I am the leader, Benjamin is the alpha dog, Miss Lucille, is Benjamin's biggest fan and Madeline is my newest rescue.
Lucille
Lucille has been with me a year (March 2005). She spent several months at the city shelter, shy, nervous, and with a bad skin condition. She became my foster dog. I have had over 15 foster dogs in the last 3 years, and it was my intention to find Miss Lucille a home. She was somewhat dog aggressive and a big girl to handle. Well, weeks turned to months, and she crawled right into my heart.
I can't fully explain how quirky and delightful she is. She is a big lug of a girl that my mom says would look great in a pink tu-tu. She doesn't like all dogs, but it was vital that she live in harmony with Benjamin. And wouldn't you know- this is the one dog that she is madly in love with. She is his follower. She looks to him to keep her in line. It is a good fit.
Benjamin
Benjamin is a pretty straight forward guy. He loves to puff up around other males, and he loves to play aloof with the females. This is why Lucille is so enamored. His two favorite pastimes are - playing with his toy monkey in the house. He will suckle on it for hours, it is quite a site. And out in nature, he wants nothing more than to dig and dig and dig. I don't even think he cares if he never finds a creature. The pure act of digging and sticking his head all the way in the hole brings out such joy in him.
You can read all about Benjamin here. He has been with me now 5 years, and his presence in my life has brought on more healing than any other creature. The universe works in strange ways. Benjamin's aggression brought Alon Geva into our lives. Alon showed me the way to leadership which transformed my dog. Alon Geva also showed me the way to an inner journey back to my True Nature, the Self.
Madeline
Madeline is the newest member of this family. I saw her at the Berkeley shelter in the quarantine section, snarling fiercely at whoever walked by. She was on the euthanasia list because of this aggressive behavior. I saw a dog that was scared and perhaps confused. She had been dumped in the night box with a note saying her name (formerly Madison), age (6 1/2) and that she was a good dog. It broke my heart that she had been with a family so long only to be put into a locker at night. I started taking her out to get a sense of her. Well, long story short - I now call her my Zen dog.
She is a sponge for love. Rolls over on her belly whenever someone bends down to give her attention. She is quiet and polite in my home, so much so that the only way I know where she is, is by her unusually loud snoring. She has a humanness to her that is almost startling. Her eyes are a light brown that pierce my heart, she will just come over and stare at me, begging to be understood.
What I understand, is that Madeline was meant to be the 3rd member of this pack. The others have welcomed her, even temperamental Miss Lucille. We are complete now.