no subject

[punafish]

We got our two pups from the same litter about three years ago. Months into our adventure they started fighting viciously and we tried breaking them up at first. Then (duh) I did a little research. Yup, they have to establish rank. The younger they decide, the less they get hurt. So we let them duke it out. Took seven bloody rounds before the female finally submitted. (She fought admirably but didn't have a chance.) Aside from all the blood and gore, it was kind of interesting. They'd go at each other viciously until they both were exhausted, almost to the point of collapse. Then on cue, they'd "take a break", at which time they'd gently lick each others' wounds, only to hear an invisible bell in their heads that would start the next vicious round. The other interesting thing was that the male knew he was the alpha, almost toying with his over-matched sibling. His tail was up the whole time like he was playing. She didn't know until the very end that she didn't have a chance. Today they're best buds, although they get in little scuffles now and then. (Scares the hell out of folks on the other side of our fence.)