Lots of emails, all kind and–thank goodness–reassuring, like this:

“Since you just got [the puppy], and you’re the one who is home with him (due to the nature of your job) while your children are off to school. It’s just natural that he would be attached to you at first. We had the same issue with several of our dogs in past.

“My experience is that one of the best ways to have the pup bond with the children is to make them the source of his food – have them feed and interact with him in the mornings before school, and then again when they get home. At the very least, they should give him some appropriate treat and take him out for a run/ball toss/etc. Once he’s house trained, putting his sleeping bed in their rooms will help, too.

“It will take some time for Crusoe to get over leaving his mom and littermate, and to figure out the “pack structure” of the Robinson family, so don’t expect too much too soon. He may always have a stronger attachment to one person in the family than to others (and it might be you). But, as the children spend more time with him in the evenings, playing and cuddling, he’ll figure out they are a great source of affection and bond with them.”

The kids will be home in a couple of hours, and I promise put this advice into effect. Thank you Corner readers, yet again.