We got it!

It was another beautiful fall day in Kansas on Friday. I had leaves to rake and the two dogs were just enjoying being outdoors. Remarkably, after 17 months of living together, the 8 year old malamute and the 4 year old herding dog have figured out how to play together. The herding dog is really a playful dog and often plays hard with dogs she meets at the dog park - she will run with them, bumping shoulders, chasing or being chased, and often one, or both dogs, will roll side-over-side at high speed, or do a 360 on the spot to let the other dog pass. Somehow, a very tall, 90lb malamute was outside her comfort zone (not that I blame her). He would initiate play and she would just give him a look and move away after about 30 seconds. He has a very large mouthful of teeth and he isn't always gentle enough with them. But now the herding dog has suddenly figured it all out. The funniest part is when he tries to bump shoulders with her, using his height and weight to advantage: she moves to the side just far enough away that he falls over. Ha!

Well, this photo looks a little awkward, but it shows the malamute getting up from a rest to initiate play. I'm so happy that they figured this out!!!