Day Three Hundred Sixty Four

New Pack Member

For security reasons, I try not to post names and pictures of my grandchildren - or anyone for that matter. I certainly don't need to provide material to those with ill intent. The photos I have posted are already public domain. I have also been careful to choose pictures that do not show all of a child's face. I wish the world wasn't this way, because I would love to post pictures of my family's newest "pack member "- my cousin's granddaughter!


Baby A was born a few weeks ago, about a month early. She was anxious to be in the world and meet her Mom and Dad. She's adorable - and being a bit of preemie means nothing to this little Warrior Princess. It's plain to see, she is a special little girl. I hope to meet her someday.

You see, all of my extended family members live in Pennsylvania. We were all busy, especially during the years when we were working and raising our children. That meant staying close, with a thousand miles between us, was sort of a challenge. It's one of my biggest regrets.

Thanks to the advent of social media, I have sort of made up for lost time by getting to know the children of my cousins. I know, they are second cousins. Which makes Baby A a third cousin? Is that right? I'm not a whiz when it comes to genealogy. All I know is, she's family.- and a member of our pack.

Now, A's parents have rescued quite a few animals. (Yes, it does run in the family.) They have five dogs and a cat. Anyway, they sent me the sweetest picture yesterday of one of their fur kids planting a big old kiss on A while she was sleeping on her daddy's lap.

That picture made me so happy because, most first time parents are understandably protective and focused on the new arrival. Sometimes, the fur babies aren't allowed near the newbie. However, studies have shown, children raised among dogs, cats and other animals benefit enormously from those relationships.

This poor baby doesn't have any fur!
We'll just have to keep her warm.

 

This is our baby, right Dad?

 

I'll teach you a high five when you're older.

 

Don't worry kid. I've got your back.

For example, they have fewer allergies than children in non-animal households. There is a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association on this subject. If you want to read the whole article it is posted on the CBS news website.

Some of the Study Findings

• Cat allergies: 15.5 percent of the children without a dog or cat in the home were allergic to cats, compared to 11.6 percent with one cat or dog and 7.7 percent with two or more pets in their home.
  
• Dog allergies: 8.6 percent of the children without a dog or cat in the home were allergic to dogs, compared to 3.5 percent with one cat or dog and 2.6 percent with two or more pets in their home.
  
• Atopy (positive test to any of several common allergens including cat, dog and grass): 33.6 percent of children were allergic without exposure to dogs or cats, compared to 15.4 percent allergic with regular exposure to two or more of the animals. The exception here was a slight increase in allergies - from 33.6 to 34.3 percent - for children exposed to only one dog or cat.

See, I'm not just about snarky comments and animal anecdotes. Sometimes I provide important information. Anyway, I doubt Baby A will have to worry about allergies or anyone trying to mess with her. She belongs to several "packs" now and they take care of each other.

Sleep tight, baby. We're here to keep you safe.