Getting in Touch with the Pure At Heart

Being around a small child can really open your eyes to how significant every little thing is in the world. They notice everything. They are little sponges, and they copy everything you do. My niece, Stella, is just under 11 months old and she spent some time with me at my house today. While the video might seem boring to some, watch how excited she is when my dogs move and how fast she can repeat things when I make noises that she can copy.

I also noticed today, aside from this little video, that when she's happy, she's really happy. When she is uncomfortable, she makes no bones about letting you know, but the minute it's all better, she's forgotten about it and she's really happy again. Boy, how we adults could learn from that.

Try hanging out with a little person and see if it doesn't change your perspective on things a little bit. You'll pay attention to your surroundings more because they'll point everything out to you as if they're seeing it for the first time...because they are. They'll crack you up in ways you have never laughed, and when they cry, you'll do anything to make it go away and bring their little smile back as fast as you can.

I have to say, too, that I had a little worry in the back of my mind about whether my dogs would be good around a baby. I knew it'd be fine, but you just worry. My Luther is always a lovebug, sometimes a little too much of a lovebug. True to form, he tried to love Stella so much that while it was sweet 95% of the time, he did knock her over trying to snuggle her once. He doesn't realize he's so big. :) Laney was the real worry for me. She's a Cattle Dog and they're a little offstandish at times, and really a one-person dog. However, Laney's maternal instinct kicked in full force and wow did she become a protective mama to Stella. She didn't leave Stella's side at all, not once. Even after the baby went home, Laney went from room to room trying to find her. I even got some good shots of Laney (very hard to do because she isn't friendly to the camera) when she was protecting Stella. I guess even dogs know that little ones are pure at heart.