Batman had Robin, although some would argue that Robin was more of a lover than a sidekick. The Tick also had a sidekick, Arthur, who you might argue was actually the Tick's brain. I have Bella. Her full name is Orabella Sinclair Shular and she is most definitely my “partner in crime”. Mostly she follows me around, loyal to a fault, always looking for an opportunity to shower me with affection. (I look at this simply as her canine way of complimenting me on my super-powers, powers of deduction, or what have you.)
Of course, my super-powers have been generally concentrated to one area: parenting. As such, Bella has had to adapt her own set of abilities to enhance mine. When we first brought Cohen home we were very concerned that Bella might not be able to adapt to her new role. In fact, it seemed as though Cohen might be Bella's cryptonite and for awhile the situation was quite dire. But, like Bruce Willis in Unbreakable, Bella was able to climb out of that deep dark pool and she's stronger in her role than ever before.
Her daily duties might consist of the following: (although her ability to shift on the fly as needed is definitely an important one)
5:30 AM - Cohen screams us to wakefulness. Bella rushes to my bedside to inform me of Cohen's impending self destruction if not fed immediately.
5:45 AM - After devouring most of a bottle, Cohen will generally throw up ten percent or more of his most recent meal. Bella's “spidey-sense” picks up the need for her to clean up and she is there almost instantly. Sometimes the battle for supremacy falls in the vomit's favour and Bella has to unleash her secret weapon; the unstoppable shoulder roll.
6:00 AM - Cohen gets a change (an ability I never knew I would master), along with a wipe of nearly his entire body (he's that frantic during meals). The cloth, apparently suspect, has to be thoroughly inspected by Bella. Through vigorous shaking, incessant growling, and excited rolling Bella has been able to keep whatever evil lurks in that cloth away from her family.
6:30 AM – Bella and I return to our batcave for more sleep. Being a superhero is hard work and you need to get your naps whenever you can.
8:30 AM – Bella takes point as I pilot Cohen in his stroller. No real super-mission involved in this; just need to get outside once in awhile. A pooch has got to pee, you know.
The majority of the day is divided up amongst rolling, licking (of Cohen, me, mailmen, and unsuspecting visitors) and eating. There is never a prescribed order and sometimes one action leads to the other. She might find something interesting to eat under our cabinets and then decide it is no longer tasty but has a very nice scent which she'll then wear until her next bath. No matter though, she is like a firefighter; always honing her abilities, working out, and getting mentally prepared for her next sidekick duty.
She is an integral part of Team Shular and will help out immensely during my time with Cohen. I imagine once Cohen is old enough, Bella will become his sidekick; probably sometime around the age when he starts holding his own food.
