February 7, 2022

We tend to focus our notice...and praise...on Roman who deserves the applause and bragging we do about his tremendous steps forward. Taking nothing from Roman's accomplishments, we sometimes are light in our hurrahs and accolades for Opal, who moves under the radar until one day you look up and wonder "WHEN did she start doing that?"

It took ages for Opal to work up the courage to leave momma's side to enjoy the back yard and deck...but now she canters with the others and suns herself in the warmth (while still checking in on me). Opal has calmly but relentlessly pressed herself into Roman's world teaching him to accept her nose touches and standing in his way...she has succeeded so much that Roman actually wags at her touch and is now allowing the others to violate his personal space a bit more.

Opal's newest amazement: For the past two mornings I have come awake feeling somepup lying along my side. Zsofia will sometimes hop up after breakfast but this new form was smaller. I did not want to shift for fear of causing her to jump down but Steve confirmed that it was, indeed, Opal, sharing an up-close nap. I am thrilled that she finally initiated such an intimate moment; but I must not overdo my response for fear that she will pull back at the notice and not repeat her confident snoozing.

Sometimes the hardest part of progress here in the White Dog Army is not noticing it too loudly.