“It’s like he understood that she’s not just some toy laying around.”
Taco, a 3-year-old golden retriever, has been by Vanora’s side since the day she arrived home.
“When we would lay her down on the floor or on our bed, Taco would just lay down next to her,” Vanora and Taco’s mother, Claudia Hughes, told us.
Taco became Vanora’s nanny in a way, always attentive to her needs.
“He would be right there with us when we woke up in the middle of the night to feed her,” Hughes recalled.
Taco was also ecstatic with Vanora’s new achievements, such as when she began greeting him in the mornings by clinging onto her crib bars. Nothing, however, thrilled Taco more than the realization that his one-year-old sister could now walk.
Taco’s reaction to Vanora’s first steps can be seen here:
@mostlyadorable It’s fun having each other 🐾👶🏻. #dogsandbabies #goldensandbabies #babiesoftiktok #dogsoftiktokviral #SmoothLikeNitroPepsi ♬ Home – Edith Whiskers
Vanora’s walking didn’t come overnight, and Taco was just as thrilled to applaud each of her tries as she learnt.
“Taco started becoming really enthusiastic as soon as Vanora started taking some steps with a baby walker,” Hughes recalled.
Taco, according to Hughes, began bouncing from side to side whenever he saw Vanora pushing her walker.
Taco’s joy skyrocketed when he realized Vanora could walk, but he understood to remain a safe distance from the toddler when his eagerness peaked. “Taco would lick her, then go have some zoomies, then come back and lick her,” Hughes explained.
Taco isn’t the only one in the Hughes household learning how to be nice with their brother.
According to Hughes, it was equally crucial for Vanora to learn how to treat Taco with respect. “We’ve taught Vanora that we hug Taco, pet him lovingly, and kiss him on the head,” Hughes added. “However, if we get angry at him, we don’t hit him.”
Taco and his sister have discovered new ways to engage with each other now that Vanora can walk, such as dashing around their kitchen island together playing hide-and-seek. Whatever the game or milestone may be, Taco will undoubtedly be a proud participant.
“We felt like he could be the dog for our family and that he would be good to our future children,” Hughes said of Taco. “He is far more than that.” He’s constantly present.”
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