Day 1471

When the puppies were still with their Mama in Kenyon, Minnesota, we would get pictures of “puppy piles.” Cassie Puppy Mama, as we lovingly call the breeder, would send the sweetest images of the litter in a Puppy Pile." All eight would be in there somewhere, but it must have given them a sense of safety.

When we sit at the dinner table or on the couch in the living room, there is often a bigger “puppy pile” at our feet. Looking down at lunch, I found Hank, Charlie and Gus snuggled in close. Gus had spent the morning at Mercy Hospital and was “spent.” He seemed to be looking for a cozy place to nap. He found one on top of his little brothers. All went right to sleep with Sam and Ranger close by.

Realizing it is not for everyone, human proximity is a necessity for me. Alone time is fine, but I can relax and allow my mind to ease when a trusted one is near. What a gift.

Humans tend to be social, but certainly aren’t part of the “pack mentality” for most things. We no longer have the need to gather in caves to stave off wild animals, but there are some vestiges of that long ago need to gather. Children love to play with their age-mates, teens show their need to belong by adhering to peer pressure and adults gather for parties and social events. There are still a few survival traits that have morphed into gatherings.

Dogs haven’t moved along that timeline as far…and, perhaps, that is why we love them so much. They NEED us and desire to be as close as they can. They would “Puppy Pile” us if we weren’t prepared. Even so, we love it when our Golden Halo closes in around us. Sweet pups…..