Thank you for your responses to last week’s survey! Your words brought a smile to my face and a lump to my throat. I appreciate your honesty and encouragement and will seek to address your questions and suggested topics in future posts. Today, I relate the differences in how my poodles interact with me to developing a sweeter intimacy in marriage.

Before breakfast, before a rawhide chew, and before play—Max, my male poodle, leans his big body into mine and groans with ecstasy. My grandfather used to say, “Grunt big,” when he embraced us. Max grunts big.

On the other hand, work comes before affection for our female fluff-ball. Cosette has earned the title “Secretary of Squirrel.” With military posture, she watches over the bird-feeder from her post at our kitchen window. She ignores any attempt to engage her. Her body tenses when a squirrel appears; she looks to me and zips to the front door where she can sneak around back for a surprise attack. After she’s chased them off, she trots in smiling, tail wagging. Now she’ll connect with me.

Does one dog love me better than the other? Continue Reading