GingerBailey in Bed

With news of a baby on the way, we decided it was time to implement a new house rule: No dogs on the bed. Prior to the whole getting pregnant thing, the standing policy in the house was no dogs in bed when we’re sleeping, but anybody who wanted to lounge on the Tempur-Pedic was welcome to do so.

After a few weeks of gentle consistent reminders about the new policy, GingerBailey are finally starting to accept this rule as something we might be serious about.

Ginger is the 8 year old beagle-basset. Bailey is the 5 year old yellow lab. Together they are GingerBailey. They’re easier to talk to as one creature. Anybody who stays with us long enough will hear the same exclamations again and again: "GingerBailey, you ate my sandwich!” or “GingerBailey, it’s 4:30 in the morning – go to sleep!” or if Crystal’s talking, “GingerBailey, who wants to cuddle!!?” You get the idea.

One of the more daunting tasks on our long list of baby proofing preparations is to baby proof the dogs. We’re taking it as a challenge to refine…okay develop…a set of parenting skills as we actively work to undo all the behavior we laughed at, applauded and even encouraged in GingerBailey.

No longer is it acceptable to do running long jumps over us as we sit on the couch. No longer does a fly in the house warrant mad fits of barking that would make neighbors think somebody’s tail was on fire. And yes, no dogs in bed.