1.20.2012

January 20, 2012

White Dog left Steve in the Army's capable paws and went to the spa for a much needed grooming. I let her borrow my cell "just in case." Even though this was our "Friday-Is-Saturday" all the pups knew Steve was still under the weather and that it would probably not be a very active day. There were no complaints and the White Dog nurses continued the excellent care and supervision they have been providing. As Puff said, "There is no point thinking you are well like you did a couple weeks ago only to have it come back around later. Today you must rest, dad!"

White Dog returned at lunch time and resumed command. The WDA received her highest praise when she complimented how thorough a job they had done and asked for extra jerky rations all around as a reward. After lunch it was nap and quiet time.

Nuka, our senior deaf girl, has never been interested in toys of any kind: no stuffies, no balls, no tug toys (little wonder with only 8 teeth). She has watched White Dog and Puff and YoYoMa play without any interest or even curiosity about the toybox overflowing with toy temptations.

This Christmas the White Ones each received a handmade stuffie toy from our heart family in California; the boys got blue bones and the girls red hearts. Possession has switched and changed and been stolen and hidden so many times that it is no longer clear whose toy is whose. Nuka's and Quinn's stuffies were claimed right after the holidays by the trio of players and have been rotated into play along with the rest.

Today during quiet time, Nuka settled comfortably at the hearth sort of half awake/daydreaming; the other White Ones and Steve napped. One of the heart stuffies lay in the middle of the floor (she had stepped over it to get to her blanket).

Suddenly Another White Dog got up and walked over to the toy. She sniffed it.Walked around it. Sniffed other parts. She gave it a lick. Then she pushed it with her foot. I got very excited.

Nuka was trying to play with the heart!

I wanted to wake everyone to share the thrill of watching her push it across the floor closer to me and to see her smile as she looked up. But this was our moment. For a change I actually had the camera sitting next to me and snapped a photo before she turned her back to me and settled down to lie next to the heart...not quite touching it, but claiming ownership.

One of the most rewarding times of owning a rescue dog is when some invisible guard dissolves and a spark of puppyhood denied shines through. This was one of those events. Who knows if she will ever be interested in the toy again but for an instant, Nuka played! And it made me cry with joy.

11 comments:

Dachshund Nola said...

YAY!!!! Way to go Nuka!
Dachshund Nola

haopee said...

And one of the best parts of having your camera just right beside you during that beautiful moment is being able to capture it.

I'm glad Nuka's guard is starting to dissolve.

I've never asked, how long have you had her?

Huggies and Cheese,

Haopee

TimberLove said...

aawoooooo! go-go-go Nuka!!

RA

Bailey Be Good! said...

Awww, yay!! That's so wonderful to hear! Wooooo!

Woofs & hugs, <3

~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

So glad you were able to capture at least a glimpse at that special moment. We all hope Steve is doing better today. We are all assuming nursing duties here too.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Jo's World said...

What a sweet story! Stella, after spending 3 months in the slammer, came here and found one of the old toys, and claimed it. It went everywhere with her and as she got new toys, she still loved it best.
Has never torn up a toy since she has been here, and she now has a clothes basket full. Cheers for Nuka, and I hope she finds more. Scent is all!

Jo and the gang.

Brian's Home Blog said...

That made us tear up too, hooray Nuka!

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Nuka...you made My Mom sniffle a little bit. We can only imagine how hap-pee you made your Momma by such a small act.

KB said...

I have a tear in my eye. You described it so perfectly. A small gesture but a huge step for a rescued white dog.

Prints the Cat said...

Thanks for sharing your moment with Nuka with us. Very touching. And glad you had the camera to capture the moment.

Sagira said...

Aww..that is awesome. Starr was the same way she never liked toys before and now that Sagira and Bokeh have shown her how much fun it is it is neat to watch her discover toys after all these years.