The kids have been asking me to write about our pet dog for a while now. I finally have time to do it properly. About 2 years ago, just as the kids had almost talked me into getting a cat, we learned that Chris was allergic to cat and dog hair. :( So unless we moved to someplace with a large yard, where the dog can stay outside all the time, it didn't look good. The kids were very disappointed for a while. I even remember there being talk of kicking Papa out of the family so they could get a dog, but of course, they weren't really serious. Everyone always says that kids are resilient and adaptable, and it is very true in this case.
Since they couldn't get a real dog, they did the next best thing. They turned their baby sister into a pet dog! Woofie, as she is called when in dog mode, is the most obedient, loving dog ever. They taught her to do several tricks, such as rolling over, speaking, and shaking paws, and after each trick she is rewarded with an imaginary bone which she happily gobbles up. She rubs your leg with her head so you will pet her, and loves to play fetch over and over. All they have to do is call out, "Woofie!" and she immediately comes panting over on all fours, barking and "wagging" her tail. Obviously, it doesn't bother her to be treated in this manner. In fact, she adores the extra attention that is lavished on her as their pet AND as their baby sister.