So, I think my dogs are finally friends. I do not know for sure, because all I see is pictures that make them look like friends, but I guess I’ll find that out tomorrow.

My new puppy, Kona, has been around for over a month now, and I think Bella finally warmed up to her. Whether it is her warming up or her just saying, “Dang, this psycho is sticking around, isn’t she,” and just dealing with it, I do not know. But, my family will take it either way.

At first, Bella would not go near Kona. And all Kona wanted to do was be near Bella. Opposites attract? Maybe?

My sisters have been sending me pictures of the two dogs sitting near each other, laying down together and even going on a walk side-by-side.

Maybe they are just getting lucky and snap the picture at a perfect time, but I am going to be optimistic and think that when I walk through my front door Friday the two of them will be the best of friends.

What made me convinced that they are best friends now was one certain picture my sister sent me. If nothing else, that was all I needed to think that the two have finally turned a corner.

They were laying on a blanket on the ground today and Kona had her head, yes her head, on Bella’s body. When the two met, Bella would not even let Kona sniff her.

The last time I wrote about these two, I said how Bella had to suck it up and deal with it and lighten up a little bit and that Kona did not need to go 0 to 100 every second.

That was how it was. Kona ran everywhere she wanted to go, except in a terrifying way with her paws flailing all around. And Bella hiding and barking at Kona, who, by the way, was only one month old. I told Bella she had to cut her some slack, and maybe she did.

Part of it too is I do not think that Kona realizes how big she already is and how fast she is growing. She sees tiny Bella as one of her own, and that is a blessing and a curse.

But Kona is going to learn soon that if she gets too intense, she will hurt Bella and they will go back to being sworn enemies.

The way she is going to learn: Getting stuck under the couch.

Yes, Kona, who is a medium-sized dog, is still able to be picked up, but it is a tough task. Picture how big she is? Well, she army crawls, completely spread out under the couch, somehow manages to turn around and get curled up and just watch everything happen around her.

And she is not getting under easy, but it is easier getting out because she can at least get set up to go under; she is trapped when she tries to come back out.

It is a learning phase for sure. I think we are getting somewhere. But then again, I have been wrong before. I Just hope I am not this time.

Sean Hastings is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-2812 or smhastings@eiu.edu.