Meanwhile, it continues to snow on and off here in Southeast South Dakota. We're optimistic that the worst of the single digit and below zero temps are behind us. Nevertheless, Fletcher and Audrey continue to dress appropriately for the weather. Here are a couple of blurry, low light snapshots taken of them in their winter boots as we get ready to head outside for an evening tour of the neighborhood snow drifts. It's their last opportunity of the day to check pee-mail before logging off.
2 comments:
Do you find that Fletcher is happier now that he has Audrey? (Not that he wasn't happy before.) We are wondering if little (big) Jet might benefit from a canine companion...you know, considering that they are pack animals and all....
Dianne asks a good question that could result in a long answer. So, trying to be concise will be a challenge. A hundred different thoughts all going off at once. Liane and I have talked about this quite a bit and I have to say that our consensus is that, generally, Fletcher is less happy with Audrey around. Our best confirmation of this thinking is when Fletcher is sans Audrey, as in when he's out for a walk with one of us and Audrey stays home. He seems much happier not having to compete with her for our attention. Having said that, he also expresses great concern for Audrey when they are separated. But then, he's a worrier. It's hard to explain.
Fletcher had to learn a lot when Audrey came into the picture. He had to learn to play and socialize and guard what he deemed was his. He had to learn how to share his people and space. I think it was hard for him at times. With time and patience, he's grown fond of Audrey and enjoys playing with her, but he needs his solo time with one of his people too. This is something that Audrey has never known so it's not as important to her. And it helps that even though she can be a domineering toy hog, she is a good playmate, especially when playing chase-me-I-have-something-you-want or let's wrestle.
Doubling the canine pack can double your fun but more than double your expenses and drain your energy. More dog food, more toys, more vet trips and bills, more than twice the bed space if they share yours at night(!), leash walks can be a genuine adventure and make sure you bring along plenty of cleanup bags. Getting their go out times synced up is sometimes a three act play.
We're glad we have Audrey. And I guess Fletcher is too... sometimes. She's a sweet, dear little creature. Her personality is so completely different from Fletcher's. Let me put it this way. In their previous lives as humans, Audrey was on the girls varsity soccer team, the field hockey team and played softball. She was All-State champ. She was attracted to big, dim witted jocks. Fletcher was less athletic. He rarely got into ball games. He ran on the track team but only because he had a sports requirement. He preferred to work with tools, fix things and read a lot. Probably spent hours in the library. He was always wanting to be more athletic and attractive to the popular girls.
It's a funny thing. Sometimes they seem inseparable and other times they just go their own ways. Just like people I suppose. I guess if you asked Fletcher if he's happier now, he'd pause, gauge his thoughts and ultimately reply that he's happy to have her around as long as she gives him some space when he wants it. I know one thing for sure though. If we had it to do over again, we'd bring Audrey home in a minute. And Fletcher would smile.
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