10/20/2026
Curi used to wrestle with Kaia every evening after dinner and potty time. Spy doesn't seem to get the game. The two start out cobbing one another in a precious, mutual grooming sort of way. It's so cute. Then Curi starts waving his open mouth around and play bowing and Spy says NO. She's very good about gradual escalation. She shows her teeth with a lip curl and repeats as needed. I have seen her step up to a growl, once at Curi, and once at a dog in her play group at the rescue. Once the other dog gives her space, she immediately calms down and is back to her friendly self. Her dog-dog communication is great. Seeing how well she managed a boisterous dog in her face in play group was a deciding moment for me being sure I should bring her home.
What made this interaction tonight so incredible is that Spy made an effort to communicate WITH ME. When Curi was continuing to gently mouth her and offer play bows, Spy nose nudged me pretty hard a half dozen times. She wanted me to intervene and tell Curi to cool it, so I did.
Spy doesn't beg, she doesn't bring me an empty food dish or indicate she wants out to potty, none of the communication Curi did before buttons. Nothing. But tonight she wanted something and she nose nudged me to get my attention. That is such a huge breakthrough moment. I'm so proud of her, for making an effort to communicate AND for recognizing that asking me for help was a better answer than trying to escalate with Curiosity.
But OMG does Curi need a dog friend who likes open mouth low contact games of waving one's face around showing teeth while singing.
Anyhow, it isn't as exciting of communication as Curi telling me to potty outside like him, BUT it is a huge milestone moment for the Spy-Spy.
