Kaloo, Otto and baby make three

There are a lot of changes going on in my family right now. Everyone can feel it… There’s baby fever in the house. I’ve taken to following my mom around, making sure she’s safe and protected. I always place my head on her lap and on her belly so I can listen to the baby bump around in there. We’re all excited and anxious at the same time. I know I’m going to watch over the baby and be really gentle, but I also know how hard it is to adjust. You see, I grew up surrounded by brothers and sisters, then when I moved to Manila, I still had a big family. When my two adopted older sisters passed away, I was incredibly sad. I became needy, clingy; I needed constant attention. So my mom and dad thought it was good to get me a little brother. As happy as I was to have him, in the beginning I had to get used to sharing attention again: to not be jealous, to share my toys, to learn how to be the older sister for once and not the young, carefree one.

Otto was a perfect fit from the start. He followed me everywhere, copied everything I did and brought a lot of joy to the house. In light of the upcoming baby arrival, I thought it would be nice to chat with my cheeky little brother on how he feels about the new baby coming along.

Name: Otto Graf von Canopus — my parents thought of giving me such a grand name because my breed looks so distinguished. But they soon learned that I was more a scruffy, fun-loving and mischievous type, so they actually call me Ottolino or Otto for short.

Breed: Schnauzer

Age: 10 months

KALOO: Describe yourself in three words. Try not to flatter yourself too much.

OTTO: Cheerful, affectionate and adventurous!

Describe family life with Mom, Dad and I.

Well, you know very well that from the very beginning I always felt right at home. I never cried once and really knew that I belonged here. I loved to follow you around and you definitely taught me the best way to lie down! All flat with legs spread open like a gecko to maximize the coolness of the tile floors. It’s fun being the little one. You get to be carefree and I got to learn fast all the do’s and don’ts by just copying what you do.

There are days I want to be a big dog like you! That’s why I bark a lot at strangers, to show them just because I’m little doesn’t mean I’m afraid. They have to know who’s boss. But I secretly enjoy being little because Mom and Dad pick me up in their arms all the time. I love letting everything dangle about. I get lots of snuggles. So I always feel loved. They always talk to me like I’m a person and I try to talk back, too. Haven’t mastered their language yet, though.

You and I know that we will no longer be the only babies in the house. I’m sure you’ve heard what’s going on in Mommy’s belly lately. How do you feel about that? I mean, I had to adjust to you being around; you were such a pest but a really cute one!

I knew you couldn’t resist my cute face, but yeah, I kind of figured something was up when I was lying down across Mom’s belly and something kicked me. And then you kind of explained what was what. To be honest, I really don’t know what to expect! Of course I’m excited to have like a little best buddy who’ll be home all the time and we can go on adventures together, but my gosh, he’ll be so small for so long I’ll be too excited to play! It’ll be hard to wait till he can play with me. But yeah, I hope he’ll recognize my voice from all my barking and arfing so he won’t be afraid when he comes home.

Name one time you got into major trouble and how you got out of it.

Oh, c’mon. Do I really have to say? You’re embarrassing me.

Yes, you do. You agreed to do this, remember?

Fine, fine. Well, I had finally discovered how to jump onto the sofa … I love it because it gives me the impression that I’m, like, super-tall. I was rolling about the sofa and, well, my tummy wasn’t feeling so good and I let one go. Ack. I pooped everywhere. And it wasn’t pretty. They got super-mad at me but because they saw it was, like, I had an upset tummy, it didn’t last very long.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Well, usually I get up later than you. I don’t know how you wake up at 4:30 every day! It’s so nice and cozy in our beds in the room. I get up around 6 a.m, jump about on either side of Mom and Dad’s bed to see which one will wake up first to let me out. Then I run to the kitchen and off to the garden to do my business. I like coming back into the room at around 7:30 a.m., scratch at the door to get some morning hugs. Sometimes I’ll stay and play in your bed for a bit. And sometimes, I…

Did I hear you right? You romp about my bed when I’m not there?!

You know I do! I sleep on your pillow, bite your blanket, roll around in everything!

Of course I know you do! You’re lucky I let you.

Anyways, so after that we usually have our morning walks, then I’ll stay outside and hang around on the front lawn of the house. I have a special tree I like to lie under. It’s the perfect spot to hide from unsuspecting victims. When random people drop by, I pop out of nowhere, barking away! Usually late afternoons after our second walk, Mom gets back and we hang with her in the kitchen. Hoping yummy stuff will fall for us to eat. And when Dad gets back and we all have dinner together, he takes us out to the garden so we can go crazy and play! Then we all settle in the room, they make us rehearse our tricks for a little treat before tucking us into bed. I love bugging you in your bed first before snuggling into mine to sleep!

What are your fave hobbies?

I like to play the guard dog. I take that job real seriously. I think you’re a bit too nice with people. Someone’s got to be the man of the house! And for fun, I love hanging in the garden! I have my own side of the jungle and you have yours. And since you’ve stolen all my toys so far and hidden them, I’ve become pretty good at taking yours when you’re not looking and teasing you. It’s so much fun when you have to chase after me! Then when I get too tired, I love to roll around in the grass and eat it.

I did notice that. Why do you eat so much grass?

I have a sensitive tummy. I’m not built like you; you can eat anything! And I’m pretty jealous of that. The grass helps me digest and, well, keeps my breath nice and fresh!

If you could have anything in the world, even “forbidden” stuff, what would be your ultimate meal?

You know I would love some cheese or chicken or steak! But all of those turn my stomach! I’m super-happy when you give me a milk-bone biscuit or some Wasa crackers!

Describe your dream vacation and where it would be.

I definitely would like to go to a forest! A place where there are lots of trees and bushes so we can play hide and seek. I want to be able to scamper around, find twigs, roll in the flowers… I heard Germany is beautiful! That’s where Grandma is from and I’d love to meet her cat.

What would be your ultimate happy moment?

I think it would have to be at night, right before the lights turn off when they tuck us into bed. I see you all snuggled and happy. I’m all snuggled and happy. We get our goodnight treats and kisses. Then Mom and Dad snuggle in their big bed and watch movies. It feels so nice and cozy and full of love. Wouldn’t you agree?

Absolutely!