It’s always disruptive and revealing when you bring a new dog into a home with other dogs. Dogs are intensely political pack animals, there is always a distinct hierarchy, some dogs welcome newcomers, some challenge them.

Maria and I are both touched by Bud’s generosity and affection for Zinnia. From the first day, these two have become fast friends, much as Bud and Red were.

Bud, who had such a hard time in life before getting to Bedlam Farm, has a gift for friendship.

He guarded Red against the sheep when he got sick and sat by his side for hours when he was struggling. Red accepted Bud in a way he had never accepted another dog, not even Fate.

Zinnia loves Bud and always wants to be with him, they tear around the yard, stealing one another’s toys, playing tug of war. Bud has scabs from Zinnia’s sharp little teeth, but he never gets angry with her.

Fate is more dominant and wary than Bud, at least at first. She’s made it clear she doesn’t want to play with Zinnia yet or want her to get too close. Zinnia keeps her distance.

I make sure Zinnia and Bud have a lot of time away from one another, I don’t want her bonding with him rather than with us. So far, no problem. In the mornings and evenings, she is the writing dog I want, sitting beside me while I work.

For several hours a day, the two of them sit out in the sun, weather permitting and wear one another out.  Sometimes I look out the window and see Bud and Zinnia playing tag, racing in circles around the big maple tree.

Zinnia seems to grasp my office is a place for rest and quiet, I have always been fortunate in that way, dogs become what we need them to become, given the chance.

But I am touched and surprised by Bud’s generosity of spirit and tolerance. He has every reason to fear people and be suspicious of dogs. He has given Zinnia a way of being safe here and eased the puppy pain of being torn from its mother and siblings.

We appreciate Bud more and more all the time. He is a good dog. He is a sweet dog. He is a generous dog. In a month or so, Fate will settle down and grudgingly play with her new little sister. In the meantime, she wants to make it clear that with Red gone, there is a new boss.