Memory like a....doodle?

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin and I had another close call last week (we were almost hit by a car while walking).  The whole experience left me pretty shook up and I had to stop for a while and catch my breath before an emotional walk home.  Tonight we were out walking and just happened to revisit the corner for the first time since the incident.  I would not have even thought of it, but Gavin who had 3/4 of his leash for casual sniffing purposes, came right to my side and walked at perfect heel without instruction, checking my face every few seconds.  This went on for half a block, then he went back to his sniffing.  Did he remember? 

One time when he was young, I tried to get him to jump into the back of my SUV and being a bit over-zealous he jumped too high and hit his head.  He now goes through the side door as he flat out refuses to jump in through the back hatch.  Does he remember?

A year ago he had a romp in the back yard of a house several blocks over from us.  Every time we go by he slows down and looks in.  Does he remember?

What things do your doods remember?

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Meridith, I totally relate to all of your examples...they are so darn smart. I can tell you that my daughters boxer doesn't even have a clue, they try to get her excited when they come over but until she walks through the door she does not know where she's going - ha ha (could just be her, she is nicknamed Silly Lily for a reason).

[BG and Gavin]

That Lola is one smart cookie or is that Lola is smart about where to find cookies!  We have a block in our neighbourhood I call "the gauntlet."  It is particularly thick with squirrels and dogs in yards but in particular there is a giant Rotty that throws himself against the picture window and barks when his owner is not home.  Anytime we go by that house, Gavin looks sideways to ensure his safety lol.  (Funny thing is when the dog is off leash in the yard with his owner, he totally ignores us).

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh and the other thing Daisy does, when we go to Church on Sunday (typically the only time Daisy is left behind because we both go), we turn on the special CD for her that calms dogs (supposedly) and she settles right down in the living room with a hmpf (I am not kidding, a loud sighing one). We use is on other rare occasions that she does not go along and she does the same thing. SMART!

[BG and Gavin]

Ahh, quiet time.  Funny Lisa, sometimes I put on a CD and do the same thing!  Daisy dosen't likely pour a beer into a frosty mug to drink while she is listening to her CD though ;)

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

She might if she had opposable thumbs!

[BG and Gavin]

LOL Lisa!  Send her over and I would never have to leave the couch!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin doesn't seem to remember much... but there are some things that stick with him for sure. He won't voluntarily go near camping chairs anymore. When he was little DH and I were goofing off and made a "cupholder monster" by sticking our hand into the mesh cupholder on the chairs. We were just being silly but apparently it scared him so badly that he hates the chairs even now. I feel SO bad! 

[BG and Gavin]

Cupholder monster lol!  I can totally picture it.  Poor Darwin.  You will have to put some steak in the cupholder so that he learns to like the chairs again.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Oh we've been trying. With deli meat and what not. :-) The "cupholder monster" wasn't even directed specifically at him. It's a strange thing that it scared him so bad. 

[Pat and Traveler]

Ha!  Love the cupholder monster!  Stay away from it, Darwin!

[Carol and Banjo]

OMD....I'm so sorry you had such a frightful scare!   It may be just my imagination, but it seems to me that during this past year I've read in the papers about several pedestrian "accidents" just here in lil ole NH.    As an avid motorcycle rider I'm keenly aware of on-coming drivers who cross the double yellow line....it seems I never leave the house without observing this deadly driving behavior.    I've been chalking it up to "Texting Drivers".   We live on a country road with very little traffic...actually during the off season months I can sometimes walk up to a mile without one car passing by....but I've gotten into the habit of stepping way off the pavement with Banjo....just in case the on-coming driver is inattentive.

I don't doubt for a second that Gavin remembers the incident.     On one particularly long walk we met a distant neighbor who gave Banjo a yummy (probably Milkbone) treat.   The few times we've passed that house Banjo always slows down and looks down the driveway...lol...the power of MilkBones!

[BG and Gavin]

Head on swivel Carol - that is my rule, but he came from nowhere!  Milkbone giver-outers are hard to forget.  Banjo knows where the food is!