January 8, 2012

White Dog crashed full speed back into the house and her momentum carried her into the kitchen where Steve greeted her with "I saw you doing zoomies out in the yard!" As he spoke those words, YoYoMa came bounding through the dog door and screeched to a halt against my legs. He was panting and after a moment, took off to find White Dog.

This was one of those firsts that you never have the camera ready for. White Dog and Yet Another White Dog had been out in the yard not doing zoomies, but PLAYING chase TOGETHER!

Now from YoYoMa's perspective this is no big deal. He has been looking for a playmate since he arrived this summer. But none of the others are players. They walk together well, yes...and even are beginning to lie side-by-side...but nobody interactively played. In fact, Quinn takes YoYoMa's invitation to play as aggression and goes running for dad  (or hides).

If some pup is playing fetch with Steve, for example, and another tries to join in, it is game over. White Dog, as the Queen of the White Dog Army, has always held herself above the riff-raff (she even eats separately from them).

Steve has discovered that White Dog and YAWD are actually well-matched on walks; both like a fast pace and a long course. Yo has no trouble keeping up and is happy to allow WD to lead. Of late, when at the Park where White Dog usually is allowed to be leash-free, she runs her joyous laps but returns to guide and taunt YoYoMa (and Steve) into following her quick lead at a run.

This morning was a delight in the grey chill as both dogs enjoyed each other's relative youth and energy, coming in with cold furs and happy panting faces. There was no cuddling or special moment after, they simply had shared some time in the yard and nothing more.

To us, however, it was a huge sign that the WDA was starting to form bonds. None of the Army understood why I proclaimed, "Breakfast duck jerky for everyone!" but they did not hesitate to line up either.