For Brandon and Kelly Madsen, their first child wasn’t a human baby—it was Bentley, a lovable four-legged companion who became part of their family in 2017. However, when their son Tyler was born in February of last year, the spotlight naturally shifted to the new arrival. Amusingly, Bentley wasn’t about to be left out when the couple decided to capture Tyler’s newborn stage in a photo session.
Bentley, a five-year-old goldendoodle, is described by Kelly as “goofy, quirky, smart, loyal, and loving.” Despite his inability to catch a ball, his unique personality makes him unmistakably Bentley.
After Tyler’s birth, the couple was initially cautious about introducing their newborn to their playful pup. “We sent home a blanket and hat from the hospital that carried Tyler’s scent, allowing Bentley to familiarize himself with it,” Kelly explained. “Once we returned home two days later, we let Bentley sniff and greet Tyler while giving him plenty of affection.” And from that moment on, their bond began to grow.
Bentley was fascinated by Tyler right away, often approaching him for a sniff whenever he cried. He quickly earned the nickname “baby monitor” because he could sense Tyler’s distress before his parents even heard him.
As time passed, Bentley remained close to Tyler, always nearby whether he was sleeping or playing. Their connection deepened, especially after Tyler learned to toss food scraps for Bentley—something the dog greatly enjoyed.
“When we decided to take photos to capture Tyler’s newborn stage, we wanted to do it at home to save on photographer costs,” Kelly shared. “We set everything up, placed Tyler in position, and right on cue, Bentley joined in!”
Since Bentley was already used to being the center of attention and having his picture taken, he naturally positioned himself beside Tyler, either lying next to him or resting his head on the baby. This special connection between them was beautifully captured in the photos.
That heartwarming photoshoot happened a year ago. Now, with Tyler having celebrated his first birthday in February, the family has an entire year’s worth of memories documented in pictures. And, of course, Bentley was right there beside him for every milestone—including his first birthday photos.
Reflecting on their growing bond, Kelly joyfully remarked, “Bentley and Tyler’s adventures are only just beginning!” She even suspects that Tyler’s first word might just be—”Bentley.”
