Power Struggles

Finley has strength.
Henrietta—speed and stamina.

Early in our dog park romp, Finley owned the stick.
He teased.
Henrietta loved every minute of the game.

As the pups tired, Henrietta owned the stick.
Fin was tired.
Henri teased.
Fin loved every minute of the game.

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Henrietta wants to be the boss of her people.
She is obstinate and stubborn.
Did I mention she’s really fast?
She still bites us sometimes.
Okay…daily.

The trouble here is…Henrietta is not equipped to be a boss in the human realm.

For months we’ve been playing this game….
She runs away from me when I try to put her leash on.
This morning I decided—NO MORE!

I stood in place, said HERE!, and pointed at the floor next to my feet.
Inside my little head I kept repeating,
I love you and want to take you for a walk.

For about ten minutes, I held my spot while Henri fussed.
She whined.
She fiercely shook her cloth soccer ball and growled.
She ran into the foyer and cried.

And then…she submitted.
She walked to the door and allowed me to leash her without complaint.

Believe me, that was only the first of many challenges.
On our walk, Henri went crackerdog several times.
She got vicious when I tried to pull her away from Farm Cat Observation Point.

That’s okay.
She’s learning and so am I.
Together we’re going to sort this out because…
I love the brat and I won’t give up.

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I know I’ve said this before here….all emotion stems from love or fear.

To which do you give your power?