Brut Pack Leader

Brut is not a natural pack dog or born leader, due to his upbringing before we got him.  There were times in the heat of his aggression that I would think he would have been better off being an only dog.  He was designed to be lone dog.  I didn't think he'd ever be able to handle being a pack dog, let alone become such a great leader.  For a while I felt guilty putting him in such a position with Zappa and Fiona, not to mention the Front Dogs coming back.  The stress of so many things changing so fast was overwhelming for all of us, but with Brut's demeanor it turned him inside out and exasperated his own issues.

Dogs were his biggest threat to him and Brut lashed out like a caged animal..  And I wondered more than once if we had pushed his limit.

Then there would be those tiny miracles, some loving affection or playtime that would pass between Brut and another dog and all was not lost.  And I could feel that rusty wheel starting to turn in the other direction.  And I had hope.  If I hadn't seen this miracle with my own eyes, I might not have believed it because it always seemed like it the next breath it would all be crushed and we would be back to square one.  But each time the renewal kept getting stronger.  He was learning to live and enjoy his pack mates.  He just never know how to do it before.

That's when we witnessed this thrashing, out of control dog, grow into becoming the competent and secure pack leader who is calm, and thriving among his pack.  And just needed some help along the way.  Of course there will always be some flare ups, Brut will always be Brut.  But a saying a heard a long time ago keeps carrying me through:

 Don't give up before the miracle happens.