Worthy successors

I want to thank everyone who expressed their concern and shared our grief over losing Maya. Things are different around here today, and we all know it, but no one seems quite sure what the changes will mean. 

I took up the two beds that Maya used, the one under my desk and right next to my side of the bed. I couldn't stand to see them empty and also didn't want to see anyone else occupy those spots just yet. While I was at my desk working today, I still kept my feet tucked under my chair as I did to avoid having them in Maya's space under the desk. That's an old habit that may take a while to change. 

The day started out quite chilly, but the sun was out and by afternoon it was really pretty nice. I took Maya's two most worthy successors, Della and Bailey, on a hike. 

Della and Maya always got along. They came to an understanding early on. Maya was at an age where she was happy to cede many of the female alpha dog duties to Della, who easily stepped into the role. Maya maintained what was most important to her, which was her status as my little girl giving her the right of closest proximity to me at all times, hence her bed under my desk and right next to my bed at night. 

Bailey is still very much a puppy and she was always deferential to both Della and Maya. By the time Bailey came along Maya wasn't doing much hiking with me anymore and she was happy enough to let Bailey take up the slack there. The two girls did hunt together in the pasture a lot and I have no idea what all Maya may have taught her, good or bad. 

No dog will ever replace Maya, but her roles around here will get divided up among the remaining dogs by necessity. I expect Della and Bailey will work things out between them in a power sharing arrangement that suits them and the needs of the household.

I gave Bailey an "up" command and she immediately started looking for something to jump up onto. She is also getting pretty good with "left" and "right" verbal commands, which Maya had mastered, at trail intersections.

The Rivanna river was looking very pretty today in the background.

I had missed the Virginia bluebells, but found other wildflowers in bloom, including these wild rhododendrons. 

And of course the dogwoods are in bloom now.

Four miles, good for my whole body and my soul today.