by Shannon Warren

Created on: July 25, 2007

I, much like all dog lovers/owners, have the smartest dog in the world!

I am the proud puppy-parent to a 14 month old Black Lab named Dodger. She joined my family at a scant 20 pounds...after 11 months, she's a ginormous 80 pounds! Because of her size alone, I tend to think of her as my child, not as my pet. I think she feels the same way!

I had always heard that Labs were a smart breed, and I must say that I agree. From the beginning, my husband and I unintentionally assumed the roles of "good-cop, bad-cop" and Dodger knows the difference. Just like a toddler, she knows what she can get away with with Mommy that Daddy won't tolerate. She stops just short of jumping up on my husband and lays a paw on his knee, but she'll jump up and give me a kiss! She also understands several commands and phrases. If you ask her, "where's your ball?" she runs to where ever the closest tennis ball may be. She can even differentiate between types of balls! If you ask her, "where's your soccer ball?" she knows to go get her big ball; if you ask her, "where's your football?" she knows to get her football; if you ask "where's your jingle ball?" she knows to get her ball with a bell inside. In addition, she can identify her other toys by name, such as "Kong,"

"Rope," and "Frisbee." Of course, she also understands, "Do you want to go for a walk/ride?" "Do you want a cookie?" and the ever important, "Are you hungry?" and "Are you thirsty?"

Okay, okay, she's smart, you get it! How does she communicate in human-like ways you ask? Let's see... she kisses on command, "Give me/Daddy/Grandma a kiss" is always met with just that. She understands when she has done something bad, and responds emotionally; "Dodger, did you do that?" or "Dodger, have you been digging?" is inevitably met with concern via a big furrowed brow and slicked back ears. She also has this cute habit of touching my face. When she was a tiny pup, I would hold her and caress her muzzle, ears, and top of her head as she fell asleep. Now when she's tired, she sits next to me, eye to eye, and looks beseechingly into my eyes and gives me a caress on the cheek with her paw before she smothers me with kisses! Then I ask her if she's tired, and she'll lay down and put her head in my hand.

I could go on and on about what a little person my puppy is! But I'll end it on this note...only a fellow animal lover can truly understand the bond and communication that exists between me and my Dodger!

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