I got my first pup (a 5mo. old Setter) for my 9th B-day. She was last of her litter & had been kenneled, so at first she was a wild one. First night she raised hell when left alone. Second night, she was let in my room & slept on my bed till I was about 15. That's when I moved to an upper bunk and Jon, my little brother (12 yrs. younger), got the lower and the the dog. Just as well, by 15, I was about 6' and room at the end of the bed was limited.
When Jon was born, we had just placed the last of my setter, Bridget's puppies. (The only time she was bred.) Bridget then took over my brother Jon, as if he was one of her pups. As a baby & toddler, in the house or outside, she would always be where she could watch him. Not intruding, but always laying there nearby, watching that he was OK.
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