Dog Stories: Dino and Roy, Pack Brothers

I learn from our pack every day. Take Dino and Roy. They fight, play, compete, and sometimes tell on each other like brothers. It’s taken a while for them to get to this point in their relationship.

Up until about six months ago, Dino was the top dog in our home. Then came Roy, bigger, younger, and full of three-legged attitude. As Roy learned to trust and become part of the pack, Dino was figuring out his new role in the pack. It hasn’t always been easy. At times Roy wants to play more aggressively than Dino wants to at his age. The Dino of a few years ago would have given Roy a run for his money.

Then there’s Dino’s favorite thing to do, bark at the window at deer, the neighbors, or just about anything. It’s one of the things Susan and I like least about Dino. So Roy, who just like a younger brother is always trying to please us and show up his elder, has taken to firmly correcting Dino when he goes on one of his barking binges. The upshot, Dino is learning to bark less at the window, not thanks to us, though we’ve sure tried, but thanks to Roy.

So Dino and Roy bicker and compete, but they’re also learning to co-exist and even enjoy each other’s company at times. Just this morning, I caught them sharing a toy. Yes, I learn so much from our pack, like how to adapt and accept.

There’s a lot more to Roy’s story, some of which I’ve shared. And there’s much more to Dino’s story, too. And I look forward to sharing that in upcoming installments of Dog Stories.

Dino and Roy, they fight, play, compete, and stick up for each other just like brothers. (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Dino and Roy continually evolving the pack rules. (Mike Barzacchini Photo)