The ear of a dog can register sounds beyond our own as humans. They can discern pitches that defy our auditory nerve cells to detect.
Gypsy demonstrates this on a daily basis during the school year.
When the school buses run, which they do frequently on our street based upon our proximity to the elementary school, she barks at them all evilly. After all, they definitely contain interlopers and would be usurpers of neighborhood turf - more specifically, HER neighborhood turf.
But she saves her most evil, high pitched, ear drum splitting bark for the bus that arrives to pick up Jared.
She can tell from two blocks away that it is coming. It just sounds different. Thanks to her good training, Gypsy will sit under the carport with me and Jared while the bus backs into the driveway. This temporary intrusion into the sanctified, fortified and amplified barking area is allowed simply because she KNOWS the driver and the nurse on the bus. When a relief driver or substitute nurse has been on the bus from time to time, she looks at them with a jaundiced eye and demands to sniff them out for any evil intent on their part.
They are, after all, taking her baby for a ride in their bus and she MUST be sure that they are worthy of his companionship.
Today, she sat stock still, barking her head off as Cathy expertly maneuvered the bus into our driveway backwards so as to allow room for the wheelchair lift to come down in a safe area for loading. As soon as the bus stopped and Gypsy heard the air brakes chuffing, she turned to me with one ear flicking as if to say "Can I get 'em NOW?"
I told her "You're free!" which is the signal to get up and prance around sniffing everyone and everything giddily. And yes, dogs DO get giddy. At least this one does.
Gypsy prances around on her very tiptoes with a cat-like elegance combined with her very dog-like hunting/herding reflexes well in place. Any stray scent is met with sharp attention. These helpers for Jared must show strict partisanship for Jared and Jared alone.
Other scents must be approved by Gypsy as being okay. Without that approval, she attempts to get onto the bus to drive for herself. The fact that she lacks both a driver's license and CDL as well as lacking the leg length to handle a bus seems to not trouble her in the least.
Her evil smile is enough to let you know that she is watching you VERY carefully.
Gypsy also knows what time it is. With alacrity and accuracy, she leaps from her cushioned bed to go bark at the bus each afternoon. Each bus that passes receives it's own pitch of barking and ferocious teeth. But when Jared's bus arrives, she's all happy barks and waggly tail. She cannot contain her excitement!
Jared laughs at all of this. She is, after all, his baby savage. She loves him as a fierce protector and friend. He loves her as his buddy, pal, chum and furry companion.
Though she is all hugs and kisses and happy barks for Jared, she can turn on an interloper with a different bark in a nanosecond. She can sniff out a stranger and ask for I.D. quicker than the Feds!
Although she can sound menacing, Gypsy really isn't. She will attempt to defend us, but will readily obey when we call her off. Though, like a woman, she grumbles out one last word to let us know any new syllable we might utter is just the start of a different argument.
My rehab is going well on my ankle and I can't wait to be cleared for some light walking. I know Gypsy will be happy to see the leash come down from the coat rack. I just hope she can contain her "Wolfgang" enthusiasm and not go so fast that she churns ME into butter...
Oh the joys of having a savage in the home!
No comments:
Post a Comment