Lauren Alaina with her Daughter, Beni Doll, and Dogs, Nola and Opry; Photo by Osprey Media
It’s a crisp fall afternoon in Nashville when Lauren Alaina welcomes us into her cozy home for the Pupdate, introducing us to her two adorable dogs, Nola and Opry, while sharing updates on life as a new mom, new music, and getting back on the road, this time with a baby in tow.
All smiles, Alaina settles into her couch for a chat, her pups nearby. Nola quickly finds a comfy spot to nap while Opry listens intently to every word. Before welcoming baby Beni Doll—her first child with husband Cam Arnold—in June, the couple’s lives revolved around their pets, including their cat, Kitty Wells, who roamed the house during our visit.
Alaina admits she wasn’t sure how her dogs would react when they brought baby Beni home, but thankfully, everyone adjusted just fine.
“They actually both love her now, but it was an interesting adjustment. They were not sure what to think about her,” she revealed. “They would go up and kind of sniff her and try to figure out what she was. And now I’m trying to constantly make sure they’re not licking all over her face. They’re obsessed with her, but I think she was so little and then they’ve never been around a baby and they weren’t sure, but now they love her.”
Becoming a mom has brought big changes, especially now that Alaina has returned to touring. Laughing, she said, ”We traded beer bottles and wine glasses for baby bottles and shakers.” But with a smile, the “All My Exes” singer quickly added, “I wouldn’t change anything about it.”
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Having her daughter on the road feels like a full-circle moment for the Georgia native. “My mom’s actually been traveling with me as well,” she said. “When I started doing this, I was 16, and my mom went on the road with me. It’s kind of amazing to have her back out there. I’m like a little kid and I have a baby.”
Alaina also has some helpful friends guiding her through life on the road with a newborn. Thanks to HARDY and his wife, Caleigh, who welcomed their daughter Rosie in March, Beni has her own tour bus setup.
