Back to dogs.

Ember

when last we met, that i wasn't on some tear about my cell phone or my frustration with the fact that i've suddenly gotten old and still haven't done anything with my life, the pups were just learning to stand and walk, dragging their little tails on the floor for balance.  i meant to take piles of photos but of course i was pretty much too exhausted, what with all the energy that aging consumes. this is all i have:

Ember and Raleigh

Raleligh

Momdog Corabelle

perspective

socializing the puppies is on my agenda this week, so i've been taking them out on the lawn to meet the pack.  i've kept the interactions brief till now, partly because Corabelle gets very agitated when i take them and partly just to insure that each meeting is a positive one - getting them the heck outa there before max and ellie start to get jealous.  this was the first day i actually let one of them run around with us while the other stayed back with mom to keep her distracted.

Raleigh toddled along behind me, wagging his little tail, pausing as each of the pack came over to check him out.  pretty soon the rottencockers got bored and ran off but uber mom maggie was rapt.  she sniffed.  she licked the pup's head. nudged his belly with her nose.  then she lay down and used a curled paw to pull him toward her.  he obliged briefly before waddling away.  finally she dropped, belly up, legs spread, head back in an apparently irresistible invitation.  Raleigh climbed onto her neck, falling from side to side and struggling back.  he licked her mouth, bit her cheek.   eyes softly closed, she remained still.

i don't know if all mom dogs respond that way to random puppies.  i have my doubts, but maybe.  maggie's pups were adopted away back in June so perhaps her memories are fresh enough to influence her behavior toward these little ones.  but i think there's more to it than that.  i think that like people, dogs are individual and distinct.  some are born to run and play, to hunt or herd or protect. some are more people oriented and some just want to be with other dogs.  there are those born more needy and others, like our maggie, more nurturing. she was in a state of unmistakable bliss with a puppy flopping around, slobbering on her face.

when he got tired and refused to walk, i carried Raleigh back to the pen with Maggie close alongside, jumping up from time to time, touching noses with him. i understood she wanted him back.  from the depths of my heart, i understood.