If doodle #1 could talk, what would he say about doodle #2?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Murphy is just lounging near the hall, waiting for his dad to come back in from the garage. He lifts his head as Bella walks by, then lays back down. "Oh, it's you". "I'm waiting for MY dad, go find some tissue or socks or whatever it is you DO"

 Bella pounces on his back and the "play" wrestling begins. Murphy looks at me with a look of "REALLY Mom!" "WHY did you do this to me?"

Soon Bella tires of this play and runs to the door and waits to go out. Murphy jumps on the couch to be near me and I feel he is sad and resolved, but not happy with his new living arrangements.

Then Bella comes in and Murphy brings her a stuffed toy and they seem happy and playful and engaged. They are in their own little dog play world and are doing what brothers and sisters do....tease, chase, pull, tug, nip and talk to each other. They lay down in unison, bark at the same things, pee and poop at the same time, eat together, respect each others special places in the house, seek each other out when they are at the dog park, sit side by side and learn new tricks for treats together.

 Bella is learning how to remain calm and "stay" at the front door when it opens, and Murphy right next to her, sits tall with his chest all puffed up. He looks proud, as though he is responsible for her good behavior. 'Watch me little pup, I will show you how it's done and then we both get treats".

Bella finds a book to eat and Murphy stands over her, watching, looking anxiously at me and back to her...he is warning her..."better put that down it's not a "good girl" thing to do." She leaves it and runs up to me, coyish and sweet, begging forgivenss and Murphy just wanders over to me, with a look of maturity and awareness.

 I can sense he is secure in the fact that he is always going to be my #1 doodle, that he has a very special place in my heart. He looks on as I scold Bella for the book, lays back down in the hall waiting for his dad and sighs...."Hummppphhh"....." it's a hard job keeping this little one in line, but someone has to do it". Maybe this big brother job ain;t so bad after all.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I think this is just the greatest description. It reminds me of any older brother with a pesky younger sibling. :-)

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Hi Murphy...I know exactly how you feel.  My parents added Simba to our household and a little brother can be just as annoying.  He doesn't get that when my mom says Whopper come night night, that is my special time on the bed with her.  And when I have selected the right antler for the moment, he thinks he's entitled to that very same one and will cry and cry and cry.  He really can be such a baby.  Just keep letting her know you're the boss and take advantage of the playmate when YOU are in the mood to play/cuddle/or do anything else that requires her participation. 

[Leslie and Halas]

He sounds like a great big brother!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think you captured Murphy's thoughts about his little sister perfectly!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I have been told that MANY times.  Thank you.

[Sally]

You should write a book. This made me want more chapters.