“I’m going to make everything around me beautiful - that will be my life.” — Elsie de Wolfe

Friday 26 February 2010

Dogs Have 'Aha' MomentsToo - A Memory

My old dog Harvey 1986 - 2004.

Harvey was a special dog, all dogs are in their own way, but he had definitely had quite a life! He travelled extensively and joined in on lots of adventures. He went from a nervous defensive young dog to a wise, chilled out old dog. The time I want to tell you about is when he and I escaped a busy noisy party, full of family and their respective dogs at my Mothers house.

He saw me from the corner of his eye about to leave the room and by the time I was halfway up the stairs he was there with me, I reached down and grabbed his ear and gave it a gentle squeeze and he nudged my leg in our familiar routine. When he was a tiny puppy he had the hugest ears and paws, he was such an adorable little thing, over the many years since that time, he had grown into both his ears and paws but still had the same look in his big expressive eyes.

We reached the top of the stairs and I settled myself on the single step on the turn to the next part of the landing. I could hear the music and laughter from downstairs and was glad of this moment of quiet. I felt Harvey sit down next to me on the step and lean into me, I put my arm around him, we had certainly been through a lot together him and I. On the wall opposite was a huge full length mirror, it was quite disconcerting seeing myself in such detail! I looked at my dress which had seemed a good idea when I had got ready earlier in the day but now looked incongruous with me squatting on a step, as the party raged downstairs.

I was staring at my reflection in that big mirror, when I took my eyes from my own face and looked at dear Harvey sitting next to me. And then it happened. . . a shared moment that sent shivers down my spine and gave me a tingly feeling all over.

As I caught his eye in the reflection, I smiled at him and watched as he instantly wagged his tail in response, then I watched, as he 'saw' his own tail wagging and as he looked at it I saw a flicker of something in his eyes, as he stared back up at himself in the mirror. In that moment of recognition, something changed, I saw the realisation in his eyes, he had actually recognised himself in the mirror. He knew it was him!

He then looked at me and back at himself, then at me again, as I burst out laughing and hugged him while getting my ear well and truly licked.

Dogs have 'aha' moments too.

9 comments:

Suz said...

What a precious memory of that great dog!
Harvey...great name
My cat, Miss Kitty O'Shea
adores her refection in the full length mirror..truly

Jennifer said...

I love the Harvey story!

Susannah said...

Suz and Jennifer - thanks for the comments and glad you enjoyed the Harvey story.

Suz, I adore your cats name! ;-)

Mmm, maybe some cat stories coming up, mine have plenty of tales to tell.

In-joy-in My Life said...

I love Harvey!!!! What a great dog and the relationship you had was just wonderful. I sometimes think only us "dog people" can relate to how truly precious our furry balls of love are. I can tell he truly had a great life.

Susannah said...

Hi In-Joy - Yes, they are truly wonderful creatures and such great companions - I am sure another will be part of our family at some point - I miss having my ears licked! ;-)

Thanks very much for dropping in and for your lovely comment.:-)

Ann said...

How precious. My Louie has not come to the realization of his reflection yet. He is intrigued with his reflection though, so I think the day of realization will be sooner rather than later.

What a wonderful moment. What a wonderful dog.

Susannah said...

Thanks Anne :-)

Watch dear Louie for his aha moment! - has all his fur grown long again yet! - he looked such an adorable little fluffball!

Mary McClain said...

love this story about Harvey!

Susannah said...

Thanks Eclectic. :-)
Good to se you!

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