We were very close to giving our dog away, and I’m not proud to admit it.
I had just taken our newborn daughter, Zoey, home with my wife, Rose. We finally had her in our arms after years of trying. Perfect, little, everything we could have imagined. In a manner it had never felt before, our little Austin home seemed whole.
However, that joy was subtly diminished by something.
Beau, our golden retriever.
He had always been the happiest, best-behaved dog you could think of. Kind, devoted, and ready to please. But lately, there had been a change in him. He began to follow Rose everywhere she went, following her like a shadow. And Beau set up shop next to the crib when Zoey got there. He wouldn’t abandon her. Never once.
We initially found it adorable. shielding and even consoling. However, things seemed to become worse after that.
Claire, the babysitter we hired, helped us deal with our weariness. However, Beau prevented her from approaching Zoey. He snarled. barked. He even flashed his teeth at one point. Every time she visited, Claire started sending anxious messages expressing her fear that he could bite her. We were exhausted, overburdened, and struggling with the ongoing anxiety that comes with being new parents.
I still adored that dog, though. Together, we had saved him. He had been a part of our marriage from the start. However, I could see Rose’s dread when I glanced at her now. What if he becomes uncontrollable one day?
My daughter’s safety had to come first, even if the guilt tore at me.
Then Rose and I went out for a quick meal last Friday night. For the first time in months, we were by ourselves. Zoey and Claire were at home. Before my phone rang, everything appeared to be usual.
Claire was in a panic.
“BEAU WENT CRAZY WHEN I PICKED UP ZOEY! HE TRIED TO ATTACK ME!”
We hurried back home. Zoey was cradled in Claire’s arms as she sat in the living room chair, shaking. Although I was aware of Beau’s odd behavior, it seemed like a boundary had been crossed.
I immediately walked to the cupboard in the corridor where the security system monitor is kept. I had to see exactly what had transpired.
I opened the video from the camera in the living room.
My blood chilled at what I saw.
Claire was humming gently while pacing while holding Zoey. Beau sat calmly but attentively at the crib.
I froze when she looked at her phone, seemingly to check something.
She took a pillow off the couch and covered Zoey’s face with it.
Beau was on the other side of the room. But he shot forward in an instant.
Not in her face. Not in a crazy frenzy. He immediately grabbed for the wrist that held the cushion.
He growled, barked, and tightened his grip just enough to pull her arm away. Thank God, Zoey started sobbing right away. The cushion fell to the ground, causing Claire to shriek and stumble back.
She made the call at that point.
She had told a falsehood.
There was no attack on her. They stopped her.
With my hands shaking, I looked at the screen in disbelief. Rose gasped behind me.
Beau was sitting peacefully by the crib once more, staring at our daughter, and we both turned to face him. I had her, as he was saying.
The ensuing hours blended together. They phoned the police. Claire was questioned. She muttered that she was exhausted and that she wanted Zoey to go to sleep, but the video did the talking.
They charged her.
Beau, too? He spent the entire night snuggled up next to Zoey’s crib. A silent guardian who never sought attention—just a purpose.
We purchased him a new bed, filled up on his favorite treats, and brought him to the veterinarian for a thorough examination the following morning. I muttered, “I’m so sorry I doubted you,” as I sat next to him and caressed his ears.
He put his head on my knee and gave me one of those gentle, satisfied huffs.
We nearly gave up on him.
However, he never once gave up on us.