I grew up with toy poodles who were like little humans, too, but Archie is the first dog I've ever had that was mine alone, so I am even more bonded to him than I was those wonderful family dogs. It's true -- Archie is like having a crazy two-year-old in the house: he doesn't come when called or answer to his name or respond to No!; he has pee-pee accidents and gets into things that he shouldn't. He also climbs up my body and onto my shoulder to take a nap when he is sleepy; snuggles close to me when he's playing with a toy; lays on his back and looks up at me adoringly; and stares anxiously at the door if I hand him to someone to hold and then leave the room. It really is a mother-child bond in so many ways -- I really do feel like I'm his mother! And, like moms of human kids, I get exhasperated with him plenty -- but I love him unconditionally.
