Surprised I Speak Your Language?:Understanding those barks and meows

sfgate ^ | December 17, 2008

[JoeProBono]

When your dog says "Woof," you hear an eager, "Let's take a walk." And your cat has a certain entitled meow that you know means, "Put more food in my bowl — now!" You are not alone. Sixty-seven percent of pet owners say they understand their animals' barks, purrs and other sounds, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll released Wednesday. In a finding many parents of teenagers might envy, 62 percent of owners say that when they speak their pets get the message.

[rochester_veteran]

I forgot to mention that K-Ci also loves beer and when we're sitting out in the backyard during the summer, we have a beer bowl for him. The neighbors nicknamed him "Booze Hound":

[Dean Wormer]

With our old Lab, puppie treat became “PT” then spell p-u-p-p-y t-r-e-a-t. She understands all versions and drives us crazy for the darned things

[LucyT]

Thanks for the Ping, S&A. My pets never had a problem communicating. They also let me know I was fortunate to live with them, heh.

Meow-Meow.

Bark-Bark.

[lwd]

"Wolf ...Wolf"

"What's that?! FIRE! We must tell everyone! WOLF, WOLF...FIRE! FIRE" -From the movie "The Jerk"

[papasmurf]

My dogs and cat "lead" me to what they want, be it the door, food, their toys, or whatever.

My cat is a little more physical, though, if he's Hungry, he'll wrap himself up in my legs as I walk, over and ober and over again.

My dogs are smarter, though. They know their body parts such a nose, ears, tail, tummy, etc., and of course, they know what "kisses" are, too. They also know the difference in toys, and which bone belongs to which dog, and which is daddy's truck and mommy's car.

Mama, I love your Pom-ahua! Our little one is a mix, and we thought she was mostly Chia and Pom when I got her. Now, we're not so sure...

[Cyclone59]

both of my choc labs can count. If I put three treats in my pocket and only give them two, they KNOW I still have one left.

[papasmurf]

THAT is SO cruel!

Least you could have done was open it for him first. LOL

[misharu]

Ya mean like Scoobie Doo:

[MosesKnows]

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned-out light bulb?

Border Collie: Just one. And I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.

Dachshund: I can't reach the stupid lamp!

Toy Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

Rottweiler: Go Ahead! Make me!

Shih-Tzu: Puh-leeze, dah-ling. Let the servants. . .

Lab: Oh, me, me!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I?

Malamute: Let the Border collie do it. You can feed me while he’s busy.

Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.

Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark.

Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.

Pointer: I see it, there it is, right there...

Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?

Australian Shepherd: Put all the light bulbs in a little circle...

Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb?

[misharu]

Ewps — the pic of my Border didn’t come out. I REALLY have to larn that HTML stuph.

[TexasRepublic]

It is amazing how fast dogs pick up language. My aussies both spell and we have to speak in very cryptic language to avoid being understood. “Furry creature #2 wants me to lob yonder spherical object again, but I’m tired of doing that.” “It’s YOUR turn to mix up the critter’s fuel.” “Draw some H2O for you-know-who’s you-know-what.”

[SkyDancer]

And I thank you, Signed Roxie

[domenad]

Pahaaaahaaaaaa!

Don’t call that dog “Lifesaver.” Call him “@$#%head!”

[Slings and Arrows]

You’re welcome, and mine either. My cats, though, have periodic amnesia: They only remember their names when they’re followed by the word “Treat!”

[JimC214]

My cat speaks can opener, does that count?

[Dean Wormer]

Yes it is amazing. We were out of “PT’s” and my wife and I were making out a grocery list. The dog was sleeping on the floor near by, just the mention of “be sure and NOT forget PT’s this trip” was enough to wake up the mutt!

[LucyT]

Cute thing about all of our dogs, (three German Shepherds and a Poodle,) I had to teach them to bark. My son’s Chow lived with me one year; apparently it didn’t know how to bark either.

[martin_fierro]

Jane Starring, 48, of Barrington, R.I., says she and her family are confounded by their 8-year-old cat, Flannel, who often chases people about the house meowing.
"We're not sure we're making much progress understanding him," said Starring. "I don't know what his point is."

"RADON! THERE'S RADON GAS IN THIS HOUSE!"

[JoeProBono]

"How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?"

Now that was funny!

[rochester_veteran]

Least you could have done was open it for him first. LOL

Believe me, K-Ci wouldn't let us rest unless he got his cut! :-)