Day 184

11/15/22

These boys! They are the sweetest, most gentle beasts! Our precious Lilly is amazing, but she adds some spice to the mix!

We have been giving Sam more and more freedom as the days go on. Lilly does not approve of that decision, so she gets some alone time with special love.

Tonight, I invited the boys to hang out in the living room. Always watchful, I observed as they engaged with one another. There were toys, bones and humans! They took a few minutes to sniff and nudge each other and then they settled in with a bone. There were a few bone trades and then they chose a spot where they could actually snooze. Sam jumped up on the couch and snuggled against my leg. Gus fell asleep on my feet and Ranger tucked in right behind Gus.

Why do they get along so well?

Upon reflection, none of the boys are jealous or competitive. They respect the other's space and seem to enjoy being together. We could all take a lesson from these boys.

Our Lilly has more of a competitive nature. If there is a bone or toy, it actually belongs to her. Treats? She feels that the largest should come her way...if not, she will voice her disapproval. Doorways, couches, dog beds, basically anything...all belong to her.

Now it sounds like our Miss Lilly is antisocial, bossy and self-centered. It's true when it comes to her pack, but not her humans. She puts them first and tunes into their every feeling and need. She is almost human in many ways.

Every group needs a Lilly. She guides, sets boundaries and leads the way. The boys are happy to follow and let her be alpha. In my experience, humans often follow the same group roles. Hopefully, people can shift back and forth between being a Lilly or one of the boys. It would be exhausting to be one or the other!

For now, I honor Lilly and give her some space and extra love. I also cherish the time spent with the other three as a group. I wonder, if asked, what the four of them would think of MY role in the pack. Perhaps it's better that I not know!