Catching Lightning In A Bottle

As we prepare to take Emma and Jackson back home, I've been thinking about how I'll miss certain things about them, and also about how peaceful our house will be again.  It has also made me reflect on a few other things.  It's reminded me about how much I love our girls and made me think about what that magic lightning in a bottle is that makes us really bond with certain dogs.

Emma looks so much like my first greyhound, Treat, that I found myself doing a double take on a few occassions.  She's the same age Treat was when she died and just like our girl, she doesn't act like she's ten years old at all.  On our evening walks, Emma was the lead dog, heading out as far as the leash would let her go to the front of the group, enjoying all the sights, sounds and smells.  I was hoping that she'd really cozy up to me this week, but she has been a lot more interested in being friends with my husband.  That's a good thing in some ways, because I still miss Treat on some days.  The fact that she has the same attitude about her walks as my girl warms my heart.

Jackson has tried so hard this week to be my new best friend that it has made me laugh on quite a few occasions.  I've never had a black greyhound of my own, and I have a soft spot for the really big boys.  I love how goofy and sweet they usually are.  However, he isn't mine and I know that he never will be.  I've been affectionate with him, but I'm not smitten with him.  The magic just isn't there for me.

Bunny had made no bones about the fact that I am hers this week.  She hasn't been glued to me on the couch every minute, though.  She's confident that I belong to her, that I know that I'm hers and that the other dogs know it, too!   From the first moment we met in the adoption kennel, she had her claim laid on me and within a few weeks of her being here in our house, our bond was set.  That's not to say that I don't  have a special bond with Lilac and Blueberry, too.  I do, but it's different with each of them.  Lilac comes to you on her terms.  Blueberry prefers to be just a bit aloof, as long as it's understood that we adore her.  Bunny is the one to let others know that she has a claim, though, even if it is in her own subtle little way. 

No wonder she gets whatever she wants from me!  She has a way of watching me to always know where I am and what I'm doing.  I guess this is just because she needs to have this knowledge.  If she's comfortable sleeping on the couch at night, she'll stay there awhile after we go to bed, but I always wake up to her sleeping beside me.  When we go to the nursing home or to school, she happily entertains the people we visit and takes in their attention and petting, but she always returns to my side.  Companionship like that can't be bought, but it's worth a million dollars!  I'm not sure what it is that makes that magic happen, but it's wonderful when it does.