Monday, March 5, 2012

Talk To The Animals



 At tea time, when the dog, Jip, came in, the parrot said to the Doctor, "See,he's talking to you."
"Looks to me, as though he were scratching his ear," said the Doctor.
"But animals don't always speak with their mouths," said the parrot in a high  voice, raising her eyebrows. They talk with their ears, with their feet, with  their tails -- with everything. Sometimes they don't WANT to make a noise. Do you see now the way he's twitching up one side of his nose?"
"What's that mean?" asked the Doctor.
"That means, 'Can't you see that it's stopped raining?'" Polynesia answered. "He's asking you a question. Dogs nearly always use their noses for asking questions."  (from The Story of Dr. Doolittle, by Hugh Lofting)

During my college years, I majored at various times in English Literature, French and Anthropology. I finally found my way through Speech Pathology to Audiology - a science of communication. I am also the daughter of a veterinarian. So I come naturally, almost genetically, to an interest in animal communication.

I often wonder what my cat and dog discuss while I'm at work all day. I wonder what my dog, Tess, "hears" on the wind as she stands, stock still in the yard, smelling the latest news. I have seen my animals huddle in mostly silent communication in my kitchen, and then watched the cat slide the screen door open for the dog - and had the distinct feeling that the dog asked her to do it. I also spent a very sad night, years ago, sitting with my dog and watching my twenty year old cat pass from a coma into death. When it happened, my dog, who had lived with the cat for more than eight years, sadly licked her head, sighed, and then tucked her own big head unto my shoulder as we mourned together.

No one can convince me that there is not inter- and intra-species communication. We humans are just too carried away with ourselves to credit it.

Have you heard about Google's  'Animal Translator' app or the 'Doggy Translator' app? Here's a link to an amusing ad that shows you how they work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I24bSteJpw

The above photo was taken when I was traveling with a friend. As I waited to meet up with her, I was appreciating the  wizened face of the Golden Retriever who was enjoying the morning air on her stoop. The apparently cheerful little guy came bouncing along, and , I swear, I could almost "hear" the conversation as he stopped by for a visit. After a greeting and some brief gossip he continued along his way. When he passed back by on his way home later, they simply nodded and smiled, having had their conversation earlier.

Can you post some animal communication pictures in our Flickr pool today, and add a caption of what they might be saying?

I couldn't resist also adding the photo below taken by my friend, Terry Hood. That's me communing with the alpacas. I was having a good time -- I hope they were.....

     

                                                 

21 comments:

Kim Stevens said...

I loved this post, and I'm right there with ya! There is absolutely some kind of communication going on and I've always wished I was Dr. Doolittle!!

Leigh said...

This is great Carol! And I totally agree with you that the animals communicate with us. Whenever I'm feeling down or sad my cat and dog can totally sense that what I need is some snuggles from them.

Dotti said...

This is truly a heart-warming post. Love the photos, love the thoughts. Love you and the alpacas! My daughter had a beloved Westie who was her constant companion during some rough patches. He knew exactly when he needed to crawl in her lap and lick her face, he never failed to bring a smile to her lips even as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Oh, yes! He knew. And as his trusty house buddy, an aged Golden, descended toward his death, little Fitzy was right beside Texie, watching over him. Yes, they know. We don't have any pets right now so I won't be able to add a sweet photo to our Flickr page but I sure do look forward to seeing all the others! xxoo

janel said...

What a timely post. We just saw The Artist last evening, and recently visited an alpaca farm....just love it. I think sometimes the "unsaid" or the "wordless" communication means more or is more touching than the word communication. What a great way to begin the week. LOVE the lighting in the alpaca photo too. Thanks for your post.

Jolanda (Jofabi) said...

Hey girls! This is a beautiful and touching post. Love the confluence with my blogpost. http://www.jofabi.nl/2012/03/05/communicating-with-animals/ Amazing how things fall together.

Last week I received a copy of a spiritual magazine in which I had put a short ad for animal photography. Just because there is an invisible bond between pet and 'person' that is so important to capture. That moment also fell together with something I experienced last week. So I knew I had to write about it.

I had a photo shoot with a Maine Coon that is frantic for strange people and sounds. His owner wished there was a way to do a photo shoot. A few years ago I participated in a two-days workshop about communcation with animals. So I suggested in a very careful way to let me try to 'contact' her cat, Sky. I know not everybody is open to believe. That is ok of course. In a short meditation I asked Sky to join me. Hmm... this sounds weird maybe. There is (in)visible communication between animals, and also between animals and human beings. Sky's respond to the meditation and to the photo shoot proved that for me.

Would love to see your Alpaca shots Carol! Are you going to post them in the Flickr group? Have fun with this prompt!

xoxoxo
Jolanda

Claudia said...

Your animal photos have always been awesome. I love how we humans give our four legged loves human characteristics. What joy they bring.

Hugs!

CarolAlbers said...

Me too! Wouldn't that be fun? Thanks for the comment.

CarolAlbers said...

That's so true - they have a sixth sense. That[s why I'm a big dog girl. I like a real hug!

CarolAlbers said...

I can't wait to see the posts either - I can't get enough furry faces!

CarolAlbers said...

I never connected the two in my head - but I can't wait to see The Artist, and I guess that's why.

CarolAlbers said...

So you are the cat-whisperer, huh? No wonder you get all those wonderful, calm shots! I am at work today - but I will definitely spend time on your blog tonight. I will also post the alpaca pics (maybe as a set?) tonight. We are kindred spirits when it comes to loving animals!
Thanks for commenting.

CarolAlbers said...

Isn't it funny that you just emailed me about animal pics this week? I had already written this then. Over and over we photographers seem to be in the same frame of mind. (No pun intended!)I think it boils down to that we are all nature lovers, in any form.

susan said...

Love your post, especially that photo of you with the alpacas! You look so in-the-moment with those furry four legged friends. So, so sweet! I bet that was a fun day for you. :)

I always feel like my little Lily is constantly wanting to have a conversation, just by the way she looks at us. Especially when we are all at the dinner table...eating! ha! I have the sweetest, nicest dog out there...but I bet we all say that about our furry family members. Thanks for such a sweet post!

Carol said...

Thanks Susan - I love Lily's name - I can just picture her!

Focusing on Life said...

I read your telepathy blog and loved it. Where is your portfolio?

Unknown said...

Oh Carol, I love your post. The more I get to know you through your writing and photography, the more I feel like I have known you forever. That photo of you and the those gorgeous Alpaca really shows your heart. I have two dogs, and we live in the woods. Even before the fox come prancing in our yard, Cocoa and Sam are barking, and in such a speak that I know it's not a human, but an animal. Wish we had what ever they have for knowing when danger approaches before it's staring us in the eyes.

What a fun app, now what will they think of next? Carol, I love the look in your face looking up at those Alpaca. Doesn't God have a sense of humor to have created such whimsical animals for us to enjoy.

Karen

Unknown said...

Carol,
I had to come back and tell you that I popped over to your link. That really cracked me up. Thank you for the giggle.
Karen

Linda said...

Such sweet dogs! I do think animals understand way more than we give them credit for. Maybe they are smarter than us since they know what we're saying but we don't know what they're saying! Our little dog is so persistent though, when she wants something she doesn't give up till she gets it! Smart one! Sometimes it takes us a while to figure out what she is asking for!

Jolanda (Jofabi) said...

We are kindred spirits for sure Carol!

You can find my portfolio in the menu on the right top corner of the site. Hope you enjoy it!

Carol said...

Wasn't that fun? I happened across it and thought it was a riot

stephmull said...

Such a fun post, Carol! The photo of you and the Alpacas really made me smile! We don't have any pets right now, but we've had them in the past and they definitely add something special to our lives!!

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