Day 252 Pt. 2
1/23/22
Our pack certainly has a pecking order! Actually, in the photo, the boys are all on the bed and our Lilly is in the doorway.
You could add a caption to this picture in a variety of ways.
1. Four besties hanging out.
2. Lilly doesn't want to associate with the boys.
3. Golden "Bookends" protecting their young charges.
4. An Alpha keeping her minions at bay.
All would be correct, but #4 would be the best one. Lilly is in charge. She walks through any door first, she is allowed at the water bowl without any contest and she is given a wide berth when a bone is between her paws. In other words, Lilly is Queen.
After Lilly comes Ranger. Lilly adores him and the pups do as well. He is their big brother and mentor. Everyone simply loves that big guy!
Strangely enough, our Gus is so timid that it seems he is last in the power chain. As Sammy matures (and the Zoomies recede) that may change.
Humans are so much like dogs. In any pack of people (family, work colleagues, friends, etc.) there is a pecking order. I, for example, have never been the Alpha leader. Not exactly a follower, I seem to fall somewhere in the middle where I can be creative, supportive and encouraging.
I have sometimes been in a group where I found myself pushed to the top or the bottom of the pecking order. Neither suit me well, but I always adapt to the circumstances. Perhaps, both ends of that spectrum have been where I have discovered the most about myself...not a bad thing at all!
Wherever you are within any certain "pack", I have found success with a focus on kindness and learning. Learning about interactions, processes and one's self. In a few instances, I have discovered that being at the end of the authority/power line simply doesn't work for me. In those few cases, I have found it necessary to move away from that situation. That is not always the easiest direction to go, but it is one that honors my own heart.
Wherever you find yourself in the pecking order of life, realize it is fine if you feel the self-respect you deserve. Lilly, Ranger, Gus and Sam have figured it out...how hard can it be?!
