Body Language of Animals Do they Translate?

Body Language of Animals Do they Translate?

I know we try to see humanity in all different things of life. Humanizing animals is an example where we can relate to the animal in some way as we translate actions or behaviors they do in a way that would make sense to us if we were wearing their "body suit".

I have a duck named Daisy who cares to share my backyard of my home. She has quite a personality. ( I say this right after the preceding paragraph) There are a number of routines she goes through. She seems to for example have quite a "thing" for the Australian Sheep dog named Max. Well he looks like a large duck, except he has two extra legs, fur, a nose which doesn't quite look like a yellow bill, and he weighs around 75 pounds. Otherwise he looks like a duck! ( At least I think that is what Daisy tells me) I see her frequently paddling after Max, trying to give him a poke in the posterior or try to settle down and sun her self by Max. Max the dog has at times tolerated this behavior, but I swear if he thinks he is being observed... He has to leave and act as if it is an insult. (Is this all my perception, or is he really getting prepared for dog poker such as described in an earlier post?)

Daisy lately has been going through a morning routine of standing upright and performing an odd little march, walk or strut. She would look more like a penguin if she waddled. But this walk is straight and true. So one day I had the honor capturing her on film with her little act. She is now posted on video.google.com and youtube.com So long after she passes into the next realm, her walk can be enjoyed by everyone out there.

Daisy does her job providing entertainment every day. Whether or not the audience is watching or not. I suppose that is a lesson we can learn from a real professional in the business. Sometimes when you post information on the web, you have to assume both extremes.. You are sharing information whether or not the audience is watching.

Goose Stepping Duck

Daisy Duck is a local legend in Southern Oregon. (At Least that is what she told me.) It is rumored that she twirled the baton in traditional mid-western High School Marching band. When interviewed, she only said "QUACK". She still does a great a goose step with or without the baton.

Dogs, Cats and Humans. Can they all play poker together?

Dogs, Cats and Humans. Can they all play poker together?

I am not sure if we should... But what if we could? I have been fortunate enough to have know cats and dogs over the years from the casual level of acquaintance such as a cat saying "hello" to me from a fence on the way to elementary school. ( I am still not sure who was on the fence. The cat or myself. Perhaps the cat was on the way to elementary school.) Okay I was silly enough for the moment. But have you had the opportunity to study how some cats and dogs "talk" with each other? It is quite an experience to see the facial expressions of a dog when they "suffer" the attentions of a cat who has chosen to adopt the dog! I wouldn't dare to equate a dog to same intellectual plane of humanity.. But what goes through a canine's brain about this "cat thing" taking such a shining to Mr. Dog. What would the other dogs at the office do if they caught him getting a rub over by Ms. Cat?

On the flip side.. I have seen dogs who never have had any real contact with cats, suddenly having to deal with a new life in a new home with cats. Some take it well, in some cases.. Well best leave it that that it wasn't love at first woof. I have come to know a new dog in my household who had the new experience of living with another dog AND living with a CAT. This new dog would tell me by her actions and voice , that "did I know a cat lived here?" "Did you know a cat lived here?" "Did you know a cat lived here and ran under your bed?" "Did you know the cat lives here and still is under your bed?" "Did you know that I keep sticking my big dog head under the bed to say hi To the cat, but the cat keeps moving back?" "Did you know the cat is fun to play with?" "Oh I am supposed to be gentle with the cat... Well that is not fun" "Did you know you have a cat here" On and on. Well that went its cycle for about four months until "Sheesh, its the cat. What does it want?" The last bit of information that still stuck in the new dogs conversations with us concerning the cat. (The dog is about five years old and adopted from a friend who moved out of state) "Gee that cat has great food. Why can't I eat it?"

So where does the bit about poker relate to this post?

I still see in my mind's eye the various paintings of Dogs playing poker. But what about cats and dogs playing poker at the same time? I would hate to look what was on the snack tray!

Which lends to another post about being a pet and having to share the news of raiding a fellow pet's food.