I wrote this some time ago and in light of events over the past few days, I think it might be appropriate to publish it now. On their second outing, it was Stitch that told us something was wrong; From: The Spinone Chroicles Author: Nick Monte Copyright, 2013 When They Bark, Are You Listening? Many years ago while sitting in a lobby of the Mariott Hotel, I watched a little girl trailing after her father, trying to grab his hand. He was busy looking at the decorations and kept swatting her hand away. She became more and more insistent and he became more and more ignorant of her plight. Finally, when he took notice of her , he learned that she wanted him to help her pick up her beads from the necklace that had broken, spilling beads all over the lobby floor. I began thinking, when was it that all of us were introduced to rejection, in one form or another, and how we have coped with it, one way or another, throughout our lives.? We, as humans, consciously or unconsciously, give and receive rejection almost on a daily basis. And, defensively, we all have conjured ways to cope with it. So what does this have to do with our pet? Let me cite some examples we’re all familiar with. Our pets have only two ways to communicate; body language and barking. When a pet barks (in this case, a Spinone) we react; consciously or unconsciously, with; “quiet, shut-up, be still, hush, stop, no, etc” Or we contribute to the burgeoning pet industry by buying dog collars that cause discomfort when “fido” sounds off. I’m no expert but I have had dogs all my life and only in the past twelve years have I had the distinctive pleasure of being owned by a Spinone. Although I am convinced in my heart that the Spin is “different” than other breeds; in no way, do I diminish the value that other breeds have to their humans. Just like us humans, we’re no different from one another; but each of us are unique. Breeds share similarities that make them the same; one of which is barking. But they too are unique setting each one apart just like us. When they bark, are you listening? Our Spins have only two ways to communicate; barking and body language. There is no way we can ignore that body language, right? especially when a heavy paw lands on our dinner plate because we forgot to pass a tidbit to him or her. But, en-masse, we humans have had the tendency to consider “barking” a nuisance. When they bark, we better listen.! Let me cite some events that have occurred in my life. A single bark can mean many things; danger; help; fear; joy; hello. I have learned that when danger is present, the bark is usually (but not always) preceded by a low, rumbling, growl that explodes into a full blown bark. I better be alert. I have learned that when something is wrong, there is barking. I better look and see. One night, watching TV, from deep within Justin, came the most frightening growl I’d ever heard followed by a bark. I prepared myself for what I thought was to become a home invasion. He was at the door in a flash. False alarm? Not really because on the front lawn was a wild hog. He was warning me and protecting me. A few years ago my neighbors went on vacation. They had two dogs; both Labs. One was always afraid of thunder and with a pending storm on the horizon, he began his incessant barking. My first reaction was; “oh, please shut up”. But his bark had an unusual tone so I decided to investigate. I found he had cornered and was barking at a rattlesnake he had cornered by the back shed. He was warning of danger. Another event I’m ashamed to tell you about and it lives in my memory. A year later, the older Lab, began barking. No one was home. I was busy in my back yard. It was a hot Florida summer day. The barking stopped after about an hour. Boy was I glad. I was caught up in chores and never “listened to the bark”. That night, the owners came home and found she had died in the back yard. There was an open ditch and she apparently fell in and couldn’t get out. She was calling for help. I didn’t listen. In the middle of the night, someone close to me began hearing her dog crying. It didn’t’ seem unusual so she was ignored. Later that morning, still groaning, she was taken to the Vet. It was too late; she had bloat and sadly passed away. Stitch races to the fence line and begins a ferocious bark. He doesn’t like the next door neighbor dog and fears that he is encroaching on his territory when that dog approaches the dividing fence. Stitch is protecting what is his and mine. I never stop my boys from barking until I’ve checked out the reason they are trying to communicate with me. You all will agree that the Spin is, by nature, a gentle being. In fact, if you read the AKC definition of the Spinone, they are not given credit for being a “watch dog”. I submit that someone in the AKC ought to re-write that definition because the Spin, as I’ve come to know them, will protect us and warn us when the need arises. So when my Spins “bark”, I’m reminded of that little girl chasing after her Daddy seeking his help and being rejected. He didn’t listen. When they bark, I listen. Do you? I’m sure you do. -30-
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 22:54:51 +0000
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