A normalizing walk under a dramatic sky

Clay and I walked out to the pasture with six dogs this evening: Della and Serena, Max, the foster pair of Thor and Betty White, and the new girl, Greta. I had considered taking Greta on her first hike today with Maya. But work demands didn't really allow time for it and besides, I really want Greta to feel "homed" here before I take her out exploring any of the wider world. 

I don't think she has had dog friends, and maybe not much in the way of human companionship, but she seems willing and even anxious to make friends. That need to bond is coded into the shepherd DNA. She is so well behaved indoors, it's hard to believe that she had been abandoned. Greta is becoming more relaxed and more comfortable with both of us and even with the other dogs. Everyone seems to know that she's uneasy and they aren't pushing her or getting in her face. Every new dog who comes in scared makes me miss Trooper and the calming effect he had on the scared ones. 

The sky was beautiful this evening so I took a lot of landscape pictures. It may be one of those "you had to be there" things, so just keep scrolling if you get bored.

Serena and Max vied for the same ball briefly, but Serena always prevails.

Even if she didn't on her own, Della is always likely to show up and back her up.

That's Thor running past Della, chasing Betty White, I'm sure.

Betty White and Thor ran circles around everyone out there this evening.

Greta stuck nearby, obviously a little uneasy. Notice that she's dragging a six foot

leash and trailing a 15 or 20 footer along as well. We didn't need either.

I'd love to capture her run in slow motion and study the stride.

That's Greta in front of Clay, Thor is chasing Betty White.

She was seeking out and enjoying human contact.

That hair loss on her nose will fill it, she will fill out and grow and shiny new coat and

will be a striking and beautiful dog.

Here's Greta and Betty White together.

I love this picture of Greta because you can tell from the long red leash stretched out

behind her that she has walked in a straight line directly toward me, and with a wag in her tail.

We are getting closer and closer to a smile.

The colors were incredible this evening.

Thor kissing up to Greta.

Serena and Thor

I love this because Greta has positioned herself next to Clay, 

sitting down with her head directly under his hand for petting.

Yes, I know it's three dog butts, but it's Greta engaging in

a normal dog behavior side-by-side with two other dogs.

That's a beautiful thing.

Clay took Greta back inside and I put Max and the other two fosters back into the dog yard, leaving just the two Danes, Della and Serena. That's what Della had been waiting for and she took advantage of having Serena's full attention focused only on her. Horse play ensued. https://youtu.be/GxbG-RxJ-fY