September 15. 2013

White Dog rested her head on Taiko's shoulder and slowly responded to his question, "Are things always so busy here?"

"Well, Little Brother, this September HAS been and will be more hectic that normal. You came. The rains came. The White Dog Army has lots of commitments to spread the word about beating the c monster. Dad goes back to school as a student and the new teaching quarter starts. Most of those things don't happen all of the time but to be sure, now that you are a member of The White Dog Army you must learn to nap when the humans are doing boring stuff so that you are fresh and ready when it comes time to go for a ride or a walk or do something fun."

Taiko considered her words and shook his head. "This is all so very different from my old life of being chained up outside where nothing EVER happened and I got yelled at if I showed any enthusiasm. What if I can't adapt?"

"Taiko, dear Tender One, you are already adapting...and wonderfully. I am proud of how gentle you are with people and how quickly you are learning to understand the limitations of your older brother and sister as they bump into you and fall on you. You have made dad smile with such joy as you have given him your heart. I am proud that you are a member of the WDA!"

"Really? Even if I get nervous when I am crowded too closely by all of the Army and need to go off by myself?" "Sweet brother, I SO can empathize with needing alone time. You may not know but I was an only child for a LONG time before Quinn came and while I love you all, sometimes I still need to be by myself. It is OK."

"But right now, Taiko, lets go round up the rest of the pack and let momma know it is time for duck jerky!"