Dogs are fascinating creatures to me, they are quite different and although we like to think we know what is going on in their heads, most of the time we don’t, or at least I don’t.
They work things out in their own way, left alone.
Fate is a complex creature, she adores people but doesn’t adore most dogs, at least not up close. Bud’s arrival unhinged her for months, and Zinnia’s is worse for her, because she is a confident intrusive creature, unlike Bud, who is quiet and deferential to her.
Fate snarls ever time Zinnia gets close and rejects every invitation to play with her.
Zinnia’s response is to try harder, Labs don’t give up on love. I remember Lenore charming the ferocious Frieda, and just ignoring her growls and snarls until they stopped.
But there are signs that Fate, who is not, by nature, tolerant of puppies or most dogs, is accepting Zinnia just as she accepted Bud.
One clear sign was last night when Fate let Zinnia lie down right next to her and put her paw on her back. Up until now, Fate would just get up and move, disgusted by this intrusive little monster.
Last night was a touching, even poignant thing to see. It may take a while, but Fate, like Bud, has a playful and fun streak in her, Zinnia will get it out of her, for sure.
She just doesn’t take no for an answer. She loves Fate more than Fate resents here, and love is winning out, as it often does.
This set the tone for my whole day. What a wonderful moment to capture!
Great photo…very poignant. Little white Zinnia is indeed a “spirit” animal..
This is so very tender!! It seems to go along with the article you just posted about spirituality!!
Your article was so poignant!! It seemed to come to me on the heels of another article I just read about a young man who defaced the church where he was the organist !! It happened right after Trump was elected!! He was so upset about the outcome!! It is a remarkable story how those he hurt the most opened their hearts and hands to help and support him!! That turned into his remarkable journey of helping by volunteering helping those in need for many different reasons!!
I really appreciated your article and message!!
Thank You!!
So glad you captured this wonderful photo. Zinnia and Fate will soon be closer in size, too, which might make their bond even stronger. Labs work their ways into both human and animals hearts by their good natures, something humans should learn to emulate. You and Maria are doing a great job training Fate, Bud and Zinnia and giving them such a good home. And thank you, Jon, for being such a shining example of how to practice spirituality by the good works you do in helping others.
Sigh!