What Are They Thinking

This Sunday it was a bit too brisk for us to go out hiking.  I'm guessing Bunny and Morgan probably would have been okay, but Mr. Taleteller and I are wimps about the cold weather.  This meant that our Sunday afternoon found us sitting at home with the dogs and watching a movie.  The movie we were watching was Temple Grandin. 

For those of you who have not heard of her, Temple Grandin is doctor who is autistic.  Her field of study is animals.  She has a gift for sharing what it is like to be autistic and also to design facilities for the safe handling of animals.  Her autism has allowed her to think and see things the way animals do.  Most of her work has been with livestock and the movie deals with how she helped to change things in the cattle industry.

Watching the movie made me think and wonder what it would be like to see things the way our dogs do.  I feel like I have a pretty close bond with each of them, and I can guess sometimes what they must be thinking, but at other times, they baffle me.  When we're together, they seem to be very content. 

One thing I'm curious about, though, is what they're thinking when we're not together.  Do they wonder where we've gone, or are they content just napping in their various favorite spots?  If we leave with just one or two of them, do they wonder why they were left behind, or why they got to go and the others got left behind?  Alas, I digress.

What I do know is that while being cooped up inside really isn't much of a hardship for the Greyhounds, it induces strong cabin fever for Morgan.  Blueberry and Lilac seemed happy that we were all home together, and Bunny was happy to share the couch with me.  After Morgan attempted to pounce on Blueberry as she hobbled by, use Lilac as a chew toy, continued to agitate Bunny and play bitey face with me (ewwww, my lips have touched dog lips), Mr. Taleteller decided to take pity on us and try to amuse her.

He started with the puzzle cube.  Morgan had no interest in tipping it over and getting the food out.  Harrassing Bunny still seemed like a lot more fun.  So, they practiced their obedience work for a bit.  This held her attention for a little while until Blueberry decided to show that she can still do obedience with a splint on.  Finally, he resorted to trying to teach her a trick.  They were working on her keeping a treat on her nose.

I am not sure who ended up being more amused by this endeavor.  Mr. Taleteller was laughing some.  I was laughing.  Morgan was pouncing on treats that happened to slide askew.  Even the Greyhounds were amused by watching Morgan try to keep the treat on her nose.

She didn't master the trick yet, but I'm sure that she will end up getting it with her usual determination.  I could see the wheels turning in her mind as she worked to achieve the goal my husband had for her.  Either that or she was thinking a lot of words that I can't type here on the blog.  Maybe it's better if I don't know what they're thinking!

A Walk With Dad

This is Morgan, using the computer for the first time with a little help from Bunny.  I had a great adventure on Thursday and I wanted to share it with everyone.  Mostly it's pictures, but I had a fun day.

Dad was having a bad morning at work, so he decided to take the afternoon off.  He said that's one of the perks of being the boss.  Anyhow, he came home and let us all outside.  Then he loaded up just me in the van and we set off on an adventure!  He sent Mom a text that said we were having some Dad and Morgan time. 

It turns out we went on a scouting mission to Mathiessen State Park to see if it would be a good place to go back to with Mom and Bunny.  Dad says no way could Blueberry do the hiking there, but Bunny probably could.  I think that it would be fun to go back with Bunny and Mom.  As long as we all stay together, that is!

So, we went for a nice long walk in the woods.  There's even a creek there where people and dogs can go swimming and cool off.  The bridge we walked over had a lot of water on it for some reason.  It's a good thing Dad and I were tough.  Don't believe that business about me being a prissy dog.  It just isn't true. 

I had to keep an eye out all the time.  You just never know when hidden dangers can jump out at you!  Take this rock, for instance.  I walked into the water to sniff at it and it MOVED at me!  If it were up to me, everyone would have evacuated the creek immediately, but no one else saw the danger.  Fortunately, everyone stayed safe.

Soon it was time for us to go home.  I took a little water break while Dad changed his shoes and then it was time to go home.  I am happy to report that the Greyhounds and Mom all stayed safe in my absence, too!

Oh, and we're joining the Pet Blog Hop again today!  Thanks to Life With Dogs, Confessions of the Plume and Two Little Cavaliers for hosting this fun event every Saturday.  If you'd like to join, add your link and copy the code to join in!