Howl of Canine (Repost)

[spirit_queen]

"And I as well," Rika said. "Alright, I'm ready to go back."

[Miranda_]

Dolph took a few minutes to pull himself upright and on his crutches, then he too was ready to go back.

[spirit_queen]

Rika headed slowly back with him. "I'd never have thought it so before we came here, but Eltos is good with his cub."

[Miranda_]

"I try to be good with mine," Dolph said. "But it's difficult to go against what was our tradition before we came here."

[spirit_queen]

"You're good with yours, too; still a bit awkward at times, but this sort of thing really does go against the grain for you," Rika said.

[Miranda_]

"It's hard to adapt to parents looking after their own cubs," Dolph said, "After a lifetime of having the cubs all in together and then looked after by a nursemother."

[spirit_queen]

"It's a completely different set-up," agreed Rika.

[Miranda_]

"It's like the way the humans raise their cubs."

[spirit_queen]

"Yes, it is," Rika said. "It doesn't give them a very good sense of unity, though, does it?"

[Miranda_]

"Not really. Maybe it would be better if we could incorporate something of our tradition," Dolph said. "Like during the day, having all the cubs together and looked after by a few camp members? That way, the parents would occasionally get a break and be able to rest up sometimes. Sharama finds it difficult to deal with Ayame sometimes; she's just not used to having along with me total care of a cub. It's just not natural to us."