I heard the most wonderful – and I think, true – observation about dogs on the radio the other day. I don’t remember who said it or where, but I thought it was one of the funniest and wisest things I had ever heard about dogs.
The man, I think he was a biologist of some sort, said that dogs understood a number of human words, but they only know or speak one single word themselves.
I was eager to hear what he thought this word was, and when he said what it was, I almost had to pull over to the side of the road, it was so wise and true and funny that I had to clap my hands and smile.
He said the one word that dogs know is “Hey!”
And, he said, they say it all the time, over and over again. When I came home, I watched Fate and Bud and Zinnia closely for awhile.
I could just hear them speaking. When they want a treat, they rush over to me, and all should “Hey!,” when they want to go out, they run to the door and shout “Hey!,” when they are chasing a ball or coming in to eat or chasing each other around the yard, I can now see – even hear – them shouting “Hey!” to one another.
And no doubt, when they see another dog running or walking in the woods, they definitely shout “Hey!,” as in “what are you doing in my woods?”
Hey, I’ve got the ball. Hey, there’s another dog across the street. Hey!, there’s a chipmunk in the woodpile, Hey!, Jon and Maria have come home, and most important of all, Hey!, we want to eat.
Zinnia came rushing out of the muddy swamp this afternoon, she said “Hey!,” look at me, I’m a mess.
It’s the only word they know and the only word they need.
Zinnia is coming into her own as a Lab. Good that it’s warm weather, and you and Maria have outdoor hoses. Thinking it over, I think the only thing my many dogs ever said was “Hey!”
You’re the very best! Lot’s of luv to you!
Thanks for all the great books.
Blessings to you and Maria and your dogs.
Oh my Zinnia you have been a busy girl today!?
Long ago New Yorker cartoon about this:
Thanks to Professor Fofram’s invention, we can now understand the language of dogs.
Before: are, are, are
After: hey, hey, hey
Looks like the princess isn’t afraid to get a little dirty. Good for her! This was my laugh for the day. Thanks.
That should be “Arf”.
Hey Zinnia, you funny girl, you always make my day!
Back in the day when I was still able to walk great distances, I loved to take my dog to the dog trail near the river. One day there was a crowd around a car and a man was leashing up a large and extremely muddy dog. The mud covered it from nose to tail and the man didn’t have any towels in his car. Lots of people would bring large coolers of water for their dogs since there was no water source on the trail. About a dozen people, me included, donated their water supply so the man could rinse the dog off before letting it in the car. You guessed it – it was a yellow lab, although it’s colour wasn’t apparent until after the fourth or fifth pail of water. The man was resigned to washing his car later but the lab had a huge smile on its face. Each pail of cold water only made its tail wag faster. That was at least 10 years ago but Zinnia’s photo brought it all back. Thanks for the smile.
For all you dog lovers, I highly recommend the Chet and Bernie Mystery series by Spencer Quinn. Told from Chet, (the dog’s) viewpoint, it is such a humorous and witty look into canine behavior. The author did his research but also added his touch of humor to the dog’s behavior. I see my dog in a whole new way 🙂 and I really believe she can count to two!
Jon, Thanks for your delightful blogs. And also your “One Man’s Truth” blogs. Excellent!!