"Ate"

Someone’s proud to be an ate!

Her eyes sparkle when she sees Tonyo. She follows us around when we’re carrying the baby. She sits patiently by my feet whenever I sit down with the baby. And, if we allow her, she sniffs attentively. Most amazing was when she didn’t attempt to jump up on the bed when Tonyo was there.

I’m talking about our dog, Mia. A few days before I gave birth, our dog, Mia was miserable. She hardly ate and she claimed our bathroom as her depression zone. When we asked her to go away (nobody wanted to pee with Mia looking at them with her sad eyes), she claimed a quiet corner and proceeded to “relocate” all her dog toys from her small bed to that area. We concluded the following: (1) She sensed that my mom was sick and that I was anxious, and (2) She sensed a major change coming.

When we got back from the hospital (no baby yet since he was in the NICU) , Mia was still miserable. Following a phone conversation with a Vet-friend, we realized that Mia might be jealous and is "feeling" the coming of the new baby. My friend told me to “include” Mia in all the excitement. And that was when we started calling her “Ate” and telling her things like…

“Ate, we have a baby brother coming okay? You will take care of him ha?” “Mia, you will be Ate to baby Tonyo okay? When he’s big already you will play!” “Ate, when baby comes you stay here okay? Maliit pa sya e, bawal pa play!”

– call us crazy but it seemed to work!

When we took Tonyo home, I saw none of the frantic barking from Mia that I was expecting! She welcomed us by standing on her hind legs, her tail wagging affectionately. She followed us around.. and when we entered our room (which has a makeshift “gate” so Mia can’t enter) , Mia peeked through the gate excitedly. Up to now, she sometimes brings her toys and stays by the door, as if patiently waiting for Tonyo to play with her.

Now, Mia responds to calls for “Ate”. She gives an apologetic look if she suddenly barks when Tonyo’s sleeping. Of course, we guard her well whenever we’re with Tonyo.. but we feel like they’re going to be good friends when baby grows up!

On the occasion of Tonyo’s first month-birth-sary, allow us to honor the proud Ate – Mia!