Introductions: Pieta
Puppy-face girl who's all business
Pieta arrived with Bella during the 2014 June long weekend in Australia.
She was 6 months old at the time, wary of humans and still in training as a poultry protector.
A friend of mine was experiencing domestic violence issues, and the perpetrator didn’t limit his activities to the humans.
She moved to a new, smaller property, which didn’t need the four Maremmas who previously used to guard some hundreds of hectares running goats, sheep, cattle, and poultry.
Bella and Pieta bonded at the time, and came as a pair.
Pieta, in particular, taught me a lot about aloof Maremmas, and how they give you attention and affection in their own time. She mostly refused to allow pats and touching until she and Bella escaped and went on an Overnight Adventure, which was beyond stressful.
Bella woke me from a very sad sleep - I was convinced I’d never see them again - with a gentle, apologetic “woof” outside the kitchen door literally at daybreak (which, given it was December, was extremely early - and already very warm!).
When I belted out crying with joy, Pieta rolled on her back - “sorry, I really am very sorry!” - and requested 10 minutes of tummy-scratches.
From that point, she not only accepted attention, she solicited it.
But after 10 minutes of being happy scritched puppy, she’s done. She goes back to her flock.
A not-uncommon trait of Maremmas.