March 31, 2018

White Dog said, "It IS a full moon." I looked at her and shook my head. "None of you girls are acting like lunatics so I am not sure that is a valid excuse."

The White Dog Army BoyZ, as twilight became night and the full moon rose over the mountain, were transformed into creatures that held little resemblance to the well mannered team that White Dog trained.

Sachi felt the need to mark every vertical surface of the house...door jambs, coffee table legs, the dresser. For a 12lb boy his bladder seemed to have a limitless capacity. And he was remorseless. As Steve cleaned the hallway door, he peed on the bedroom jamb.

More dangerously, our Little Man was in trump mode bullying everyone, even the volatile Roman. Sachmo seemed stunned when his provocation resulted in Roman whirling around and nipping.

Of course, that was cause for Roman to be refitted with his muzzle. He had been given a brief respite from it and has not had to wear it at bedtime. But tonight Roman's hair trigger reminded us that redirecting his behavior was going to be a long term process and that we need to make "better safe than sorry" decisions when it comes to his--and the pack's--safety. He was not happy being muzzled but his contriteness did not stop his short temper from expressing itself in growling and showing teeth. "THAT is why you need help finding balance right now," I told him.

And Tizenegy was no less guilty than the other two in his vocal taunting and talking smack. His five-minute barking and whining temper tantrum for no good reason earned him timeout in his bed. Steve did not relish the nightly walk that paired him and Roman.

The girls all made points of coming to me to remind that THEY were good and could get along. "I know, Opal," I said scratching her ear. "Sometimes I think the world will be SO different when the feminine is in charge." Zsofia wooed her agreement. "There is no reason for any of them to behave so badly," she said. "We had a wonderful meal, walks are coming up, we are all together and getting attention. Why?" Nilla shook her matriarch's head and sighed, "Sometimes," she explained, "it is simply a matter of hardwiring and boys will be boyZ."

White Dog groaned. "I hope the moon's pull wanes quickly."