Games Siberians Play

"Finally! Alone at last! I am free to express my Siberian softer side!"

Contradiction. Conflicting desires. Angst. Bliss.

It's hard to believe that these could be the foundation for any relationship,  much less a healthy one. And such is the definition of the relationship between Mr. Wild Dingo and Juno.  You'd have to own a Siberian, or be owned by a Siberian, to understand.

Each night she wrestles Loki through the front door for first access to Mr. Wild Dingo when he gets home. She bounces happily, cries with glee and swishes her tail gaily as she darts into him for a quick kiss. For a few minutes she continues to dazzle him with her open mouth smile and playful leaps.

But as the evening wears on, we find her yellow eyes glaring at him, expressing displeasure, jealousy or annoyance. Maybe he's playing with Loki or maybe he's tapping on his keyboard. Whichever it is, she doesn't approve. The persistent glower of her yellow eyes always gives her away.

Mr. Wild Dingo approaches her with an olive branch, only to be met with deep growls and disgruntled groans. He persists and she offers him her paw.  "Awe, shucks pop, I don't mean it," she sighs sheepishly with her ears back.

Only over the holiday vacation, while Mr. Wild Dingo spent more time at home, did Juno display less conflict, fewer sullen huffs  and more relaxed sighs. One more piece of her complex emotional puzzle falls into place: she resents his long days away from home.

As we settle in for the evening, her yellow eyes stay beamed to Mr. Wild Dingo until he falls asleep. Only when she's sure he won't get up again, will she find a more comfortable position, one that suits her Siberian coziness. Maybe it's stretched out on the tile between the bathroom and bedroom or perhaps even upside down in her bed. Still, it will be a hot day in Oymyakon, Siberia before she ever purposely exposes her softer side when he's looking.

"Pssst. Mr. Wild Dingo. Quickly and quietly---check out Juno! She's exposed!"

"Did woo just say Pop is looking or are woo just pullin' my tail?"

And just like that, she flops over to her side, keeping her pink belly to herself.

Thank you, readers, for your kind words on the last post. It was a rough two months but I'm doing much better now thanks to a few changes in treatment. I still have a long way to go before recovery, but at least the constant headaches that I had 24/7  have lessened. I had a few good days recently and I know they won't last long, but heck, I'll take it.  Yesterday I had enough energy to take them on their first big hike since October. Juno's shoulder has been healing very well with PT and rest so between my good day and her recovery I thought it was a good way to celebrate with one of our favorite long forest hikes.

Juno kept up a great pace, without lagging or limping and I could see she was happy to have a normal Siberian-Formosan adventure day. I continue to ice her shoulders after every walk. Mr. Wild Dingo continues to give her deep shoulder massages in the evening, despite her initial protests that give way to eventual bliss---the typical saga of her internal conflicts.

The games Sibes play.