Recently I got a new puppy. It is my first puppy - real puppy puppy, you know so young. I thought it would be different. And I thought my older dog would be happier about the addition. Don't get me wrong there is no jealousy over this or that, they both get equal private time and perks, but there was still tension, or a sense of unrest and it worried me. To be honest it scared the hell out of me. Had I made the wrong decision? Had I ruined my older dog's senior years? Was it fair to a puppy to live with a pet mate that wanted nothing to do with her? Were they both destined to be isolated? Then an amazing thing happened....as I watched them, I came to understand and accept their culture, their social structure and I learned it wasn't all bad, indeed it wasn't the worse decision I'd made. Animals and dogs in particular are pack oriented, they are social and they enjoy living in a home with others, even when they aren't the best of friends, just having another canine around is comforting for them. They don't have to be up in each other's shit to be content; they, like most humans I know, enjoy their alone time, except for a handful of weirdos, most people like space and privacy and down-time; it's an odd bird that needs to be entertained 24-7, 365 days, that's just damn exhausting! Nobody likes the friend who can't take a hint and is too dumb to read the signs, but my Bella is doing a good job of claiming her role, regardless of what that might be and it's her place to be who she is, and I can't force something one way or the other. So the puppy will grow and mature and I foresee peace in the future, even puppies need a breather, and can enjoy solace. So I'm going to stop worrying less about what the definition of "getting along" means and accept the relationship as it molds itself with gentle guidance.
And when I'm gone for extended hours I imagine they feel a sense of comfort knowing the other is there. When one barks to an outside sound, there is another bark that follows in echo,and not just a vast hollow emptiness of nothing and no one, reminding them they are not alone. I take comfort in this as I know they will grow to love one another as the years pass, and for now they each know they're not alone, but a member of a multi party household where we can be alone or together, living in a balance of harmony and chaos.
My job is to provide love and structure and most importantly reliability for above all else I am the provider, the leader, the one who holds the golden key to happiness and well-being.