Newfoundland Service Dog

[ina/puusty]

Touching..and informative. Questions were raised..and yet..it seems a balanced-bonding..of many kinds, and..levels. Each of us who has one or more canines within our family..actually HAS a 'service dog'. Not a one of us..who could not stop..at some point today..and try speaking..WITH..our furkid. Try it with no other distractions. Perhaps..think of an item..and wrinkle your expression a small bit, sound..hesitant..and see if, when you mention the book or phone or something they are not dealing with..but may have, deep in their awareness..a 'picture of', in tandem with the auditory signal..and note if they look. Do they start to decode a 'new happening'..from you..and then..they move, either quickly..or struggle..to 'deal'..wih this..'newness'? When you see a cartoon drawn to suggest the dogs only hear "blah..blah..blah"..that IS..the level..most people feel is going on. Oh they expect a few tricks to be learned, and to know the names of their people/and near neighbors, etc. True service dogs..have shown what a huge and extended number of informations they can deal with, and respond to. But..in my humble opinion..the general home with a dog in it..does not try..to see what conversation..CAN happen. As you pass through YOUR day today..imagine that you were only going to HEAR..the exact number/range of words..you speak..to your assorted animals. Only..those words. You would die of boredom..and so..do their spirits flag..and fade..if not challenged, and loved enough..to trust in their..ability..to communicate..at a much..higher..level. ina n HB

[ 10-11-2007, 01:27 PM: Message edited by: ina/puusty ]

 

[NessaM]

Well put, Ina! The other day I lightly sprained my ankle chasing Pooka around our dogwood tree. After 10 minutes of sitting on the ground thinking *ouch* and saying, "I do NOT have time for this" I got up and started hobbling towards the house. I called Nanook over to me and put a little of my weight on his shoulders. He was anxious to get to the house and was moving too quickly for me, my hand slid off of him. I called him back and put my weight on him again. He moved a little too quickly again and my hand slid off and I came down hard on my ankle and made a noise of hurt between my teeth. He stopped dead, turned and looked at me, and then stood very still until I was next to him again and put my hand on his shoulders. Then he set off carefully, and when he felt my hand sliding down his back, would stop until I was with him again. Without me asking for a thing.

It is INCREDIBLE how much a dog is capable of figuring out given the opportunity to do so.

 

[2Paws]

I love seeing videos like this. It gives me a big bubble inside of my chest.

I hesitate to share this experience for fear you may all think I've totally went around the bend but I just can't keep it to myself after reading this post.

I heard once at a water workshop from a very reputable instructor that newfies have the uncanny ability for ESP. It was exciting to hear but I wondered....were they just saying that to make us newfie owners feel good?

I have "felt" messages from Benson through the years. By choosing to pay attention to these messages, I have learned so much from him. I have conveyed messages back to him. I believe he has heard them too. These messages aren't commands or long wordy messages. Very short, mostly just a feeling.

In your own way, Nessa, you conveyed a "message" to your boy and he heard you and responded. I think that is so exciting.

 

[Yogi & Cordelia's Erin]

Sue,
You are not crazy. All animals are capable of it. But not all humans are open to the possibility.


You are not crazy. You are just open to the possibilities.

Amazing things happen when you are.

Love,
Erin

 

[NessaM]

I agree. Perhaps it is not what most people think of as ESP - a literal reading of your thoughts - but ESP stands for extrasensory perception and I'm sure my newf is more sensitive to my body language, facial expressions, and moods than anyone or thing else on earth. I think dogs and other animals are equipped with stronger senses, and maybe even extra senses, that we can't use any longer - and the things they can do with them are amazing!

 

[baloobear2]

I can personally testify to Newfies making good service dogs as that is what BALOO is. He loves it and when his vest if off he knows he is not working. He is just a normal dog. He still is like velcro to me but he does like to play and socialize with other dogs. He literally saved my life I would not be here without him! I tell people he is my angel with fur.

Mickey and Baloo