November 6, 2020

White Dog leaned against my chest and spoke quietly. "Opal is trying so hard to fill Pearl's shoes by taking over Watching and Delivery Alert. She struggles because she is torn between achieving Pearl's standard and spending her time at your side, as your primary caregiver."

"I have noticed that she seems a bit uncertain about her place as well," I told the Little White Dog of My Heart. "She and Pearl were close; they came to us together and had such similar backgrounds that I fear she is missing her sister more than she lets on."

"I have noticed she is trying VERY hard to hang with the Big Girls but they are sometimes so oblivious that they do not include her." White Dog continued. "She tries to copy their mannerisms and follows them around. They are not mean but she truly does not like Sibe Girl games so she just sits and watches."

"Last night made me sad but I did not know what to do. I have mentioned to Zso and Bai that Opal really admires them and hoped they would take the hint; I do not want to order them to be friendlier. But at bedtime Zso and Bailey were curled together in Zsofia's big crate. It is big but not big enough for three. Opal so wanted to be part of the cuddle that she was lying outside the entrance touching their legs. It is not that there were not open sleeping places but she wanted to be with them," I said.

"Fortunately, Zso came up on our bed to watch TV and Bailey moved to sleep by Bella's gate and the moment was diffused but I wanted to wrap my arms around Opal and tell her not to try so hard. She is my precious gem and I hate to see her troubled."

"Let's you and I give some thought on how to make Opal feel a more important and included part of the pack. We will come up with some way. And I will ask heavenly Pearl for her ideas, too. I DO like that Our Sparkling Girl is enjoying more time sitting with you on the bed and that she has invented the bridge from the hall to the dog door via hopping up on the bed then moving down its length to jump off the foot."