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| ~View from the front porch~ |
A beautiful start to our Saturday with bright sun. The morning wind has stayed around and is a little chilly, but it's a welcomed chance to sit outside with the dogs.
Pack-dynamics and how the dogs interact with one another always fascinates me. One of the relationships that I find interesting is the one between CarrieAnne and Todd. There's no question that Carrie is our pack leader. Yes, typically the alpha dog is the largest and strongest, and most often male. But (believe it or not) we don't have a strong male. So Carrie, who is one of the smallest in the group is filling that role and I have to say is managing this position quite well having earned the respect of the other dogs. I think that Todd's place in the pack is somewhere in the middle. From what I can tell, he's an equal to Sheba and Josh, below Charlie, and above Sunny and Shadow.
But without a doubt, Todd respects Carrie and clearly adores her. They don't play with one another, and when CarrieAnne is outside watching the world go by, Todd is never that far from her. When something catches her attention, Todd follows, but never leads. When I toss a treat to Carrie, Todd never tries to get it if she misses it. I can't help but think of Spike the Bulldog and Chester the Terrier who were animated cartoon characters in the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes series of cartoons. The little dog Spike was always following Chester around, calling him, "boss" and saying things to him like "hey boss or right boss?" I have to wonder if Todd may be saying some of those same kinds of things to Carrie as he runs along beside her. And CarrieAnne, just like Chester, doesn't mind at all, and I think she enjoys it.
I hope you enjoy your weekend!
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| ~Cissy~ |
It's nice to see so many pictures of your contented family. It is a perfect day to just watch the world go by. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYour Goldens on the porch, a super portrait of the family. Maybe Todd needed one a little smaller, not so far to look up to. Enjoy your spring days, Cheers to all, Jean.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Carrie and Todd have a very special relationship. It is nice that they get along and respect each other so much!
ReplyDeletehow very cute!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, I always love seeing your pack-they are all so beautiful. Love how content they are to stay on the porch with gate closed. It will be interesting to see how Hunter does with the new yard. I've had such fun seeing Val; she is such a neat gal. It is beautiful here but I know by next Sat. I'll be glad to get home. Two weeks seems like a long time to be away from Hunter-can't believe I'm even saying that! Of course when we get home we start unpacking boxes at the new house and getting the furniture over.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs, Noreen
Todd and CarrieAnne getting on is so sweet, it's like Todd totally respects her and finds her easy going to be with...wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMom said she could sit on that porch all day long! :)
ReplyDeleteYep....somebody has to do it, around here it's Bites thinks he is in control, but me being the nut case, I am in charge, uh...... well maybe it's Shadow. OK, OK we do things here by committee, mostly Dads Committee!
ReplyDeleteThe Mad Scots
Afternoon Kim, love to see so many Golden's hanging out on the porch, great picture. Enjoy your weekend too,Blessings Francine.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful pack of dogs on your porch. I wish I could come over and hug them all.
ReplyDeleteBandit, a hound dog mix, and the smallest dog we have ever had, was the undisputed leader of our pack for 13 years until he passed away. He led by sheer personality. So I think it is strength of character as well as size and physical strength that determines a pack leader. Female wolves often lead their packs, I think.
Hello, Kim! I just love the shot of your Goldens on the porch! And Todd is a cutie too. It was a beautiful day, nice to be outside! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm the pack leader here. I let the humans be my assistants. Kaci, Kali and Kismet are looking up.
ReplyDeleteTodd is such a sweet boy who really knows his place in the pack. How sweet he is with Carrie.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed hearing about Carrie and Todd. ♥
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Sunday.
Otto, who is bigger and stronger than either, is completely deferential to Bart and Ruby. The other night he ran outside to "guard" and Bart supervised from the back porch. When Ruby barks, Otto gets off the bed. I love them!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos of all the goldens,, and Todd too on your porch!
We love hearing how they all interact with each other! And how they respect each other!
That little Todd- just fits in- doesn't he!
love
tweedles
The best pack of gold I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteAroo to you,
Sully
It is a wonderful vision to see all your golden-furred dogs on your porch. Funny, I would have expected that Todd would gravitate to being the boss. Very interesting...
ReplyDeleteI hope that you enjoyed the rest of your day.
Hi Kim!
ReplyDeleteThat second picture of Carrie and Todd really tickles me. Carrie has a smile on and her eyes wrinkled up like Todd has just told her a good joke! That is such a beautiful bunch to decorate the porch.
Cheers,
Jo and Stella
O! Thiss iss a story I deu LOVE!!!
ReplyDeletewif big smiles and love from Little Reufus and the Mom
I bet Todd makes a great mate. :)
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, the Alpha female and her little shadow. How sweet.
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Bella & Roxy
The girls run the pack in my little world. Scooter (the boy) could really care less. Like most men he enjoys being off following his nose ;)
ReplyDeletePack dynamics are fascinating - even with only the two dogs there is a definite hierarchy. Have a good Sunday Kim! xx
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!:)
ReplyDeleteoh ...Your porch picture has just made my day.....:)
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy pack dynamics and herd dynamics. Todd is such a cutie and it's sweet that he knows his place. Terriers can be so....well, you know.... :-)
ReplyDeleteHowdy Mates. Oh wonderful to see your pack enjoying the morning together. Hope the weekend was a good one. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
ReplyDeleteoh i like the little changes you've made on the blog! cool. clean. nice!
ReplyDeleteand love the pack dynamic you describe. carrie always seems to be smiling. nice to think of her as the one who gently leads them all.
i was thinking of marshal matt dillon and his sidekick... chester!
i don't remember the cartoon you've mentioned but i will check it out now.
have a wonderful work week dear heart! XOXO
Pack dynamics is an amazing thing. I was really surprised at how the dynamics of my pack changed when I lost Lilly. Lilly was alpha from the minute she walked in our front door, weighing all off six pounds!! In our pack, Lilly was alpha, Piper was in the number two spot and Celti and Argyle were vying for the number three spot. Once Lilly was gone, Celti came immediately to the front. And now the boys don't really care what spot they hold. Celti's who demeanor has changed - she is still a wild child but she is also clearly the boss of both of those boydogs.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day.
xo
Lynn
... it is a deep personality switch that turns on when the time is right with some dogs - others were born to lead - Sunny was my born leader, and even though I never got to see Lady in a pack setting, she was leader material, but only if it was appropriate to have her switch flicked! If she lived with Sunny, she would have happily followed him anywhere. She loved the big Golden boys.
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