From romper to rompee

The dynamics of the pack is interesting to watch. All this time Jiggy has been harassing the daylights out of her mother. Rushing at her, jumping on her, biting her scruff, grabbing and pulling her collar and generally being a nuisance trying to dominate. Queenie sometimes takes it, but sometimes she gives a stern bark and Jiggy backs off. Sometimes she has to get rough and snap and rush after Jiggy for her to stop.

Jiggy dare not try that with Tunda, her father, the mad one. Although he sometime humours her, he displays his annoyance when he's had enough. He warns her with a deep, continuous, disapproving growl till Jiggy stops the romping and cowers into a crawl position, licking him under the chin in apology. Zeeks tends to ignore her and move away. Jiggy however has met her match with Rebel. Only a year apart in age, they are both still very playful. But Rebel is very rough with his play. He doesn't realise his strength and size.

Now Jiggy has just come out of heat and her associated quarantine on the veranda. With freedom regained, she is allowed to join Rebel in the front yard. But she is having quite a hard time relaxing. Rebel does not give her a chance. Hmmm.....what goes around really comes around.

Rebel is doing the same thing Jiggy does to the others. But with his size and strength it is worse! He is behind her, running her down, leaping at her, jumping on her back, biting at her scruff and throwing her down. She rolls over to submit but Rebel continues the romping. She shrieks when he unintentionally hurts a soft spot. He just doesn't know when to quit.

Finally I call Jiggy back on the veranda to give her a break....but as soon as she gets in, there is Rebel right behind her squeezing through the gate. The two engage in a mad scamper of chase. Now cornering her, Rebel grabs Jiggy's collar as if to pull her up in the same way I pull him by his collar. So I grab his collar under the long, shaggy fur and calmly lead him away and put him out.

Had I not intervened, mummy Queenie would have jumped the fence separating back and front yards, and let Rebel have a piece of her mind. .....and surprisingly, he listens to Queenie's rebuffs !

Hopefully Rebel and Jiggy learn how to play without the wildness as they mature. And just maybe Jiggy will learn how not to behave! Meanwhile mummy Queenie remains the mediator, coming to Jiggy's rescue when she transforms from romper to rompee.