Thanks to member Labdp for her contributions to our blog!

As I type Pete (Junior) is trying to entice Kobe (Senior) to share the tennis ball.  Maddie watches carefully, because as everyone knows that is her ball they are playing with.
 
Kobe lays passively with the tennis ball between his paws.  Pete is all kinds of a spaz trying to get it.  He tried barking, bowing, bapping, pawing, bouncing, dancing, whining.  Kobe tried to ignore him.  Pete persists like a child at a register surrounded by candy.
 
I love to watch them interact.  Kobe, weary of the antics gingerly stands up.  Steps over the ball, takes two steps toward Pete and puts his head over Pete's neck in a passive yet obvious show of dominance.  I am certain he was saying.......geesh, pup, cool your jets.  You can have the ball when I say so.......okay?  Then Kobe ambles off in search of some peace and quiet, leaving the ball to Pete.  Pete races off with the ball certain he has won some battle and claimed the prize. 
 
Now that I have this all described Maddie, Pete and Kobe are all laying on the office floor ready for some shut eye.
Young pups expend a lot of energy in playful enthusiasm.  Old pups have learned to expend that energy wisely.  And if in doubt, take a nap.
 
So while Junior thinks he's in charge, he's really not.  Even a passive alpha is still an alpha.  And the lesson is this, a ball can be fun for a while, but nothing beats a nap in the sun.

3 comments so far...