'Mall Cop', Revisited

In his black regalia, now covered in a red winter coat, a cape-like uniform from the castle guard's dressing room, 'Mall Cop', our 17 pound terrier, watches over the yard. Mr. Wiggles, his younger but more imposing cousin, watches, too. It's wintertime now. Will they behave? Too soon to tell. They begin their dance, ever so ruefully, mindful of each other's special qualities. Both are learning.

It has been 20 months since the babies, 'Mr. Wiggles', the yellow retriever, now 78 pounds and 'Ella', the 19 pound mini-schnauser, at 20 pounds, were born. They have a way to go before matching wits with the pros: Mall cop at 4 years of age and 'Sally', our Labrador retriever, at 6. ...The two younger pups are now 'teens', having passed their one-year birthdays, in March. Stoicism is a characteristic they all seem to share, I am pleased to say. How else could I leave all four furry creatures, descendants of wolves, with their 16 dagger-like feet, in a cage-free enclosure called a room, for a few hours then return to a household of even tempered pups, all still talking to one another.

When they meet at doggie day care, the action begins. Routines have been established, by now. ... My job is to simply provide a caring, enriched environment for all, with language lessons the foundation of all of their learning experiences. Twenty months ago, I worried. Now, I do not. 'Just plug us in,” they seem to say, “We will obey, most of the time”. “You will not do that, little man”. I say to Mr. Wiggles as he attempts to tango with his miniature cousin, locked on to her pink sequinned collar, without her permission. Intervention is swift. Mr. Wiggles does not get it, just now. Time outs await and a firm, 'Let's go inside”. 'Ella waits for the unleashing. It wasn't what she was expecting from her 'twin'. “I'm good”, she seems to say. “Yes you are, my little one.” She's a gem, comes when called and waits patiently for her turn at anything. 

Mr. Wiggles, our yellow retriever, does not, generally, follow protocol as he looks at me with an innocence that seems to say, “I'm sorry but I am trying real hard to behave, really I am”. When Mr. Wiggles arrives on the scene, no one knows for sure what will happen. He can be so playful, lovable and seeming in a world all his own, with his large silicone soother, a lattice type basketball, attached to his mouth. ... He loves it so. But he adores his cousins, too.

Little Ella, our mini-schnauzer, is a party animal in the truest sense of the word, ready to play with Sally, her 77- pound Labrador retriever cousin, without hesitation. It seems girl time matters, now, more than ever. They are in constant motion, to a tune only they hear. Play-time is a serious departure for Ella, now. The little one's outlook has changed, not wanting to wait until brother playtime - those time-dated play sessions of yore- begin. Mall Cop, the Terrier, is not that interested in romping, anymore, especially in colder weather, just sometimes and only at his discretion. His focus is more on his male cousin, the awkward, towering, rambling young'un, whose attentions are rarely welcome by the group. When they chase Mr. Wiggles he just seems to laugh at them then runs at a gallop, in his awkward, wayward style.

Mall cop just wants to protect his idyllic life as a professor, a learned man, a man of few words. ... In winter, he prefers to watch from inside the house, where warm temp. reside and restful nap is only a blink away. ... His administering of comfort aid in the form of licks to the face of his nemesis, Mr. Wiggles, shows he cares but in a different way. It's an opportunity to connect personally with this wayward cousin. Outside, the girls wait for no one. They are in a world all their own. They stare at each other with a gaze that says “I'm game if you are, cuz.“ You know, We don't need them for a good time”. Then it happens:, a comical dance routine of the highest caliber as both females run at top speed, in reckless abandon, around and around. Then it all stops, momentarily, while the girls rethink their next move. This unique interplay is a recent phenomenon.  

Ella, the teen, sidles over to mature independent Sally with a mischievous look that begs to inquire, “Are you ready for more, cuz?” This could get rough”? And away they go, like two friends who have not seen each other in a long time. They chase each other some more, then stop to inquire, “Shall we continue?"  The boys watch in wonder. “How'd they do all that?” From inside the house we all watch, thinking, this is the real deal, two girlfriends running amok with such skill and precision, an intensive Olympic workout, like no other. Their play seems kinder, more relaxed and enjoyable, too. There is no posturing for position, just camaraderie. Each has found a playmate that is her 'equal', her kindred spirit. 

We marvel at the unpretentious nature of the girls' un-choreographed performance dance. And yet they have known each other for just over a year.  Wonders never cease with animals. As the boys watch from inside, Mall cop remarks to Mr. Wiggles, as he licks the younger one's eyes: ”Listen squirt, size has nothing to do with having a fun time with the girls. You need to grow up, soon. It's all about maturity, kid. I have it. You don't. No time like the present. Now, let's go out and see what you've learned”.