What does Maude, Jeanie and Julius' dog, teach Jeanie in the novel, Unsettled Ground?

The more time Julius spends away from home, the more reliant Jeanie becomes on Maude's companionship. Therefore, when Maude suddenly goes missing one night, and Julius fails to return home, Jeanie feels entirely abandoned. Maude later resurfaces, thus teaching Jeanie about the importance of balancing independence, solitude, and companionship.