another Boo story ~

     We all know that animals communicate with one another. Both in-species*, like dog to dog, as well as inter-species**, such as cat to dog. And we also know that animals communicate to humans***. But have you ever wondered about what an animal in a movie**** is actually saying?
       An example of in-species* is how you hear your dog bark at the neighbor's dog, and that dog barks back, responding. Or how you hear some dog in the distance bark, and then you hear a closer sounding dog bark, and then your dog barks, which is followed by a dog barking in the other direction from whence the original barks came, and then a bark even further away in the new direction barks, and you shudder because your sure that means Corella De-ville is back in town (;-p).
      An example of inter-species** is vividly played out in our house via Rascal continuing to hiss at Boo, as well as doing stunts such as walking less than an inch from Boo, yet crying hideously when Boo turns and approaches him to investigate/sniff/ try to coax Rascal to play, thus attempting to place all blame on Boo. On a couple of occasions, Boo has turned and low in his throat, said something which has usually sent Rascal scampering either up the stairs or under the table.
     Many people 'swear' their animal/pet(s) talks to them***. Rascal will sit at the top of the steps and start saying "H-E-LL-O?!?!!!", repeatedly, rising in volume till he either gets a response, or continuing till he gets the response he is after. MOST annoying at two a.m.!!! 8-/ . The 'Funniest Home Videos' TV show is continually featuring peoples pets talking or singing to them. Some are cute. Others, well, pass.
     We know that the animals which play roles in TV shows and movies**** are trained to bark/meow/whinny/whatever at particular times. But I've often wondered just what exactly it is the animal chooses to say during those times. I mean, are they actually saying something in their animal language that other animals can understand?
     Rascal will occasionally look up at the TV when there is a meowing cat on it, other times, he can't be bothered. (yeah, typical cat). Boo on the other hand usually does at least cock an ear in the direction of the TV when another dog is on it. Sometimes he starts barking madly straight at the TV, as though he is arguing with the one on it. There have been times that after hearing a dog on the screen start barking, he madly rushed towards a door, loudly informing us there is a problem. We're always curious just what exactly the TV dog has declared. But the other night, well, it was amusing!
     Everybody except the pets and I had left the house. Balance and dizziness were still HUGE issues for me (they are now down to frustrating issues). I was tired of laying on my right side in bed. I was tired of laying on the couch. I was tired of weaving while standing. Yeah, I was tired of all of it!
     I decided to go up to bed, try propping myself up with pillows, and watch a movie. Yes, I could do that from the couch, but then Boo couldn't easily sit beside me. And he was making it clear that was his desired place!!!
     Since I couldn't decide which of my movies I wanted to watch, I chose a two dollar rental fee one off of U-Verse. I settled down, Boo cuddled in, Rascal left the room, all was calm and good.
     The movie had a dog which appeared frequently in it. A large sized dog. Always appearing to be all wound up due to one of the human characters activities. The first couple of times, Boo started to rise while looking at the screen with a concerned expression. {Yes, this dog of 'ours' definitely does expressions!!! Very much so!!!} But after a brief moment, Boo would sigh and cuddle down again. After that, he barely even moved his ear when the dog was barking. But then, quite a ways into the movie, after the TV dog had been on numerous times, yet been totally ignored by Boo, the dog was on again.
     This time however, Boo responded. He sat straight up looking at the TV. Boo cocked his head one way, then the other. His ears were tilting every which way, like he was trying hard to adjust his antenna to better pick up what was being broadcast. After what seemed like a couple of minutes of this, he sat still, with his head tilted to one side, his ears standing tall, but wearing the most comical of bemused expressions! After a moment, he turned and looked back at me with the most confused / quizzical expression on his face. I replied, "I don't know". He gave me kind of a little scowl, then returned to the exact same position and expression as he had had while facing the TV. Whatever the dog in the movie had been saying, had made totally no sense to Boo what-so-ever!!!! I found it v-e-r-y funny!! My laughter made Boo even more confused. That in turn made it even more comical to me.
      I'd like to insert a tip here. Do NOT let your head move while laughing when you have Vertigo. Seriously!!!! Takes the fun right out of it!!! 8-/
     Thankfully, Boo very willingly forgives you if you pull him close and start cooing at him while petting him :-D (that's a bonus tip in case you ever have cause to need it ;-p).
      I am still curious though as to what exactly the dog in the movie had been saying at that particular point in the script. Curious indeed!
 
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