Toddlers

Discussion in 'Labrador Behavior' started by Harley Quinn, Sep 21, 2017.

  1. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn Registered Users

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    As I have said many times before, Harley is our first dog in adulthood. And I have read how incredible dogs can be with children, especially children with challenges. I don't work with young children in my job at the moment and previously I have only worked with children from about 5 years of age. I don't have much experience with toddlers. But I have noticed that when I am walking Harley, if she spots children she really wants to go to them. But it is not something I allow because she still jumps a little and I would hate her to bowl over a little person.
    The other day we went to see someone and they have a 18 month old, lovely little girl who has been diagnosed with childhood epilepsy just this week. She was very used to dogs but was drowsy and still recovering from a week of seizures and adjusting to her medication. Unexpectedly she was in Harley's company with Harley off leash. Of course Harley spots her and wiggles and waggles over to her. The little one is sitting on the ground. Harley lay down on her stomach, exactly as she does when she meets a new dog and gently presses her nose into the toddlers hand. It was so INCREDIBLY precious. I can not explain how emotional I was seeing her interact with this child. Geez she is special! We have socialised her with children but we don't have many in our lives so she just read the situation beautifully and adjusted. For the rest of the visit she kept checking in, gently, with the little girl. She would play and run with DH and then dart off and give the girl a love and then come back. I know she sensed that this precious little girl wasnt feeling 100% but I just love how much love she has in her yellow lab body.
    #soinlovewithharley
     
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  2. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

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    They sense it , I know they do ! Sam loves children too , and like yourself , I`m always worried that he might be too full on with the very small people , but he never is . My young grandson, now nine years old, has grown up with Sam who is now six and a half . My grandson suffered a traumatic event and elected to be mute for a while, but he would talk to Sam who became his confidente , helping him to heal I`m sure . Its so touching to see our lovely Labs showing such care and I am sure that Harley knew about the epilepsy , they are so compassionate and clever x
     
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  3. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn Registered Users

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    Kate it is so incredibly beautiful that your grandson would speak with Sam. Sam is such a lovely soul, I am so excited to see how Harley grows. I am already so blown away by her that it is hard to describe.
     
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  4. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

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    P.S. and doesn't it just make you love them even more !
     
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  5. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn Registered Users

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    Absolutely! She just has new ways of crawling into my heart all the time.
     
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