every morning for at least the last 3 years, Benjamin and Lucille awaken from their slumber by looking at each other first, then breaking out into one big howl. I love watching them. I look closely at their faces and try to guess what they are feeling when they do it. Their lips are perfectly puckered and they are glancing at each other. They do it with total abandon. It is definetly a connecting song. It brings them together, it is uniting the pack. They seem completely satiated once it is done. I love that it has been part of my morning ritual. It also brings me into the pack. It makes me feel like this family can survive anything, that we are all united in love and committment to each other. Even Miss Madeline has started stirring with it, she lets out these little moans as if to catch up to the big guys. Her place is well accepted at the bottom here, and her whimperings seem to be saying “I am included too, wait for me!” I love watching the miracle of their communication.
Ruminations of a dog trainer
