Polite · Thursday August 21, 2008 by Julie
Java’s social life is dominated by Snowy, a half-grown shepherd who has as much energy as she does. They’ve stopped crashing into people and furniture but rambunctious is still the word.
A typical session will begin with them tearing at each other and colliding. Then they run around the house a few times. Java finds one of her toys and gives it to Snowy, who grabs it and runs away, closely pursued by Java. Finally, Snowy stops and gives the toy to Java, who grabs it and runs away. They alternate until finally, one of them flops down, panting and puts their paw on the toy. The other one comes over and stares at the toy. Now, the one who has the toy can either growl or remove their foot, and the other one responds.
Java taught Snowy to play tug by flopping a toy in his face until he caught it, then bracing her feet and waiting. After about ten tries, he got it and now it’s a favorite game.
They spend a lot of time with their jaws held open like crocodiles, mouthing each other’s neck, legs, and face. The etiquette, as with the chase game, demands that they alternate who is on their back and who straddles the other one.
It’s rare to see human children play so even-handedly.
