Our CeskyTerriers were initially bred to work together in a pack hunting vermin. They are much different than other terriers who tend to be independent operators. We had Welsh Terriers who would dart out the front door and be off exploring at any opportunity. Our Ceskys stay home because they are pack dogs, and we are members of their pack. Stay with your pack!
It has been fascinating watching Kyrill, our 4 year old Cesky adapt to having a Cesky puppy in the pack. Over the past three weeks he has become increasingly solicitous and protective of Mitzi. He allows her to chew on and tug at his beard. She allows him to roll her over and drag her around. They snuggle up together and snooze on the sofa. They are starting to share their chews and toys.
I am an only child. I have no idea what it would be like to have either younger or older siblings around all the time. I see interesting parallels between how Kyrill and Husband, also an oldest brother, take care of the puppy. Husband seems to worry about how she is doing far more than I do, although we are both attentive to her. It is fun to be a member of a pack.
Who is in your pack? How do you think birth order affected how you deal with people and family?
Trail Baboon 
The pack is only Maggie and me these days. We’ve been sticking together a lot because she won’t let me out of her sight. This is not sustainable because I am a human and I have human needs. She and I will be stuck together for another week because we’re headed north today. Her sutures come out this morning so she’ll be cone-free. Tomorrow we will attend two rallies. One is at noon in Grand Marais, and another at 4 in Two Harbors. Maggie wears a t-shirt/onesie with buttons such as “Unpaid Protester” pinned to them.
I was the oldest of three kids. I have two younger brothers. I’ve been told I’m controlling and sometimes a little bossy. I was four years older than my first little brother and six years older than the second one. My parents gave me the responsibility of looking out for them, especially when we started riding the school bus. They weren’t fans of the idea, as you might imagine. We had wrestling matches over it and I used to win. Until I didn’t.
Nevertheless, it made me feel like I needed to care for others, and I became a vigilant nurse for those who couldn’t express their needs.
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Many friends of mine would have been at the TH one.
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I’ll wave a flag for them!
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I know my oldest sibling acts like the caretaker, and the middle sister was misunderstood and must have felt ignored given her attitude and life choices.
As the youngest, I was *special* and am told I got away with everything. And I was mom’s favorite, but don’t tell the others. 🙂
Our pack is all of us; all the dogs, all the humans…we all watch out for each other. And Kelly and I make a good team. If she’s worried about something I know I don’t have to worry about it. I worry about the stuff she doesn’t.
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Rise and Shine,Baboons,
Renee, the pic of the two dogs on the couch is really cute. It appears Mitzi has adjusted to the household.
I was the oldest of three, and I had a great deal of responsibility for running the household. As a result I can run any committee, but I hate doing it.
Meanwhile, have you seen this? A Chinese Corgi named Big Fat leads the pack home from being stolen, then escaping out of a van.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/7-dogs-were-kidnapped-their-corgi-leader-led-them-home/ar-AA1ZjR3l
It makes me want to nominate a Corgi for president. McGee should be ready in 2.5 years.
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Okay.
Here goes.
My pack are fellow “libs” on various websites. We devour the Trumpian Cultists. No mercy is shown. I can be vicious.
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Don’t mess with a Corgi though.
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Kind of like shooting fish in a barrel.
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Our daughter, who is our youngest child, functions like an only child since there are 9 years between her and her older brother.
Daughters who are the oldest child in the family are often described as being in the “super bitch” position.
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Hmmm…
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Yep.
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I’ve read that the oldest child becomes a leader type person, but in our case, my four-years-younger sister is just as bossy as I am…
My pack is now Husband, my sister in California, and a few close friends in that happy hour group…
OT: the older of the two lovely dogs from next door died yesterday. : ( RIP, Odin.
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Boo hoo
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Right now, I have my immediate pack, which is YA and Nimue. And I have to say the last three weeks, YA has been my pack leader. Thank goodness. I do have a large pack of close friends which makes up for the fact that if I get through next week without a sister-ectomy, it’ll be a miracle.
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That sounds ominous, VS. I hope you both mange to give each other as much space and grace as possible.
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Our pack at home is organized around Charlotte (the cat). Everyone in the pack has a role. I’m in charge of food and chief playmate. Husband is in charge of going outside on the deck. Son assists with food, play, and outside. Daughter is a visiting pack member in charge of treats. Grandson is viewed by pack leader Charlotte with deep suspicion.
I’m the oldest in the family, and I think it made me more responsible, and gave me my work ethic. My mom went back to work when I was about ten, and I was the first one home and in charge until Dad got home. As I got older, I was often responsible for making (or starting) dinner. I helped with housework (dishes, dusting, sweeping, litter box, etc.). My siblings didn’t have chores. Being oldest also made me more independent, which led to clashes as I got into my teens and early adult years. I think it all helped prepare me for parenthood and “adulting.”
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Why didn’t your siblings have chores? That doesn’t seem right.
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Good question, PJ. My brother occasionally took out garbage and my sister sometimes helped with dishes, but nothing regular. I don’t begrudge my sister. She still lives with my parents ( who are in their 90s) and keeps things going at home, so she has her hands full.
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When I was at the U of Chi was clearest sense of pack I ever had, it was a wonderful moment in my life. I wish had a better adjective for it, a specific one, but none I know of fits it. I was in a pack of 5 teachers at THHS. Only packs I have ever been in. I am officially moving to Willmar over the next two months to a senior independent living facility. I doubt I will be in a pack but I will need the social interaction.
Clyde, too old for packs
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Best wishes to you on this transition, Clyde!
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Glad you have a decision, and know where you’ll be!
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