I was the smallest in the family! I was the baby!

So why was everyone suddenly calling some other pup the baby?

"Awww baby Melia's laughing!" "Awww look at her tiny hands"

I yip and howl for the attention but they have been crowding around this new pup the whole afternoon! I can't even see my competition here!

Suddenly I hear the most high pitched scream, not pup-like at all! The new 'baby' sounds more like the cat living next door. She screams like that when I try to chase after her.

The new baby must be an imposter!

The others need to know! I tried to get their attention, jumping and zooming around, barking as loudly as possible.

No one even heard me! Not even old gramma who tells me to shut up while picking me up.

I'm not half as loud as that new 'pup'!?

I slow down. My chest hurt for some reason. I'm not the baby anymore. I'm just a pup to them.

I stood in the spot and let out a long howl. Hoping it would at least reach the ears of these loved ones of mine.

"Oh! We should let her meet Xavier!" I finally hear Mat say. Yes! I knew I could rely on Mat who always gives me the most treats to remember me!

Let me meet this new pup already!

Mama walked over to the couch as I followed dutifully, already planning my most fearsome growl. I'm not a fighter, but I can't lose my spot in this family!

After sitting she leaned forward to show me the new pup. I stood up, paws on the couch as I leaned in too.

The new pup!

She was so tiny!?

Her eyes were so big as they looked up at me, like she saw a giant bone in the yard. She had no fur. Even less than Mat!

The new baby isn't a pup! I started yipping and running around the living room. She's a tiny tiny human!

"Down Xavier! You're supposed to say hello to the baby!"

"He's excited!"

I run back to see the 'not-pup' again! Who knew humans could be this tiny!

It was still stealing my spot too!

"Now why are you growling!?"

The baby seemed to ignore mama's scolding at me, instead opting to smile. She laughed and raised her hands. Tiny hands! Her hands were so tiny.

I licked it a little and got pulled back, "sorry bud she's a bit too young to be licked yet." I heard papa say.

So she's a weak little baby? Not like me at all. I make my way back to the couch, this time obediently watching. I don't think she could see me, but she keeps watching. She makes weird little barking sounds too. I don't understand them.

Mama suddenly started petting me, a kind smile on her face. So she stills smiles at me like that.

"This is our newest family member, be sure to protect her."

Protect?

I look down at the tiny little thing, barely even human and not even a pup. She can't even walk. She can't even roll over like I do! I have to protect her!

Protector!

I start running around again with newfound determination as mama again called to me to stop as Mat laughed.

I won't be the baby of the family anymore. I'm gonna be the protector of the baby!

Forever!