I saw the most beautiful monarch butterfly flitting around outside this afternoon. Poor thing. It has no idea that after today the weather is going to be blustery and cold, and it won't be able to stay around for very long. I've even heard some robins lately. This unheard of hot weather in October has confused some of the insects and animals, I'm afraid. Bummer. But today is the last day of it for the season -- or so they say. No more 85 degree weather until next year. HUGE bummer.

Speaking of animals ... lol ... I've been thinking lately about how dog experts say that dogs don't really understand what you're saying, only the tone with which you say it. In my humble opinion, that's hogwash! We had a beautiful, wonderful Cocker Spaniel named Sadie, who understood everything we said -- she could even lip-read! We wouldn't even have to speak out loud ... we could just mouth the words and she would comply. Sweet baby, she was. And now Riley is just like that, although I haven't tried lip-reading with him yet. ;) He understands everything I say, regardless of what tone I use. I can just talk to him with a normal conversational voice and he knows what I'm saying. (Can you tell I love him totally?? lol) He's just so smart! (No, I'm not being biased -- I'm stating fact lol) If I go outside without saying anything, he barks up a storm; but if I explain to him before leaving that I have to go bye-bye and he can't come this time, but I'll be home soon, he just sits there staring at me as I leave and doesn't bark or anything. If I go in my room and shut the door, he'll scratch and bark on it; but at night if I tell him we're going night-night, he doesn't even come near the door. Plus he knows when I grab my purse and/or put on my shoes, it means we're going for a ride, and he gets soooo excited! lol If he's chewing on something he shouldn't be, all I have to say is, "Riley, don't chew on that", and he'll spit it out. lol It's so funny!

ANYway, those dog experts are nuts! lol And I have the cutest, smartest doggie in the world! ;)

*P.S.* lol He's lying at my feet sleeping, and he's dreaming. lol He's yipping tiny little yips. lolol So cute! :)

I hear ya! My dog Mindy knew EVERYTHING I said no matter what tone you said it in. Once she got this awful haircut and my best friend LAUGHED at her and called her a ugly dog in a joking/loving manner... Mindy hid under the bed ALL weekend. She was fine until my friend said that LOL.

Man I miss my dog... *sob*

Thoughtfully shared by: Rachel in Alaska at October 23, 2003 03:34 PM

"dog experts" never give dogs enough credit. Riley is just proof. ;)

Thoughtfully shared by: liz at October 23, 2003 04:58 PM

So often these days what I end up reading about when it comes to animals is abuse. I love reading the stories in all the pet-lovers' blogs about the love they have for their animals. Your little Riley is the sweetest, Leigh. His picture makes me smile every time I see it.

Mary Lou over at Life after Nexcom has a new puppy named Sadie. She's a little cocker and cute as all get out. She's posted a picture of her baby in her blog today and it's hilarious.

Thoughtfully shared by: Leslie at October 23, 2003 05:09 PM

Riley is so cute and if you continue posting such comments in your blog you will force to be go out and buy a puppy. And who will clean up the shit and fill up the holes in my garden? :-)

Thoughtfully shared by: Michelle at October 24, 2003 12:09 AM

Riley is just the cutest darn thing!! In the one picture he looks like a little teddy bear.

My dog Sheila is a very smart dog too. Everytime I tell her she's a stinky dog, she turns around and look at her butt. She really does understand almost everything I say.

Thoughtfully shared by: Marsha at October 24, 2003 01:04 AM

I'm sorry, Michelle! LOL But hey, get a itty bitty dog like Riley -- that way, when it poops in your house, it's super easy to clean up -- itty bitty dogs make itty bitty turds! LOL

Marsha, that's too funny! LOL I'd like to see that!

Leslie, I went and looked at that picture (thanks for the URL!) -- oh my gosh, how cute is that puppy! lol She reminds me so much of our Sadie when she was a baby. *sigh* She was the best dog ever. A person in a dog's body! ;)

Aw, Rachel, I'm sorry. :( Mindy sounds like she was a wonderful dog! ((huggers))

Thoughtfully shared by: Leigh at October 24, 2003 10:07 AM

I think that dogs are capable of understanding people that spend time with them. I've experimented with my dog. He can tell the difference between "Hey, let's go exploring!" and "Do you want to get your brzins bashed in?" (I'd never, but, I wanted to see if he'd react to the words), even if I use the exact same tone of voice.

Thoughtfully shared by: April at October 26, 2003 03:29 PM