, he was barking at the wall.
Seeing Max barking, Josie turned around to see what was scurrying on the baseboard right next to the baby's crib.
Concern
A wave of relief washed over Josie. It wasn't because Max disliked the baby that he barked at her. However, he was warning Josie of something more sinister.
She hugged Max tightly and held her baby close. Something drastic had to be done. Her doctor hoped that he would be able to provide her with answers. She would never be the same after hearing what he had to say.
Her Dream
The dream of becoming a mother had been a deep desire for Josie Johnson since she was a very young child.
Dedicated to learning everything she could about pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing, she spent countless hours reading books that described every aspect of the process. Her heart swelled with joy when she found out she was pregnant, the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
She Was Determined
She was well-equipped to deal with the challenges that lay ahead despite Josie's unplanned pregnancy.
Her loving, supportive family and steady job gave her the confidence to provide a loving, nurturing environment for her child. Nothing would stand in her way of giving her baby the best possible start in life.
A Good Mother
As Josie gazed down at her growing baby bump, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, she was filled with wonder and anticipation at the thought of meeting her little one.
But on the other hand, she couldn't shake the nagging worry that crept into her mind. Would she be a good mother? Would she know what to do when the baby finally arrived?
Her Secret Weapon
Fortunately for Josie, she had a secret weapon in the form of her loyal and affectionate dog, Max. Max had been by her side for years, offering comfort and companionship whenever she needed it.
And now, as Josie prepared to become a mother, she knew that Max would be there to help her every step of the way.
Gentle
With his gentle demeanor and unwavering loyalty, Max was the perfect big brother for the little one on the way.
Josie could already picture him standing guard over the baby's crib, watching out for any potential danger and offering a warm, furry presence to comfort the little one in times of need. With Max by her side, Josie felt a newfound sense of confidence and security as she prepared for the journey ahead.
Getting Things Ready
Over the course of several months, Josie meticulously planned for the arrival of her bundle of joy. She spent countless hours decorating the nursery with soft, pastel colors, choosing the perfect crib and changing table, and hanging whimsical mobiles from the ceiling.
She stocked up on diapers, baby clothes, and all the necessary supplies to ensure that her little one would be comfortable and well-cared for.
The Day Arrived
Throughout her pregnancy, Josie attended prenatal classes to learn about the various stages of labor and delivery. And every step of the way, her faithful companion Max, a loyal and loving golden retriever, was by her side, offering his unwavering support and affection.
Finally, the long-awaited day arrived. Josie went into labor, and with the help of her dedicated medical team, she brought a beautiful baby girl into the world.
Her Baby Girl
As she cradled her newborn daughter in her arms for the first time, Josie was overcome with a sense of profound love and joy, knowing that her life would never be the same again.
From that day on, Josie's life revolved around her baby girl. She spent her days feeding, changing, and cuddling her little one. And Max was right there with them, always eager to offer his help and his love.
A Devoted Mother
As Josie looked at her family - her baby, and her dog - she knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be. She was a devoted mother, and she was grateful for every moment she got to spend with her precious little girl.
But one day, something changed in her dog’s behavior. It happened when she was changing her newborn.
A Change In Behavior
Max ran into the room as soon as Josie started changing her baby. The dog started barking at her. What was the problem? She tried calming him down, but nothing she did could get the dog to stop.
She knew she had to do something. She had heard of animals barking when something was wrong. A dog that belonged to a woman in Arizona barked at her because she had undiagnosed stage two cancer. She decided to go to the doctor and get her baby examined.
Examination Room
Josie sat nervously in the sterile examination room, her baby nestled in her lap. The doctor had just finished examining the child, but he looked troubled. He cleared his throat before speaking.
Josie's heart sank. She had noticed the same thing at home but had assumed it was just a coincidence. "What does it all mean, doctor?" she asked.
The Worst News
"Well, I don't want to alarm you, but it's possible that your baby is being harmed in some way during diaper changes. Sometimes babies can't communicate their discomfort, so they act out in other ways."
Josie felt a lump form in her throat. "What can I do?" She felt adrenaline rushing through her body.
Her Dog
The doctor paused, looking thoughtful. "This might sound a bit strange, but have you noticed your dog's behavior during diaper changes?" Josie was taken aback. "My dog? What does that have to do with anything?"
The doctor looked even more nervous. "It's just a theory, but sometimes dogs have a sixth sense about things. If your dog is barking when you change the baby's diaper, it's possible that he's trying to warn you of something."
Skeptical
Josie was skeptical but desperate for answers. She nodded slowly. "I do have a dog. He does bark sometimes when I change the baby's diaper."
The doctor leaned forward, his eyes intense. "Mrs. Johnson, I don't want to scare you, but I think you need to be very careful. It's possible that someone or something is harming your baby during diaper changes. You need to be vigilant and pay attention to any signs of distress."
Shaken
Josie left the doctor's office feeling shaken and scared. She didn't know what to make of the doctor's warning, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
When she got home, she resolved to pay close attention to her baby's behavior during diaper changes and to keep her dog close by. Who knew what he might sense that she couldn't?
Something In Her House
Josie got back home, determined to find out what was really going on. She felt like she was going crazy.
Then she remembered seeing something at the edge of her vision just a few days ago. Was that what was distressing her baby? She decided to go home and take a closer look.
Drawing It Out
Back at her home, Josie’s eyes darted around the baby’s room. She didn’t see anything concerning at first, but she knew it would only come out when she changed the baby.
Coincidentally, she’d have to change her baby in just a few moments. She knew Max would come running in and barking like clockwork. But this time, she would be ready to find whatever it was.
Seeing It Again
Back at her home, Josie’s eyes darted around the baby’s room. She didn’t see anything concerning at first, but she knew it would only come out when she changed the baby.
Coincidentally, she’d have to change her baby in just a few moments. She knew Max would come running in and barking like clockwork. But this time, she would be ready to find whatever it was.
Matted Fur
Finally, she managed to catch it before it made its way into an air vent. She stared at the animal she had in her hands. It was small and had brown matted fur. She couldn’t believe what it was.
It was a kitten. The poor thing looked hungry and scared. But the real question was how had it gotten into her apartment. But she was about to find out the truth behind everything.
Kitten
Josie took care of the animal for a few days but knew she needed answers. She went back to the hospital to tell the doctor what she had found. She hoped that she would finally find out what was going on.
Once she told her doctor what had happened, he looked pale and nervous again. Did he finally know what it was?
Back To The Doctor
“The kitten. Is it a tabby?” Josie nodded while raising an eyebrow. “There must have been a mixup. One of the faculty lost their kitten the day you left the hospital. She must have crawled into your baby carrier or one of your bags.” The doctor explained.
Everything finally made sense. But what about Max barking? Was it just because of the kitten? She was prepared to go home and bring the kitten back to its owner, but the doctor wasn’t done.
Working Out Perfectly
He quickly ran a test on Josie’s baby. He came to a startling conclusion. Her baby was allergic to cats. Was Max trying to protect her baby by barking at her? Either way, she was happy that she found out what was wrong with her baby.
She gave Max some extra love and affection as a reward. The kitten was given to its owner, and everything worked out perfectly for everyone.