When Taylor Cook went to her baby Espy’s room at 3 a.m. to feed her before going to bed, she never expected to find an extra “guest” in the nursery. “I was scared half to death when I first walked in,” Cook told Newsweek. The unexpected sight? Her dog, Lee, snoozing comfortably on Espy’s changing table.
“I thought at the time he was in my bedroom on his dog bed where he usually is at night,” Cook said. “He’s never done this before; it was totally random.”
Cook knew she had to capture the moment. “I ran to my bedroom to grab my phone because I knew it was too funny not to get a video.” The now-viral TikTok, posted under her handle @tc9768157, has amassed over 16 million views.
@tc9768157 I thought I was dreaming 🤣
♬ original sound – Taylor Cook
A dog adjusting to a new sibling
Lee, who joined Cook’s family in May 2023 when she met her boyfriend, has been Cook’s constant companion ever since. “He was just a little puppy,” she said. “We became so attached to each other when I was pregnant—he would go literally everywhere with me, and we did everything together.”
But things have changed since baby Espy arrived, leaving Lee to adjust to not being the center of attention. “He’s such a big baby in general,” Cook said, “I think he gets jealous he’s not the only baby anymore and tries to do things like his sister, such as going on the changing table.”
Lee has even taken baby mimicry to new heights. “We’ve caught him with pacifiers in his mouth multiple times and have had to throw so many away,” Cook shared.
TikTok users can’t get enough of the story. Comments poured in:
- “My dog was just like this when we brought our baby home—it’s hilarious and sweet at the same time!” wrote @parenting_with_paws.
- @kelsey_lovepaws joked, “Lee said, ‘If the baby can have the premium spot, so can I!’”
- “He’s definitely claiming his place as first-born,” added @dogmom_daily.
Related: 5 tips for raising a puppy with kids, according to a professional dog trainer
A bond that will only grow stronger
While Lee’s antics might be an adjustment for the family, Cook says there’s no doubt the dog and baby are building a strong bond. “Lee gets along great with Espy—they’re best friends and do everything together,” she said.
Though Lee doesn’t quite “understand what Espy is to him,” his love for her is evident. And as Espy grows, the friendship between this four-pawed sibling and his baby sister will undoubtedly grow, too.
TikTok users agree—this is sibling rivalry at its most adorable.
Related: TikTok knows the dog mom guilt you feel upon bringing home a new baby is TOO real
