There is a totem pole in any given house that ranks the priority of pets. This totem pole was simple to understand when Kate and I only had Houdini. The once-svelte, now plus-sized model of a cat, ruled our North End apartment in Boston. She sat atop the totem pole, prior to eating it.

Houdini even maintained her status as top pet (how is that not a reality show featuring pets that live in a house together and compete in daily challenges?) when Charlie the dog arrived after we moved to Kansas City, MO. It helped that she outweighed Charlie the puppy and that had a slight edge in intelligence -- recently locking herself in our closet notwithstanding.

But the totem pole has been reshaped again with the arrival of Charlotte the baby. Houdini has lost her top spot and Charlie has been relegated to the bottom. In fact, for all intents and purposes we are now operating with two completely separate totem poles, but since we value efficiency and are now on a budget to save the $700,000 it will cost to send Charlotte to Brown University -- one virtual totem pole will do.

But this week has been partly about introducing our pets to their new child overlord. Houdini was first, given her elevated stature and resemblance to the oversized matriarchs that ruled primitive societies.



Houdini offered up the reaction that one would expect of a feline expecting to be in charge. Kate sat down on my office chair and stroked the side of the animal that lay covering half of my desk. Houdini briefly sniffed the new person in Kate's arms, before rubbing her head and nose against our swaddled baby. This was repeated twice. Now that Houdini has satisfactorily claimed Charlotte -- she has moved to a policy of nonviolent direct action -- passively ignoring her. Houdini continues to sleep on Kate's head, unwilling to recognize the winds of change.



As for Charlie the dog, her introduction was more measured. After some time in the backyard, Charlie was quarantined in the exercise room. A dance of sniffing, sitting, and treating occurred as Charlie was allowed to smell Charlotte over and through a baby gate. About 20 minutes later, we let her into the living room. At the end of the evening, the following scene played out. Moments after this, baby and dog were fast asleep on either side of me. Charlie is apparently just glad to be picked for the game, even if she is being picked last. She will however eat a red, rubber kickball if given the opportunity.