Anyone who has read this blog will know that I am a little obsessed when it comes to observing my furry babies. My SO and I have observed and identified each of their personalities, their quirks, and their individual natures that make them unique in the world of our pack. So when I tell you that pack bonding is real and crosses species, trust me when I say I have put in the hours to back up my claims. And yet, it still amazes me everyday; these little creatures have built and nurtured their relationships with each other to the point that they all have a unique connection to the others in the pack- not one of them is the same.

Understanding Pack Bonds

How did I get onto this topic? The other night, I was reminiscing about my old rabbit, Wally. My companion through college in Boston, my move back home, and our move to Washington, D.C., he was very alert, bold, and as “outspoken” as a bunny could be. He lived to welcome Willow, Tiberious, and even Thor into the pack. And even he had his own unique relationships with the animals he met. He would groom Tiberious, and he was the only creature Willow feared. It was that personality that established his place within the pack. Both cats respected his boundaries and when they didn’t, Wally would remind them with a quick nip or a well placed kick.

I’m not going to lie; when my SO first introduced the idea of a “pack” dynamic, I thought he was just overdosing on Cesar Milan. Yet the more I read and learned, the more it made perfect sense. It also helped that my SO is a dog whisperer (that’s a whole other blog post!). Today, I see the same dynamics  between our guinea pig, cats, and dogs. They are their own little tribe who demonstrate they care about each other in their subtle way.

Pack Theory 101

This blog post is a good introduction to pack theory. As with everything, there are many schools of thought when it comes to the pros and cons of this particular behavioral understanding. Personally, I found that the biggest misunderstanding is the idea of obedience through fear or force. The reality is that dogs, like children, crave consistency. The idea is that you, as the pack leader, sets out behavior and hierarchy expectations to the other members. This allows each member to understand what is expected of them, as well as finding their own unique role within the pack structure. In my experience, by enforcing expectations and rules, each unique personality in your little pack ends up finding their niche within the group. Knowing what is expected reduces anxiety and allows them to thrive within that role.

Losing a Member of the Pack

Over the years, we have welcomed and lost members of our little pack. The pain of loss never gets easier, but knowing we made a difference in an animal’s life makes it worth it. People who say that they were just a pet, an animal…they’ll never understand. The best way I can explain it is that this little creature is with you every day. They are your companions; they see you at your best and worst. This Washington Post article delves into the real psychology behind the grief of losing a pet and how it can actually affect us more than the loss of a family member.

This is why I can’t accept when people insist that animals are simply reactive creatures, with no soul or emotion. Maybe it’s because it’s such a pure love, connection- whatever you want to call it; perhaps that is why it can be hard for us to comprehend the hows and whys of how animals connect with each other, and for that matter, us. All I know is what I have seen, what I see everyday, and what I’m sure I will continue to see as I share my life with my furry little misfits.