Buddies

One of Jason's and my biggest concerns before Charlie was born was the impact that it would all have on Otis, and we were not encouraged by the  projectile vomiting at 4 AM the morning I went into labor. 

Over the first few weeks Otis' curiosity turned into annoyance, then ambivalence.  Then once Charlie started playing on the floor, Otis' interest was peaked again.  He started bringing Charlie toys to play fetch and looking back and forth between me and Charlie confused that Charlie wouldn't throw them.  It was great.  Then when Jason and I finally relented and allowed Otis to give Charlie kisses on the hands and feet, they were both thrilled. 

By 2 months or so, Otis displayed an affectionate and protective, brotherly love for Charlie.  Granted, he still despised me and Jason, but he started to love Charlie.  Nowadays, if Charlie is crying Otis will sit outside his room and pout until he stops, and the first thing Otis does when we let him out of our room or when he comes in from outside is track down the baby.  Charlie is definitely his top priority.

Every morning the three of us go for a walk, and in the past few days Charlie has started to grab the leash handle to help.  Then when we get home, we all play on the floor, and amazingly, Otis does not bother Charlie's toys.  Charlie, on the other hand, loves Otis' toys and will chase him around the living room for them.  It's hilarious.  Otis will move about 2 feet, wait for Charlie to army crawl over, let Charlie get one hand on the toy, then pick it up, move 2 feet and the whole game starts over.  This typically goes on for about 5 minutes or so (quite a while in baby time) until Otis gets bored and leaves the toy for Charlie.

Our only close call so far was when Charlie got Otis' ear.  It all seemed to happen in slow motion.  We were practicing petting when Charlie grabbed hold of Otis' ear and started to pull and twist.  I was sitting right there, but didn't react quickly enough to stop him.   Otis yelped and reared back, then just sat there.  I was shocked.  He didn't nip or bite or run away, he just sat and waited while I peeled back Charlie's fingers.  It was a huge relief, because I had visions of a dog bite, trip to the hospital, figuring out what to do with Otis, etc. flashing through my head.  In retrospect, I think it was great that it happened.  Now Otis maintains just enough distance from Charlie to ensure that he doesn't get grabbed, which is safer for both of them.

I've been telling Otis for months that it's all going to work out and that whether he believes it or not, he and Charlie are going to be best friends.  I think he might finally be starting to believe me...not forgive me, but believe me. 

"Is this really all he does?"

"Just throw the lizard, kid, it's easy..."

"Hmmm...mighty furry big brother I have..."

"How come everybody gets sunglasses but me?"

"It's my turn to drive.  Otis had his turn."

"Almost there..."

"Care to share?"