When our golden retriever Beau started barking at our new nanny, we thought he was just struggling to adjust. Beau had always been the friendliest dog—gentle, affectionate, and known for greeting visitors with wagging tails. But the way he reacted to Claire, our new caregiver, was different. He growled. He barked. He even positioned himself protectively between her and our baby daughter, Zoey. It worried us. So much so, we began to wonder if rehoming him was the right choice.
We had welcomed Zoey into our lives after years of hoping, waiting, and heartbreak. She was our miracle—our joy. From the start, Beau stayed close to her crib like a loyal guardian. But his sudden behavior shift after Claire arrived left us confused.
Claire came highly recommended—professional, warm, and adored by her previous employers. We trusted her immediately. But Beau didn’t. He grew more anxious each day she was around, especially when she approached Zoey. Claire started texting us during the day, concerned. “Beau won’t let me near her,” she wrote. “Maybe keep him in another room next time?”
As new parents, exhausted and overwhelmed, we started to believe she might be right.
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