My dog can talk. Really! She can. Well, maybe not in human words, but I can tell by the intonation of her voice, by the sounds she emits. When she's hungry, she whimpers in my ear and then runs to her bowl. When she's angry with me, her whimpers become a verbal lashing; not growling or barking, but actual doggy words with the craziest expressions. If I could ever once capture them on video, I would post them here for everyone to hear.
I try to imagine sometimes what it would be like if she could really talk like humans. What kind of words is she spouting at me when she is upset with me? What would she say to the sounds she hears outside at night that make her growl deeply under her breath? What is she whispering in Becca's ears that only Becca understands?
I've seen pets stay closer to people who seem to connect with them and understand their needs and wishes. That's what Libby does. When she wants to be petted or go outside or have a snack, she knows who to go begging to - my granddaughter. She knows that Becca will hug her and pet her and listen as Libby whispers in her ear. She seems to know when the dog wants to go outside and when she wants a treat.
I asked Becca once, soon after Libby came to live with me, how she knew what Libby was asking for. She said it was the sound of the dog's voice. The sound is different depending on what she wants. High pitched and panting means "I have to go out NOW!" Soft sounds and a nose in the ear means "I want a treat, please." And the crazy changes in her pitch and tone when I've been gone for more than fifteen minutes - well, I know what that sound means. She's angry for having been left alone for so long.
I hear that sound every time I come home from somewhere. It starts the second she hears the car door shut, increases as I struggle to get the front door unlocked, and crescendos when I get inside as she chastises me for leaving her alone AGAIN!
Libby is a loving dog; she loves hugs and being petted, and she knows when someone is feeling bad. When I was sick with COVID, she rarely pestered me for food or to go outside; I kept her on her regular schedule, but in between, she quietly rested on her bed and waited for me to wake up on my own.
But Libby can also be extremely stubborn and demanding. As soon as she knew I was back to normal, or at least pretty close, we went right back to the nose in the ear (and I mean way down in the ear, snot and all), sniffing loudly to wake me up. And she will NOT take "leave me alone" for an answer. If I do not jump up right away, or she thinks I'm taking too long to stand up, she begins snapping her teeth at me. I know she would never bite me; that's just her way of demanding I pay attention and grab the grub. "Get your lazy self out of that bed and get my food!"
If Libby was able to communicate with humans, in words as well as expression (she's got the expression part down pat), I wonder if she would want to act more human as well, like getting a job. I like to visualize the type of work Libby might enjoy outside of our home. Something that suits her personality.
I believe if Libby could talk, the perfect job for her would be caring for older adults. A retirement home would be a perfect place for her to work. She would be kind and gentle with residents there, but would rarely take "no" for an answer when they refused to get out of bed or take a bath or eat their meal. I can see her laying her head in the lap of an elderly woman to comfort her because she seems sad, or leading a gentleman down the hall for a nice slow walk. I can also hear her "barking orders" at two residents deliberately having angry "bumper walkers" in the hallway.
Maybe she could work with children in a school. I can imagine her herding a classroom of PreKs down the hall to the gym for physical education and taking no backtalk or whining along the way. I can also see her putting her head in the back of a stubborn teenager who is running late for class and pushing him down the hall while she growls her admonishment. I see her standing by a child who is afraid on their first day of school, speaking kindly to her, and gently guiding her through the day with love and understanding.
Yes, if dogs could talk, the things they would say and do would amaze us all. But then again, they might decide that humans, with our obsessions, prejudices, anger, and selfishness aren't worth trying to teach, guide and love. They may choose to remain silent after all. Maybe that's what they're doing right now!
Oh, if dogs could talk. Can you imagine it?
