Yes I talk to my dog. She and I critiqued the red carpet last night.
A dog is one of few animals that will lock eyes with you and only turn away when you do. So when you do talk to them, they appear to be positively and attentively listening.
Of course if you remember Gary Larson's take on listening dogs, you will agree that though they are trying, they are faking it.
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| Gary Larson Far Side |
But that is OK. Faking it is sometimes better in a listener for you know they are not judging a word you are saying except for the few they may recognize like their name, cookie, lets go, sit or stay. Maybe more if you have really worked with your animal. Most dogs can fake it for as long as you can talk. However, saying "vet or bath" will have them abandoning you and heading for the doggie door.
Cats usually don't care for the chatter. Their eye lids go to half mast when they realize petting is accompanying the words, then their lids snap shut and purr. Purring is kind of like a friend who is not listening but periodically says "uh huh" to pretend interest. Cats are obviously faking.
The beauty of a dog listener over a human one is that they never disagree or think you are stupid. They know you are in charge of affection, food, potty breaks, exercise and a comfortable place to live. They would never do anything to upset the system.
If you have pets, do you talk to them and perhaps tell them things you don't even tell your spouse, best friend or significant other?
Looking at that cartoon I've realised my partner is like a dog! Lol. I don't have pets anymore so I just talk to myself. It works well, no one disagrees with me that way.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, that is funny Joey but true of several spouses. Enjoy those conversations with yourself and you are right, no one knows us like ourselves.
DeleteWhen we pet sit, I always chat with Brown Dog Bill. He looks at me so intently as if the answer to my problem is on the tip of his tongue. I think he is also trying to communicate that a walk would be the perfect way to reach resolution. We should hurry up and get a move on it.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteYou are so right. I have seen that "I know what answer you need. If only I could talk." look.
Gary Larson’s Far Side was a favorite of mine. I don’t have any pets now, but have had dogs and a cat. Definitely, dogs are the most engaged in communication, even registering some differing reactions than just a steady gaze — a turn of the head, tipping to one side or another, ears perking or not, tail movement varying, eyes pleading or questioning but ever engaged. Of course I would talk to my dog, and you may choose not to believe this, but he answered sometimes in a nonverbal manner.
ReplyDeleteJoared,
DeleteI believe you. I had a friend with such a dog. She could ask the dog yes or no questions and the dog would look right for yes and left for no. It was amazing.
I love to talk with dogs, too. They are the best listeners, and yes, it's obvious when they are interested in your monologue. You have the best posts. :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteThank you, so pleased you think so. Bet you had a lot of dog conversations on your visit to Florida.
My dog, Levi, communicates in nonverbal ways that I swear are mind-to-mind transfers. He's also very vocal, relentlessly so when he wants something that I don't want him to have. I read a dog training book when he was young that talked about the importance of eye-to-eye contract with your dog and we do our best 'talking' that way. I laughed at your description of a cat. So true!
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteI agree that dogs seem to crave the eye to eye contact. They will hold it as long as you will.
Of course I talk to my dog. Izzy the Wonder Dog is very vocal back. She "talks" but doesn't bark which we find funny here.
ReplyDeletePeggy,
DeleteCallie did that talking--not barking-- a while back when a friend of mine visited. She got right in my friends face and made sounds that seemed almost desperate attempts to communicate. Same friend who soon after had to have surgery.
I always talk to my cats, and you got their description down perfectly. They might (or probably will) vocalize if the petting stops but otherwise it is a one-way conversation.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind because I'm one of those uh-huh people, most often when the person I'm talking with can carry on a conversation even without my input. :)
Eileen,
DeleteThose one way people conversations reminds me of a post I did years ago. Just may have to rerun it. Glad you agree about the cats.
I talk to all the critters we run into on our walks. An old, old dog found us out on a walk the other day. Oh yes, he followed and we talked and talked. Lucky for him (and us) another neighbor saw us with him and talked to him as well. She helped us find his people (tags on his color with his vet's location and number), and was able to get him reconnected. It was a lovely conversation.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteI remember that incident and was so pleased it had a happy ending. That you paid attention to him made all the difference.
Dogs don't understand most of the words, but they are experts in tone and body language.
ReplyDeleteJoeh,
DeleteThat is so true. Sometimes I will tell Callie that she is the ugliest, most useless dog in the whole world but in such a sweet tone that she about wags her tail off.
My pets are all long gone, but I still talk to them.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteSorry they are no longer around but glad you keep them in your heart and mind.
Dogs make the perfect companions.
ReplyDeleteFun60,
DeleteYes, yes, yes. They ask so little and give everything of themselves.
I talk to my dogs all the time and usually they are the smartest things I've talked to all week! They think I'm pretty smart because I know where all the treat are and how to open doors to let them in and out. And they are always glad to see me. Can't say that about most people.
ReplyDeleteSnickelfritz,
DeleteThey do put us on a pedestal don't they and that is a pretty nice place to be.
Dear Patti, I talk to Ellie, Maggie, and Matthew (cats) all the time. Much of that time is when they are, individually, lying on my chest or lap. I tell them how beautiful they are, how dear, how intelligent, how resourceful, how clever. They like the sound of my voice I'm sure!!!!! and the feel of my palm on their backs. I like the purr in response.
ReplyDeleteBut also, I tell them about my own doubts about life and the decisions I'm making and how I'm trying to get used to aging. They often fall asleep on me when I talk, but I figure that the weight and warmth of their bodies on my chest is the comfort I need at the time. (As you know, I'm a real cat lover! But I admire dogs for their exuberance.) Peace.
Dee,
DeleteCats have mastered the art of snuggling haven't they? The beauty of both species is that neither is judgmental. They love us when we have good days and seem to pick it up when we have a bad one.
I do talk to my borrowed cat, but, you know, he is a cat, and really only interested in food and stroking.
ReplyDeleteLinda R,
DeleteWell you never know. He certainly is persistent and he does have another feeding him. Think he likes your company a lot.
I talk to Chancy all the time and tell him secrets sometimes. lol I have had cats that lovee to talk back to anyone that would talk to them. PoohGirl would meow a certain way that sounded like she said "mama". All the siamese cats and siamese/mix not only seemed to listen but talked in cat talk back to me. I talk to all the wild critters in my yard too. Interesting post sweet Patti. Hugs and nose kisses from us to all of you.
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
DeleteKnow what you mean. Minnie, the cat, talks a lot, sometimes with each step she takes:))
I talk to my cat, but don't say much of any significance, usually things like, "I have to go bye bye today but I'll try not to stay out too long" so she knows I'm leaving her for a few hours, stuff like that. I find dogs easier to talk to because they pay attention, or at least appear to.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteI get the feeling they do also. It is the attention look dogs give you when you talk. Cats probably listen but they tend to fall asleep pretty quickly.
I don't currently own a pet … HOWEVER my 3 children do and, although they are all completely different breeds and temperament I get along with all … to my kid's amazement.
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
ReplyDeleteOther people's dogs are like grandchildren. All of the pleasure and none of the care or worry.
No pets, but I sure wish I still had a dog. I miss the companionship both at home and on the trails. My last dog - a golden - was a great listener unless I was scolding her. Then, she'd turn her head away and become deaf.
ReplyDeleteYes, both my husband and I talk to dogs. I don't think I've ever shared secrets, but I'm sure they would keep them.
ReplyDeleteI've always talked to my dogs, and other peoples dogs, and dogs in passing. Dogs & cats seem to like me, and often try to tell me their story.
ReplyDeleteThough he is a good listener...I swear, living with Willie is like living with a little ol man. He doesn't like my driving, or snow, or rain, or cats, or squirrels, and his favorite pastime is napping...
No more pets, darn it.
ReplyDeleteMy dog, dear Boston talks. He really does. It is amazing how he has this low throaty sound that makes it seem like he is talking. He does this when he is happy, excited, upset, or when he sees that in us. It is uncanny. I need to try and record it.
ReplyDeleteHe is the best dog we have ever had. He senses when we need extra care and love. I think it a gift beyond the spoken word. Some dogs speak human emotions and they hear what we are saying when we don't say a word.
My gr-daughters have a 1.5 year old dog, Lucy. She is pit/lab/and other. She is big, about 60 lbs. and the most gentle of dogs. Her eyes, oh those eyes.
ReplyDeleteI don’t have a dog, but I’ve talked to my granddog when I’m in Maryland. He just looks at me like he’s listening to be polite and then he goes back to sleep waiting patiently for my daughter-in-law to come home.
ReplyDeleteHi: just wanted to thank you for your comment about the font I used on the blog entry about my actor friend. That was posted by mistake and your comment alerted me. Thanks again. Ginnie
ReplyDelete