Strive to Play Like Puppies

Each morning, I take Bruno, J-Lo and Iggy out for recess at “Puppy Preschool”. They are all members of my four-month-old class. Bruno, being the only boy, usually plays alone or rests at my feet. The energy of the wild girls is often too much for him (and me), as the dynamics in the relationship of these spirited girls has changed over time.

Iggy is Georgia-born and bred, and has lived her entire life at Mother’s Finest Bulldogs. To have her tell it, though she be but little, she is fierce and runs the place . . . or at least she used to. When the girl from Oklahoma showed up in September, things changed. J-Lo, only 11 days Iggy’s senior, is taller, heavier and “baby’s got back”! Initially, Iggy ran circles around J-Lo. After all, she had the home-field advantage, knew all of the best hiding places, and had long since marked her turf. Iggy had not had to share toys, and didn’t take to kindly to the suggestion.

Not to be outdone, J-Lo showed her skills in fetching balls and successfully commandeering the tug rope. Iggy pretended not to care, but her frustrations showed in the way she would stand by and let J-Lo run herself to death before engaging in play. Each time they played together, it usually resulted in the teacher (that’s me) having to separate them and call time out. I was beginning to think they would need individual play times, but determined to make them get along. That was then . . .

Now, they are inseparable. If Iggy is going outside, she barks for J-Lo to join. If J-Lo is ready to eat, she howls for Iggy to be served at the same time. Their relationship has evolved from growling and snarling at each other, to playful sister-friends who share a home and even a bowl of food or water!

So, what changed? I suspect they stopped stereotyping and making assumptions about each other, and observed things they honored, admired and appreciated. They felt loved and cared for equally – both individually and collectively. They experienced the joys of sharing and peaceful playtime without the need for others (me) intervening. And most of all, they learned to value each other.

We could learn a lot from Iggy and J-Lo!