A Growing Family

Mother gave birth last night, ma'am. Sister and I watched from a distance. We wanted to be closer, but Mother kept snapping at us to stay back.

Puppies are very small, ma'am! And they cannot move very well, either. They do not know how to play, and if you try and teach them, you only get yelled at by Mother and Aunts.

Sister and I are only allowed to sniff them. Mother does not snap at us now, but we still do not dare come too close to her. She is sleeping now, and the puppies are up against her.

Everyone likes to look at the puppies. Father, Brothers, Aunts, Uncles. Everyone seems happy, but nervous. Sister and I got very silly with Brothers after Mother gave birth. Such a happy feeling, we could not keep it in! We ran and jumped and howled and laughed until Brother With Twitchy Ears tripped over Sister and fell next to Mother. Then we were yelled at some more and had to go lie down.

Puppies are not much fun, ma'am, and Mother is upset with all of us right now. We can not seem to help ourselves, though. Despite everything, we like the puppies. I must go now, to look in on them.

Wounded Pride

I tried.

I tried, and failed.

I challenged the resident Silverback today. It was earlier this morning. I could barely sleep last night due to nerves, and I knew I just had to get it over with.

The challenge did not last very long. He is bigger than me, and more experienced. His age slowed him down, but I was not well rested. I should have prepared better, but I was too rash. I can see that now.

My arm hurts. It got wrenched during the challenge.

The ladies, so many of them jeered at me. Those that were not jeering were instead very silent, and tried to hide themselves in the brush. Most of the outspoken ones had children with them. Some of their older children jeered as well.

I can not show my face there again. I must find and regroup with my bachelor pack.

Someday, I will have my own ladies. Ladies that will not jeer at me. Someday, I will have ladies that will stand by my side, and be proud of the Silverback they follow.

Love is in the air

She is nearby! I can smell her! Smell!

She is more beautiful than a shiny beetle. She smells nicer than Nest. I would give all of my storage seeds just to meet her!

She!

Must check to be sure it is safe. Safe? Outside of Nest, it seems safe now. Okay safe. Go find She.
Smell. She is near!

Seeds? No time to stop. JUMP! JUMP! Must find She!