The Fur Baby and the Baby
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Pets, Pets, Pets
By Mary-Lane Kamberg

You can be the moon and still be jealous of the stars.
~Gary Allan

We had lived in a no-pets-allowed rental apartment. So, when my husband Ken and I moved into our own house, the first thing I wanted was a dog. We visited a shelter and picked out a male Terrier mix. Since he was black and white like a police car, we named him Bumper Morgan after our favorite police character in a novel we both enjoyed.

Bumper was smart. Using treats as rewards, I quickly taught him to shake, beg, lie down, and roll over. He slept on our bed and loved it when I scratched his back. We went on rides in the car and played fetch with a tennis ball in the backyard. When I got pregnant the next year, I petted Bumper as he snuggled against my growing belly. (Keep reading)