My father and his wife were here to help me for several days. With their help, I actually got home at 5:15 Monday with only dinner to make. I thought, doggy time! I let Morrigan, Trojan and Lexus out of the kennel and let them run around like idiots for about 15 minutes, then I put them back in the dog house and let Rex out, off lead. This was his first off lead experience with me outside of his enclosure. He has been coming when I call his name and his good behavior has really raised my confidence in him.

Anyway, he watches me walk down our field road with The Three Amigos, (Morrigan, Trojan and Lexus) everytime we go. He knew exactly what was going on and where we were going. He started off bouncing down the road, tail straight out smelling and peeing on everything as we went. The first quarter mile is all down hill and he was having a grand time. The next quarter mile is across a rolling hillside where we cross three seeps/streams. This was also very exciting and we played in the mud and he enjoyed it between his toes. The whole time he is running into trees and tripping over briars. (Yelping when they hit 'vital' parts.) His woodcraft is slightly below par.

The trip back home is about three-eighths of a mile. We basically make a triangle. The trip back is mostly uphill and through the thickest brush. I discovered an old calf skeleton, (Rex misssed it completely!). I picked up one of the femurs and gave it to Rex. He took it very gently and the dog carried that treasure all the way back to the house! He was really dragging as we finished. He was just tired. When I placed him back in with Roxi, he walked up to her and dropped that old bone at her feet. Well, it was Christmas, Easter and Halloween all at once for Roxi. First she licked his face and then picked up her treasure and proceeded to gnaw the knuckle of that old gray bone. I was proud of both of them. They have really bonded.

Roxi has always presented the face of an outsider. She has always wanted to be the leader but that post is firmly held be Morrigan. Since everyone else tows Morrigan's line, she has been kept at arms distance. With the addition of Rex, Roxi has the friend she has always wanted and needed. With him here, she has the physical and emotional bond that she was never able to have with the others. Its a good thing.