July 2006

Greta has come a long way, or is it that I have come a long way. I'm learning her signs of trust. She is relaxing her tail and it often swings freely in an outward arc from her body. This is a big change from the beginning where you barely realized she had this long lovely tail. She kept it tucked close to her body with the tip curving into the bottom of her belly. She also always rested in a defensive position. When I say defensive, I mean she was ready to jump up and get out of the way at a moment's notice. She never fully reclined to her side. As the weeks passed, I began to see her relax and strech for a good sleep. As the time wore on, Greta began to feel comfortable with us walking near her in this reclined position. Lately, I think she has began to consider this place a home -- her home. She gets quite playful when you come home from work. She runs all around the yard taking short turns around the bushes and deck and her tail is in a clearly happy position. It is raised above her hips and glides from side to side as she out manuvers Sierra. She is also comfortable in standing right next to me when I hand out morning doggie love. My favorite thing to wake up to is bending over to hug the dogs in the morning. I scratch their belly, I scratch their nose. Greta no longer looks on from across the room. She's right up next to me waiting for her hug.

Sierra is falling for her also. Max told me today that he saw Sierra give Greta a kiss. I can't believe I missed it, but I'm sure there will be more displays of affection in the future. Someone from work asked me about Greta. I was able to say with full honesty, there hasn't been a negative incident since she's joined our household. What a darling. She is sweet, kind and considerate. She is good to the kids and good to the cat. I even think she's starting to love us. There's nothing like doggie love. They look for you when you leave the room and sit outside the bathroom door until you join the family again.

Trust, it's not a thing to take for granted. It's an exquisite gift..

Letting sleeping dogs lie.