Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could understand our pets’ language?
I’ve had many cats in the past and nearly got to understanding them, they have far more facial nuances that dogs do. Dogs tend to scrunch up their noses, do the sad eyes, “Have I done something wrong” look, and snuggle down down with you for affection. Rejection wise, although I have never had a dog do this, you have to treat them badly, is the tail hunched down between their legs. That is a sign of utter fear.If I ever see a dog like that, and I have – I wanted to beat the living daylights out of the owner! I always wonder they have done, probably nothing.
If you look on the internet the silly dog pictures tend be be of them wearing comical jumpers/hats/shoes/Deely Boppers/head through curtains/upside down if huge dog trying to be small! There’s also the one ear up, one ear down.
Cats on the other hand do not need props. Perhaps on occasion they have a massive German Shepherd cuddling them as a kitten, but on the main cats are themselves. Googled eyed, flat out on a desk, legs stretched out forwards and backwards. Upside down fluff ball, which way is their head/tail? Knocking items off shelves, ok it’s a prop, sitting in a box even if the cat is a Maine Coon and the box is a tissue box!
Anyway. Yes, if I knew what my dogs are trying to tell me I’d be much happier. They are both getting on a bit and as I write this one of them has started limping again. She always has this problem in her right leg, and despite us getting them checked out at least once per year – vaccinations – the vet says they are in good health. The dog has a bionic leg already. I give them green-lipped mussel multivitamins everyday with glucosamine, an ingredient used by humans for arthritis.
But there is that thing they do to try and hide pain. In the wild, any sign of pain and you are left behind by the pack. You are no use to them lame.
We rescued them, and will continue to rescue them up until their dying days.
Lizzie Ross 28th January 2024.
thereisastoneinmyshoe 