March 20, 2012

White Dog watched in amazement as the 40 lb. bag of dog kibble that Steve was pouring into the storage bin split along the side and dumped most of the contents across the kitchen floor. I saw her second of sympathy for Steve (who was struggling not to say something angry) quickly switch to one of opportunity. She barked the "Treat time!" bark and the rest of the White Dog Army came charging.

Nuka, the first on the scene, turned the corner into the kitchen and slid across the kibble-slippery floor like a major league baseball player supermanning into third. She didn't even get up when she stopped but instead started chowing the pieces closest to her head.

Quinn ambled in and looked around, confused. Then he gazed up at Steve, his best buddy. He shuffled closer so that he could lean against Steve (who was scooping the kibble up using a frying pan). No interest in the mother lode, TOWD just wanted to be a calming influence.

YoYoMa charged forward into the kitchen sniffing the bounty but jumping back when his paws first stepped on the bits of dog food. He stalked in again, slower this time, and assessed the situation using senses other than sight. Even Steve stopped to observe him processing the fact that this was indeed an incredibly wonderful new system of dog food delivery. He dropped to his belly and used his paws to gather together a pile of kibble, then buried his face in it. His rate of consumption caused Steve to scoop faster.

Puff stood in the living room, unsure. She was on one hand certain this was some kind of test; yet on the other Steve was in the room and everyone else was eating. Tentatively, she moved to the perimeter, like a deer feeding in a meadow, and gently took a single kernel into her mouth. Then she looked at me as she chewed...another bite...and another...then she was done and came to sit at my side.

And where was White Dog? She never left the Watching Chair. She seemed to take delight in the others enjoyment but held herself clearly above it all. Later, after the cleanup was complete and Steve filled bowls, Her Serene Highness, the White Dog looked into her bowl and then back at Steve as if to ask, "This wasn't the stuff that was on the FLOOR, was it?"

White Dog and The White Dog Army hopes every one had a Vernal Equinox that was filled with sunshine, extra treats, and kindness. We wish you all a Spring overflowing with growth, song, the warming of your soul, and heart soaring promise.