After many a sleepless night, my son has finally become a pretty good sleeper. (I know, feel free to make disparaging comments about me if your baby is not sleeping well at the moment. Are you done? Okay, can I go on now? Great. Where was I?)

Oh, right Baby MB has become a pretty good sleeper, but I still try to keep things quiet for daytime naps. My dog? Not so much. As soon as the baby dozes off, the dog morphs from laidback couch dog to hyper-vigilant guard dog, determined to protect us from any potential dangers.

Here is a sampling of Hazel’s thoughts when her brother is awake:

Hmm, wonder if there are treats. I love treats. Ooh, a stick. Is it time for belly rubs? Oh boy!

And Hazel when her brother is asleep:

How can he sleep when nothing is safe?!! I must warn the people of all potential threats now!

What threats, you ask? Well that depends on whether the baby is awake or asleep.

See for yourselves.

Things my dog barks at when the baby is asleep:

Leaves

Shadows

Her own snoring

Any deliveries

Doorbell sounds on the TV

Car sounds on the TV

Dog sounds on the TV

Dogs walking by outside

Car doors shutting

Cars stopping (Did I mention that we have a stop sign outside our house?)

Squirrels

Birds

Creaks

Neighbour’s cat (She is very afraid of cats.)

Neighbours leaving their porch

Neighbours sitting on their porch

The neighbour’s porch

The phone

The mail

The dishes clinking

Ice in my drink clinking

Things my dog barks at when the baby is awake:

Delivery people

I think she knows exactly what she is doing.  She has figured out that she is not going on a walk until her brother is awake, and so she must bark at all things until she wakes him up.

Well played dog. Luckily I have raised her from a puppy and I know that her silence can be bought with a couple of frozen bones. Nap away, baby boy, nap away.