December 3, 2018

White Dog quietly slipped into the bedroom to check on our newest development and left, smiling, to return to her sleeping quarters. She was checking up on Pearl who has the past few nights disappeared from her place in the office at bedtime. Pearl can be our bedtime Goldilocks alternating between the open crate in the office, Stormer's old couch in there, and her chair in the living room. White Dog wanted to know her sister was safe and comfortable.

WD was concerned but had noticed that her sister was showing signs of wanting to be less aloof. Pearl has begun turning up for bedtime treats in the bedroom with the White Dog Army instead of waiting for Steve to hand deliver them to WD, Nilla and Pearl  who tend to avoid crowds. Pearl comes in and stands with the pack accepting cookies in turn now.

The bed in the corner has gone unused since Nilla has moved to the kitchen at night. We thought no one wanted to sleep next to Roman's crate or that the narrow opening to the bed (once so we could safely gate Nils) was a deterrent. Sometimes Opal will bring her toys in there during the day to play or Bai will rest waiting as I readied myself for the day but at night it remained empty...

...until the this past week. Pearl has discovered the space and seems delighted to claim it. Often she is in the corner, waiting, before we all are gathered for the prebed treats. Neither she nor Roman seem to mind sharing a "wall."  And Pearl seems to suddenly like being part of the crowd.

It feels like a developmental victory; like Pearl has moved a little closer to trusting. And I have to admit a thrill each night as she takes the cookie from my hand and then curls into the corner.