A report issued this month by New Scientist Magazine states that dogs can read emotions on faces just like people and can sense happiness, sadness or angry feelings in others. I could have told them that and saved them all a lot of money, but no one asked me. It is rewarding for those of us that have been saying this for years about our pets to have it finally confirmed with scientific data so we can prove to the naysayers we were right all along. I believe this was born out when the First Dog, Barney, bit the reporter at the White House after the reporter asked for permission to pet him. I’m confident Barney has noticed the stress his human, our President, has been under at the hands of the press and decided to put his two cents in. I know with one of my dogs, Budward, he is keenly aware of my level of stress. When he sees I need a break he goes and stands in front of the bedroom door and gives a low volume mrrrrrrrrr. When I look over at him he tosses his head back towards the bed, as if to say, come on mom, let’s go take a break and relax for a minute. When I respond by asking him if we should “get it on up there” he jumps on the bed and waits for me to come lay down for a minute. And after a couple of minutes of petting I’m calm again and he jumps down and goes back about his business. Budward is my best friend, and there is never a moment of the day that I feel alone because he has my back in whatever I do. After two back surgeries failed to cure what ails me, Budward has been there for me through thick and thin. He walks with me when I am able to exercise but he’s just as happy to lay next to me during those times when I can’t. No matter what the agenda, he’s up for it. But he’s over 11, old for big dogs, and he’s beginning to lose the use of his back legs, a common ailment in the large breeds even when they’re mixed breeds. We suffer together through the difficult times and we rejoice together through the happy times. He knows me like a book, much better than any of my human family members. He’s trying to teach Action Jackson some manners, and I believe he’s showing him the way towards being the kind of friend a crabby old woman like me needs around them. He’s teaching him to anticipate my needs, to guide me into taking a moment when I need it and nudging me into getting up when I need that more. He’s showing him how to be everything a best friend should be, anticipating the day when he’ll no longer be able to take the lead. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the day when he crosses the rainbow bridge. I guess I’ll be lonely for his love until the day comes for me to cross over the bridge. I know on that day I’ll find him there, waiting for me, and we’ll walk together like we used to in the old days before either of us got old and wobbly. And on that day, just like now, I know I won’t need to be afraid because my best friend will be there, waiting on me, watching my face to see if I’m afraid. It won’t matter if I’m fearful or stressed because I’ll hear that low volume mrrrrrrrr and see the nod, encouraging me to cross the bridge, calling me home. And we’ll be together again.
If you want a love monkey like Budward in your life, someone that knows what you’re thinking even before you do, check out the dogs and cats at the Randolph County Humane Society. If you can’t bear to go into the shelter to pick just one dog, check out the dogs available in Sparta, IL at www.FidoFinder.com and you’ll see all the animals available at the shelter. Or you can visit the RCHS website by visiting www.RandolphHumane.org. And if you’d like to share this Tail Talk article or any of the past articles, you can now visit www.TailTalk.org on the web, and all the articles I’ve written for the Randolph County Humane Society are there to be read and shared with your friends. Remember, it is only through you that we are able to continue to save lives, one by one.
