Some timeĀ ago I promised I’d scale back the messages about our new dog, Toby.
A new development has occurred. It’s all good, and it’s worth sharing. Perhaps other dog owners out there can relate.
I’ve mentioned in a previous blog — or perhaps two —Ā that Toby is a pretty smart little guy.
It turns out heĀ understands English quite nicely. So, with that, my wife and I have been forced now to spell certain words out rather than just say them. You know, kind of like the way new parents do with their children — and just as we did with ours.
Toby know the words “walk,” “treat,” and “ride.”
If we blurt out “walk” within Toby’s earshot, he jumps up and starts running around the entry-way doorknob where we keep his leash. We get a similar response to the word “treat.” His ears perk up and he runs into the kitchen where we keep his bag of snacks. And, of course, the same thing goes for “ride.” Since he loves riding in either of our vehicles, he heads for the leash.
Yes, we have to spell these words out now if we say them in a context not relating to Toby’s activities.
My wife and I only thought our nest was empty when the younger of our two sons went off to college those many years ago.
I’m not going to bet against our dog learning more words that will keep us on our toes. For all we know, he might even learn to speak them.