Canine Sibling Rivalry

Tonight I lay down with the boys. "The boys," this evening, happened to consist of Ian, Daniel and Golden, a daffy little white puppy whom Ian considers to be his son. The girls were in the other room, as is their wont - Amy, Madeleine and Ruthie, a she-canine. I was stroking Golden's shaggy little head and petting him, when Daniel announced, in a classic powty little guilt-grenade: "Sometimes I think you love Golden more than me!"

I elected to misconstrue the syntax of young Daniel's accusation, quite willfully: "But don't you love Golden?!"

Daniel nodded, in a brief concession, but got right back to the agenda, with more clarity, and exactly the same whine-melody: "Sometimes I think you love Golden more than you love me!"

I became more perverse: But don't you think Golden is wonderful?! Don't you just love him, love him, love him.

Daniel acknowledged all of the above, and returned to the talking point.

Finally, I reassured Daniel that I love him much more than I love "some old dog."

The loved one quickly went to sleep, probably somewhat reassured. And so did that wonderful dog...

(December 13, 2011)