Yes, a stray cocker spaniel. She was young and had a red fur coat. She was standing near the side of the road looking bewildered. I pulled over immediately. “Don’t worry little one, Charlotte to the rescue,” I thought to myself. Lucky to find a spot where I could pull over quickly, I did so. I left my other cocker, Kila, in the car and rushed back toward the little one. I was surprised that she let me walk right up to her and even pick her up in my arms. I guess she could smell Kila’s scent on me. She must have thought I was a one of the few trustworthy humans she had come across: “I’ll just let this lady pick me up. Besides, my owner is nowhere in sight.” I picked her up and took her back to my car and placed her on the back seat. Kila was watching my every move and her eyebrows began to go up and down, wondering what I was doing with this other dog. I began to explain in English to Kila what was happening and not to worry. She calmed down some, but not totally. Now with two dogs in the car I went back to search for the owner. When I found the owner I felt she was not as pleased that I had found her dog as you would expect. I think maybe she wanted the dog to get away. Maybe she could not really take care of the dog as she needed to be cared for. I think a lot of people buy dogs when they are puppies but do not really know how to care for them or what to do with them. Sometimes they do not realize how big they will grow either. I gave the lady my business card and said: “If you ever want to give your dog away, call me. I will find a home for her.”
She gave me the dog six weeks later. Her name had been Brenda. I thought that was a funny name for a dog, so I have taught her the name Ginger -- the color of her fur. Besides, she is gingery in behavior, too.
Kila has only lived with foreigners so she only understands English. Ginger is learning. Yes, just like us humans, dogs have to learn commands.
We know we can teach our dogs verbal commands, but many dogs learn to understand words we haven’t purposely taught them. We may find ourselves saying, “Let’s go for a walk” as we pick up the leash. The dog first associates the leash with the promise of going for a walk. He may also pick up on the word “walkies” without his owner making a move toward the door or picking up the leash.
My brother James had a delightful mutt named Trigger. Trigger died recently because James had been buying dog food that was made in China. Yes … you know the rest. Trigger was very tuned-in when his master was about to go on a trip to the boonies in Arkansas to hunt. This was the most exciting event in the world to Trigger because it meant a long car ride in the pickup and upon arrival, a huge wooded space to run in and a lot of birds to chase.
Kila is quite astute, too. When we are about to go on a business trip and have to start packing our bags, she knows something is up and that one or both of her best human friends are leaving. During packing time Kila gets very anxious. When bags are taken to the car and she notices her pillow and bowls are gone, she knows she will be staying with Vet Tijen. It is a bit confusing because Tijen Hanım only speaks Turkish. So love is the common language at the Vet.
Since Ginger has joined the family when we say the new word “walkies,” which she has learned, she goes insane barking and jumping at the front door. Dogs are smart. Trigger understood words like “trip” or “hunting” and Kila and Ginger are coming right along with their English and definitely know words like “Greenhouse” and “din din” (meal time). We don’t say these words and others unless we mean them, because it sets them off.
Gradually we teach them sentences such as “Want some din din?” or “Would you like to go for a walkie?” Ginger and Kila always respond positively. When Trigger was asked “Want to go hunting?” he headed straight to the car, sat in his designated spot and didn’t make a sound.
It can make us humans who are struggling to learn another language feel really stupid. My staff who do not speak a lot of English are impressed with how Ginger is coming along in her language study. When I talk with her she sits quietly and contently and listens.
Dogs may never have a complete command of our spoken language, but their ability and interest in listening to our words and observing our body language in order to do what we ask of them, to ultimately please us, is truly impressive. Maybe we should use these techniques in our language classes?
Note: Keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
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