'My dog knew I was pregnant before I did'

Sydney had always sensed a unique connection with her furry companion, but little did she anticipate that her faithful friend would ultimately reveal her pregnancy.

Dominique Birouste

2 min read

October 9, 2023 - 3:07PM

Picture: Instagram / sydneymichellebenson

Lifestyle

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When it comes to discovering you’re pregnant, it’s usually a test that informs you, but for one woman, it was her dog who shared the good news.

Sydney Pritchard Benson noticed her pet miniature dachshund, Freddie, began sprawling across her abdomen whenever she was sitting down- something very out of character for her furry friend.

“I would just lay down to, like, take a break between my meetings, and he just kept walking up and laying not even on my stomach — like, specifically my ovary section,” the 27-year-old said.

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Freddie’s out-of-the-ordinary behaviour began in June, only a few weeks after Sydney and her husband Josh decided to try for a baby, and it turns out it happened sooner than they both expected, especially given that Sydney believed issues with her thyroid would make the process a lot more challenging.

“I remembered reading something a long time ago that said dogs can tell if you’re pregnant or you’re sick or something. And so I was like, “Wait a minute. There’s no way.’”

"How could you possibly know that?"

Freddie’s behaviour left Sydney curious, and she decided to take a test, wondering if Freddie was right.

“I literally ran back into the room and looked at [Freddie] and was like, ‘How? How could you possibly know that?’” she shared.

Sydney and Josh lovingly nicknamed this four-legged friend “Ferocious Freddie” for his behaviour, which has been likened to a “five-year-old kid that had way too much candy and somehow got caffeine too,” as Josh put.

Freddie has assumed his new position as big brother. Pictures: Instagram / sydneymichellebenson

But when it comes to kids, Freddie has a soft spot.

“He loves babies. . . . Anytime he’s around babies, he’s just so curious,” Josh said. Freddie is “gentle” and “attentive” around the couple’s eight-month-old niece.

Freddie has continued his duties as a watchful pup as he shadows Sydney around the house, awaiting the arrival of the Benson’s little girl, who is expected to arrive in February.

“It’s like [Freddie] has a duty now. Even if we’re cuddling, he still makes a point to, like, wedge himself in. He’s like, ‘Excuse me, Dad, gotta do my job.’ And he’s just gotta get on her belly one way or the other,” Josh said.

Freddie has a Golden Doodle brother named Beni, who, unlike himself, isn’t too fazed by the impending addition to the family.

We’re sure it will be a paws-itive (see what we did there!) experience for everyone involved.