Nova Peak before i tumble homeward.

There is probably a brand of maternal instinct that forces you to assess each child on their own terms and celebrate their victories without comparing them to anyone else's.  In Bazi's case, it certainly wasn't learned behaviour; she would never make the logical decision to reward Great Effort or mollycoddle the weak. But Whittier was different. Whittier was her baby. Where the other three were rewarded for excellence, her plumpest offspring was showered with love for doing not very much at all - especially during these private moments away from the pack, when the alpha mother only had her own judgmental feelings to overcome.

When he returned from his little romp around, Bazi slumped obediently to her side. It was beyond time the pups were weaned, but she didn't care; Whittier could feed until he was four years old if he wanted to.