How tuned in are these dogs?

[BG and Gavin]

Reading Jennifer's post about Jack's health rising and falling with hers inspired me to pose this question.  In reality, I have been thinking about this quite a bit.  A couple of situations arose recently where Gavin has shown an amazing amount of perception.  I will give you some examples, but would also like to hear your opinion and your examples of times when your doodle has shown their perceptive side.

1. We went to a outdoor party, on the water, with thirty or more people there.  Gavin was off leash as were two other dogs and if you know Gavin, he loves to play with other dogs more than anything.  There was a man at the party that has Parkinsons and was trembling terribly.  After a cursory walk about, Gavin went straight to this man and laid at his feet, ignoring the other guests and the dogs.  He stayed with him for 20 minutes as the elderly man stroked him and spoke to him and amazingly his trembling lessened.  After that time Gavin went on about his business, playing with the dogs, playing in the water and visiting with the other guests.

2. My mother's best friend lost her husband.  My parents and the window came to visit here a week after the funeral and the widow understandably was still quite shaken.  Gavin has met her a dozen times and only shows regular interest in her.  Not this time.  When they arrived, Gavin glued himself to her side and remained with her the entire half hour visit.

3. Recently when I cough or sneeze (ragweed season ugh!) Gavin has come right over and sat at me feet.

4. There is an elderly couple that we often stop and chat with on our walks (she even has treats she keeps in her house especially for "her boy Gavin.").  When Gavin sees them outside I let go of his leash and let him run up their driveway to greet.  My friend walking with me yesterday cringed as she thought Gavin was going to mow the lady down.  She could not believe it when he got half way up the drive he geared right down to a slow walk and sat down right at her side despite that fact that she was making high pitched noises and doing all the things that usually make him jump up.

So...over to you...

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It sounds like Gavin is perfect for this.  I've got to get more consistent with bringing Guinness to the Nursing Home because he seems to love it and I know he brightens the clients' day.  When we do our therapy "work" I always feel like we're a team...it's kind of a special feeling for both of us.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Animal to animal.
My last dog went completely blind around 8-9 years old. Several years later, I remarried and moved to my husband's home. Pete, 13 and blind would need to be moved into a strange home with 2 elderly cats. Even planned introductions between older cats and older dogs can be ugly.
Laz, the greeter cat, met the Massive dog and proceeded to ..... Well let's say it went bad quickly. For several hours after the meet and fight, I watched Laz and her sister Dora, observe big ol' Pete. Within 24 hours they knew he was not normal. Laz took over almost immediately walking in front of him. With Pete trailing behind, Laz, for the rest of his life would lead the dog around. Pete would search out the tip of her tail, and Laz would get him to the food dish and the door to go out when he needed to go potty. Those were the center of his world and from there he could reorient his locations. To us, it was amazing. Thank you Laz.

[BG and Gavin]

Wow Joanne, that is incredible.  It must have been a wonderful relationship to witness.  Thanks for telling the story.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

That's incredible!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

amazing...

[Carol and Banjo]

Wow.....that's incredible....gives me goosebumps!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Joanne, I can't believe how emotional this just made me....what a beautiful thing for all to experience.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Truly amazing.

[Kimmy & Chewie]

That's amazing!

Story of Pete made me tear up 'cos it reminds me of my very first dog - a mutt-a-doodle name D-Dog who was also became blind at around 10 years old.

D knew the house and our neighbourhood so well that she can roam the block by herself and return home safely every afternoon. She lived till she was 16 years old.

 

[Bonnie and Kona]

What a sweet story. I am amazed.

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

All I can say is WOW!  These are all wonderful stories.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Gavin needs to be a therapy dood!!!

 

Little over a month ago, DH had a terrible migraine come on (we did not know that is what it was at the time) and went partially blind.  I was freaking out, debating on taking him to the hospital, and then I looked at DH, who was sitting on the chair.  Peri was right at his feet with her head on his lap - she looked at me with these very worried eyes and whined.  I got into the car and took him to the hospital immediately - we spent the night there while they monitored him for a possible stroke.  It was not a stroke, but it was so scary and Peri was absolutely mortified and I basically made my decision to go to the hospital based on her actions.  It was weird...