This is Sparkles (the tan one) and Snickers (the black one). Over the years we've had many dogs and one cat. Well, actually many cats if you want to count the three litters of kittens born under the overhang of our house which we finally brought to an end by catching "Mommy Cat" and taking her up north to a farm. We've had dogs of all sizes and personalities and they all hold a very special spot in our hearts. They brought us laughter, companionship and unfortunately, heartship when they became ill and had to cross over the Rainbow Bridge. The other night I heard Grandpa ask one of the dogs if she had to go outside and I asked him is he expected her to give him an answer....I mean did he expect her to say "yes" or "no" or shake her head? That got us on the subject on whether our pets understand us when we talk to them. Grandpa says of course they do. I, myself, do too.....to a point. I think it has to do a lot with the tone of voice you use when talking with the pet. I have tried this....no, really. I discovered that you can say to a dog in your most cheerful voice "You are a bad, bad dog" and his or her tail will wag and they will bounce around as if you had just said "Such a good puppy, good dog". You can practically see them smiling. Now if you would have said the same thing with a mean, loud voice, you know there would have been a completely different reaction.
I also do believe that they remember EVERYTHING!! One of our dogs was an Irish Setter named Rusty. Now, for the first three years of her life, he was the "bad seed" of dogs. He dug huge holes in our back yard. We sold him with the understanding that the buyers could bring him back if it didn't work out and they did....the very next morning. I was so frustrated with him one day (he was so darn BIG which meant BIG trouble) that I threw him in the car and drove him to the Humane Society. Someone HAD to want this dog. When they told me that they would hold him for only 3 days and put him asleep if not adopted, I put him back in the car and cried and apologized to him all the way home! Anyhow, one day while we were not home, he got into the basement rec-room and ate part of our couch. There was shredded foam and fabric all over the place. Grandpa was livid and and layed into that dog to the point that after that, everytime Rusty heard Grandpa walk in the back door, he would run down the basement stairs and hide. He remembered what it sounded like when Grandpa walked in that door and he remembered what happened on one day when he did, but they remained great pals. As it turns out, Rusty turned out to be the best dog ever and it was a very sad that hot summer day when he had a heart attack and we had to have him put to sleep.
I don't know if dogs can understand exactly what we say to them as much as "sense" things. I do know that they:
Sense when one of their "buddies" in the house is sick and I especially think that they can tell if that buddy will be leaving us soon.
Pick up on if one of us humans is having a bad day or is sick; they will stick very close. They especially can understand that someone crying needs some comfort.
Can tell if we are getting ready for a trip when the suitcases come out. One of our dogs would actually crawl in the open suitcase to make sure he was not left behind.
Will walk around acting lost when one of us is missing for longer than a day.
And, they definitely will know if they are loved whether they have done something wrong or have misbehaved. They know they will be forgiven and will not be "thrown out". (I think Rusty has passed that bit of info down to them from "doggy heaven")
Whether they understand us when we talk to them or not, I'm not sure, but I do know that Sparkles and Snickers (and all the ones that came before them) feel safe, wanted and are treated like any other member of our family....even if they are not human. That is the way it should be when you have a pet.
Thank you Peanuts, Tyler, Rusty ("Boo Dog"), Willie, Heidi-Beth, Fritzie, Sparkles, Snickers and Muffin the cat, for all the years of enjoyment and love you gave our family.
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