January 9, 2022

Opal has invested a VERY long time in trying to teach her brother how family interaction works. She has patiently moved closer and closer by tiny steps over months until she could stand at his side. Opal has playfully invited Roman to zoom after her, although sometimes her enthusiasm still scares him. Opal makes a point of standing in front of him so he must look at her and decide whether to turn left or right...or whether to just stand looking at her. Quietly, persistently, kindly, Opal demands that Roman include her in his personal space...and she is wise enough to know the "not good" days and to back off.

Today I was lucky enough to witness Opal's gentle training payoff. Roman walked up to where Opal rested near me; he stood a little uncertainly for a few monents. Opal looked up and wagged her tail; Roman responded then stepped forward to gently sniff Opal's face and ears. He stood close for several minutes sort of soaking in Opal's beaming smile. Then the connecting moment ended and Roman moved to settle in his bed.

Opal jumped up to sit next to me. "Did you see THAT, momma!" she whispered. "I think he was telling me he is glad I am his friend."