When Xander falls, he falls hard. He has zero defense against soft fluffy baby chicks.

Love at first sight for my big boy!

Four years ago, with Xander’s first flock, he turned overnight into hyper-vigilant big brother. Every morning, first thing, he had to run outside to check on the babies.

Fast forward to now, same thing.

Morning after the chicks arrived and I’m getting everybody’s breakfast ready. I realize Xander has not come into the kitchen so I call for him and hear a faint whine from the landing. He’s standing next to the door to the laundry room, tail flagged and waving while that hopeful grin spreads across his face. He whines again and…lifts his front paw, dragging it down the last four inches of the door. Nails scraped lightly and he whines again.

Xander never scratches at doors.

The only other time Xander has ever stood at that door, whining to go out was four years ago. The last time new chicks came home.

Can’t say I blame him. They are ridiculously cute at this age.

Those first few days and nights, Xander once again, had to check on them multiple times a day. Which was not exactly convenient for this work-from-home gal. I finally had to set the boundaries and told him.

“Look, they’re fine since you checked them last. You can lay there and literally see their enclosure. I’m not jumping up every 3o minutes just because they started peeping. Again!”

He did his best to try and guilt me, heaving a mournful sigh and laying on the landing between the kitchen and basement. He had to curl his big body awkwardly, so he could gaze through the glass door at the box holding his precious little ones.

On the inside though, I was so proud, seeing him get all anxious and protective. I melted. Guilty!

“I promise though when I’m done working I’ll take you out and let you see them.”

His tail thumped, echoing on the wooden floor of the landing. The wave of love that echoed back between our bond said everything.

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Have you ever seen a more besotted face? For real, check out my boy…