The People Whisperer

No doubt, you've seen Cesar Millan's TV program, "The Dog Whisperer."  Millan has an uncanny ability to relate to dogs and in a matter of minutes can figure out what is wrong with their behavior and how to fix it.

Here's a recent picture of my ole buddy Andy (he's an Aussie).  In our house, he's known as the "People Whisperer."  His ability to figure out what he wants, and how to get it, is likewise uncanny.

A couple of examples might help explain what I mean.

All Andy need do is walk to the door, and someone immediately gets up and lets him out.

During breakfast, Andy comes into the kitchen, and without so much as a peep my wife gives him a slice of lunchmeat (when she's making our son's lunch), or else I will give him a small handful of his favorite cereal--Captain Crunch (which we buy for him, since none of us eat it).

The pool guy shows up once a week, and without barking or whining, Andy merely walks up to him and is immediately rewarded with one or more dog treats (which the pool guy carries with him).

You get the point.  It is truly remarkable that Andy has us all figured out and has trained us so effectively.

But as you can tell, poor ole Andy is getting old (he'll be 14 in February).  He's not very active any more, his face is getting grey, and he snores when he sleeps.  He still chases cats, but half-heartedly, and while he still patrols his territory every morning, he doesn't have the same vigor he used to show.

We'll likely continue to do his bidding until he returns to the dust from whence he came (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:21).  Too bad.  He has so much invested in training us.

Comments

[pb]

KR, as a fellow dog lover, I am sure Andy will be going to the Rainbow Bridge when the time comes. No I can't cite you chapter and verse for that but it's just one level below gospel in this household at least!

["lee n. field"]

Our one cat sits and stares at the door, until it opens.

Our son-in-law opined that the cat must think he has magical powers. Which must make up for not having opposable thumbs.

[timinator]

Thanks for the funny Andy stories. He his so smart and yes he has figured out how to get what he wants without making you mad by barking. That is too cool. Got to love dogs.

Cats are ok but when they want something they meow until they get it.

Dogs rule and cats drull

[Brad. Huston]

So which of these is under the pavlovian spell, here? The people or the dog? ;o)

Brad

[hb]

Poor ol' Andy. Hate to see him getting long in the tooth (no pun intended), but he's still a handsome fellow!

[Kathy Bergman]

Dr. R - We met you at Dan's house not too long ago. We have 2 Aussies - thanks for showing us a picture of yours! You are so right - they train us well!! Best dogs in the world, even when you consider you have to attempt to be smarter than they are.....

[pb]

KR - Enjoy that boy for as long as you can. We just had to let my wife's 10 year old German Shepherd go, the cancer had gotten to be too much. We sent her back to the God Who made her and Who gave us to her. Never gets easy.