Say hello to my little friend

Meet Mr. Sharky.  

A boy and his dog shark

 When we first introduced him to Asher, I thought perhaps we had made a gross error in judgment.  Asher's eyes got wide, he clung to his grandparents, and he spoke so softly I could scarcely hear him.

We assured him that he was a very nice shark, and finally Asher approached to say hi.

Since then it's been...well, it's been like a match made in heaven.

"Mr. Sharky!  Come watch me jump!"

"Mommy, Mr. Sharky is hungry, he needs some cereal."

"Mr. Sharky, you're my best, BEST friend!"

Asher – showing Mr. Shark his reflection in the bathroom mirror “Mr Sharky!  You are the nicest dolphin I ever saw!”  pause.  “Daddy, Mr. Sharky says I’m the nicest Asher he ever saw!  He must really like me a lot!”  

Asher named his shark "EleanorErik" after his cousins (he heard me say to Deenesh when I saw his reaction that I hoped I hadn't scarred Eleanor and Erik since was also gave them a shark as a gift), but he always addresses him as "Mr. Sharky" and only occasionally calls him "EleanorErik" if he is talking about him to someone else.  


Unfortunately, I can't help but feel that there's the shadow of tragedy lurking.  After all, the love of a 3 year old boy and a helium filled balloon with a delicate motor?  I can't help but feel like it's a doomed affair.  One destined to end with a loud pop. 
 

hmmm...how do I get out of this fishbowl?

"C'mon!  Can I wake him up from his nap yet??  Can I?  Can I?"

"Wake up!  Wake up!  I want to play!"

"Oh hi, Mr. Sharky!"  

"Come cuddle me and we can go back to sleep, Mr. Sharky"

"No more sleeping!  Let's go play some fetch!"