Rose and Frieda avoided one another for months. Both would go rigid at the sight of each other, and these two dominant females – neither gives an inch – seemed like they could never inhabit the same space. For the first 10 months of Frieda’s time here, she lived in Maria’s Studio Barn across the street, and never came into the house unless the other dogs were not there. She went after Rose’s food, lay at the bottom of the stairs and tried to prevent her from moving toward me and Maria. There were a few close calls.
  Rose and Frieda have worked it out. They eat side by side, nap side by side. Frieda is not as much of a pack animal as my other three dogs. She is a hunter, always on the lookout for food, given that she lived outside for so long. It’s interesting to see how back have backed down a bit, sniffing one another regularly, getting out of each other’s way.
  Frieda still has her minimum security facility in the back – I don’t trust her in the front yard, where she could easily vault the fence – but she lives in the house now, sleeping and hanging out where the wants. It is increasingly common to see the two together, on our walks and in the house.
  Frieda is more apt to bark at Lenore who tries to steal her bones and rawhide. Frieda sleeps on a dog bed downstairs and doesn’t move all night. I am glad to have her. She is a portable security system, and nobody is ever coming into the house with her inside.
  It is interesting to see how dogs evolve, given the chance. Most people don’t give them the chance. They are too anxious, but invariably, they do work it out.