Friendships

Spending time with Kimber helps me remember how every day with Holly as a puppy held a significant moment.  She learned something new, she did something incredibly cute, she taught me a lesson in playfulness and innocence.   At 3+ years the isolated ‘aha’ moments are less, instead I watch the result of a string of ‘aha’ moments.  Kimber brings out both the puppy and young adult in Holly.  She plays with the puppy as if she herself is a puppy, then flips a switch and acts like a mature dog role modeling for the youthful Kimber.  Kimber plays chase and tug now with Holly, each taking their turn of being in the lead.  Kimber races as fast as she can and I watch Holly, who seems to be running at 3/4 speed allowing Kimber to feel the glory of being in the lead.

Keltie joins the party at times, adding a whole new dynamic.   The phrase ‘three’s a crowd’ runs through my mind.  At times, that seems to be apparent.  One dog (usually Holly) is on the fringe of a good game of tug, following the other two trying to look like she is actively involved in the game.  Then a shift occurs and the game becomes inclusive and equally joyful – running, dodging all while trying to avoid a mid-air collision, sometimes unsuccessfully causing poor Kimber to tumble into a roll that ends with her getting back on her feet and back into the chase again.

Holly, even at three, is still meeting friends of mine for the first time.  This week it was Phyllis, a friend from my ALARIS days.  Now the cycle is complete!  Phyllis is a dog & cat owner also.  We’ve known each other long enough to know a long list of pets.  Phyllis has known and met Baillee, Glory, Boden, Gracie and now Holly & Helen.  Her cavalier king charles dog, Bita,  will be 17 years old soon, and I recall when Phyllis brought her home as a puppy!   We spent hours together at work,  testing software and finding bugs.  As well as sharing stories about the quirky behaviour of our pets and fully relating to the love we have for them.  We are both retired now leading to work memories, conversation about how we spend our time – and more stories about our pets!

Dogs find a way to make new friendships with grace and genuine interest.   And somehow have a way to help preserve friendships across the span of time.