Andy and I were observing there are times when Jack and Rooney seem totally clueless and other times like members of the Canine Chapter of Mensa.
Let's start with the "clueless" examples:
Me: Jack and Rooney, come on, it's time to go out. Jack and Rooney? Come on, let's go! Oh, Jack and Rooooney - can you hear me?
Nothing can dislodge them from their places on the sofa(s) if they do not want to go out.
Me: Jack and Rooney, come on, it's time to come in. Jack and Rooney? Come on, let's go! Oh, Jack and Rooooney - can you hear me?
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| Just ignore her and maybe she'll go away. |
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| Rooney! Rooney! Rooney! |
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| What? |
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| I'm good out here. Just enjoying the day. |
Once outside, nothing can get them to come back in until they are good and ready.
Me: Rooney, move over. Rooney, come one - I can't feel my legs. Rooney, move. over. now!
Rooney becomes deaf as a post when she doesn't want to do something like move when she's sleeping in your spot on the bed.
Now I present you with their level of selective genius:
Me: Stop begging. I just gave you half of what I'm eating. Oh, yuck, Jack, now you're drooling all over my chair! Here, just take the rest of my (fill in the blank) - I'm not hungry anymore.
Mission accomplished. They not only got some of what I'm eating, they managed to procure most of it.
Me: Andy, since you only want a little bit more, why don't you toast a whole muffin and I'll put some gravy on it for them.
This was an actual conversation between Andy and I last night. No sooner did the words come out of my mouth when both Jack and Rooney jumped up and ran over to get their half of the gravy muffin. How did they know I was referring to "them" and how do they know what a muffin is?
Me: Jack and Rooney - go into the kitchen and tell Dad to give you something.
They both nod their heads at me, as much to say, "Okay, got it." Then they run into the kitchen and tell their Dad to give them something.
The pattern is clear. When it comes to something they really don't want to do, they become deaf, dumb and blind. However, when food is involved, they can not only understand English, they seem to be able to read minds. Their ability to interpret intention is flawless.
Now, here's the rub. One would think enticing them with treats when they are reluctant to either go out or come back in would solve the problem. It doesn't always work. It also appears that there is a degree of stubbornness involved here. Once they set their minds to something, little else matters.
I'm guessing they've had similar conversations in which they weigh whether or not their human parents are fools or geniuses. I can hear it now:
Jack to Rooney: Why can't they just let us sleep? We tell them when we want to go out, right? I mean, I wait until she's all done with whatever she's doing, then when she's sitting down I figure she has the time to get up and let me out. I think I'm being very considerate. I can't understand why she gets all huffy about it.
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| Oh, you're finally sitting down. Good. I need to go out. |
Rooney to Jack: And why do they put us outside in the first place when they just want us to come right back in? Can't they tell we want to smell the air and watch the birds and listen to the sounds? All I hear is, Rooney, Rooney, Rooney....
Jack to Rooney: And how stupid are they to be surprised when I smell or see food and this water drips from my mouth?! I can't help it! Gosh, you'd think I was dripping toxins everywhere. I don't know what that means but I heard Mom say it one day when I dripped all over her precious chair. Just wipe it up already!
I guess it's all a matter of perspective...
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