Another Dog Story

I know that I’ve promised I won’t give you story after story about “my” dogs.  actually, “my” dogs means Lady (my white miniature schnauzer), Katie (my neighbor’s border collie), and Paisley (friend’s Australian shepherd).  Paisley and Katie have visited several times in the past months.  Of course, Lady lives here.  They are all willing to be together – sometimes two and sometimes three.

Their vocabulary of English words is definitely increasing.  It always surprises me when I realize that they have learned and are understanding additional words and phrases.  Of course, they know their own names – Lady – Paisley – Katie.  They also know simple words like come, sit, outside, no.  I usually don’t talk to them in one word sentences.  It doesn’t seem natural to me.

 If we are out in the big back yard, and they are refusing to come with me into the house, those single or two word sentences come into play.  It becomes “Kate, come.”  Or, KATE, COME!”  Substitute any dog’s name for Kate’s.  Sometimes, they simply want their own way and choose to ignore my command.  We do get that resolved very quickly.

Most of the time, however, it is, “Do you want to go outside?”  Kate and Paisley know this sentence very well; they go immediately to the door that leads outside.  Lady is still learning what to do, and it is taking some time.

Conversation is a two-way street.  When Lady is outside and wants to come in, she has trained me to respond to one bark to let her come into the house.  She also will sit beside me and give me “that look.”  I’ve learned that the look  means, pick me up – I want to be held.  So, I do.  She snuggles into my lap and will often stay for as long as thirty minutes.  After she eats her supper, it’s time for snacks.  She gets three – which she can count, by the way.  If I seem to be forgetting to give her the first snack, she jumps up onto my leg, repeatedly, and gets my attention.  She continues to remind me for each of the three treats.  Then, when the three have been given to her, she stops reminding me.  So, yes, she can count.  And, the dogs can tell time.  Breakfast, dinner, and snacks come at a specific time.  And, they had better be available or else.  They let me know.

When Katie stays over night¸ she goes to bed at 9 P.M.  After going outside for the last time, I tell her “Go to bed.”  Off she goes to her bed located on the floor by my bed.  Lady also goes to bed, then.  But, she gets to sleep on the bed with me.  Paisley is also allowed to sleep on the bed; all I have to say to her is “Paisley, get up on the bed.”  And so, the night begins.

The fun has increased lately as I’ve observed that Katie’s and Lady’s vocabulary has increased.  I think dramatically.  The first time I noticed Katie’s understanding of new vocabulary was a day when her mom called that she would be picking Katie up in a few minutes.  I said to Katie, “Your mom is coming, right away.”  She was in the back of the house with me and became very excited.  She proceeded to run to the front door to wait.  As I arrived there, she sat to have the lead fastened to her collar.  She was really ready to go home!  She knew what I was saying to her.

Lady was sleeping in her “safe place” in her bed on the blue loveseat in the TV/Office.  Katie’s mom called to ask if I would be able to have Kate during the afternoon.  She would arrive in just a few minutes.  So, I said to Lady, “Kate is coming over for our afternoon.”  I promise you that this is true.  Lady got down from her bed and ran barking to the front door – where she knew Kate would be coming into the house.

I know.  I know.  You may be thinking that it was my imagination.  It was not!  She knew that Katie was coming.  Even though they don’t play with each other, it is clear that they like being together.  And, I like having them.

They almost always get bones for chewing.  It becomes a game of musical bones.  Only two words come into play during those times is when Katie comes into the TV/Office room where Lady has her bone.  Katie wants to take Lady’s bone.  I say, “Katie.  Nooooo,” in a low quiet voice.  She looks at me out of the corner of her eye and, apparently, decides it’s not worth her time to take the bone, just then.  At least, until I’m not paying as much attention, and she gets the bone, anyway.  Smart dog!

I love these dogs.  It is so much fun to see their language develop (even if you may not believe that it is so).

Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are appreciated.