Della and daughter

We did the usual morning feed routine shortly after 6:00 a.m. Everyone spent a little time outdoors and then came back in to settle down for the first morning nap time while I started work. The first time we went back outside I just took Della and Maze. It hadn't been that long so the others didn't really need to go out and without other dogs around, and with morning energy levels, I thought it would be the best chance for the two Danes to engage in play. 

Maze has always been ready, willing, and able. It was really a question of whether Della would judge her to be a worthy play companion. Della has been sizing her up since she arrived. I've seen her watching Maze and there have been a few overtures, play bows, and invitations but they had yet to really engage in full contact Dane play. This morning they did. 

Maze has been very submissive to Della since she arrived and that was a good strategy for getting along, but for play purposes Della really wanted her to stand on her own four feet and jump and play. She seemed to get that message across and Maze picked up on it pretty well. These videos were all part of that morning play session. They did some again this evening when we were all outdoors but I was working and missed most of it and didn't get any more pictures. That's okay, I just glad they played. Happy for Maze because she's really been wanting Della's attention. I'm happy for Della because she's finally had a Dane playmate that she has been missing since Serena died.