What is Fudge Thinking When I Sneeze?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Last night in the middle of the night I had to sneeze.  Fudge was in bed with us and I try not to sneeze when she is around because she gets a little weird when someone sneezes.  I usually try plugging my nose to stop the sneeze, which ends up feeling like a minor explosion in my head, but I am willing to make the sacrifice for my dog. 

Please no comments about killing brain cells or something.  Well, last night the sneeze won and Fudge, who had been sound asleep, got up and stood at the end of the bed, on my husband's side, and would not move.  There she stood with her head hung down and looking away from me as if I had the Bubonic Plague. She stood like that for a long time and finally laid down as far away from me as possible curled up next to my husband.

My mom just sneezed!

If I am in another room from Fudge when I sneeze, she comes immediately from wherever she happened to be and sits in the doorway and stares at me. It gives me the same creepy feeling that I am sure the Nursing Home residents feel when the cat who can predict the next death comes into their room. Fudge will not move from that spot until I coax her into the room.  What is she trying to tell me?  I always cover my mouth with my hand when I sneeze, so I know that is not it. I am certainly not one of those violent sneezers who sneeze with such force that you wish you had opted to wear a Depends that day when you are standing next to them when they let loose.   I am also not a sprayer sneezer who makes you wish you had worn a Hazmat suit when they sneeze next to you.

I am a very polite sneezer.  Is this Fudge's silent way of saying, "Gesundheit"? Remember we are a German speaking family. I say pizza, gnocchi, cannoli, and tiramisu all the time.

Can anyone tell me why Fudge reacts this way to a sneeze? Please, F, don't use big words that we both know I don't understand and try and explain this in some scientific way.  I only joined the Science Group because someone said Science was sexy and you were discussing red lipstick or something and I wanted to post a funny picture of Vern and his manhood. Also, I do not think I smell, so I am discounting that as a reason Fudge steers clear of me when this happens.  I would appreciate any help you can give me in this matter.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Did she tell you there were trolls under the bridge, too? LOL

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

maybe she's just giving you stink eye because she's mad that you woke her up...

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

That is a good one, Sherri! Could be. She does like her sleep.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

My doodles look at me with concern when I sneeze. I've been doing a lot of that lately since I came down with a cold this week :(

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My dad, and now my dh, sneeze like an earthquake happened.  It always shocks whatever dogs happen to be around.  We actually have a family saying about this occurrence which is funny to us but not to others!

I like the fear of leaking brain matter theory.
On a similar note - our anxious Springer was doing his usual panting and actually snorted! I guess I was the shocked one, fearing he was losing brain matter .... or.... snot.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

That is exactly how my DH sneezes and it scares me to death sometimes. I am sure he is leaking brain matter :) LOL 

[Sharon & Monty]

Monty always rushes over to anyone that sneezes.  He seems quite concerned, it looks like a worried expression.  If we are in another room from him, he always rushes over.  We have gotten into the habit of telling him "It's ok" Only then will he stop looking and fussing about.  

I dont know anything about therapy dogs for seizures, but have often wondered would he have been a suitable dog?  

[Rachel and Ollie]

Ollie is really concerned too. He stops what he is doing, tilts his head, and SPRINTS over to me to lick my face... thank you Ollie. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Ollie is so sweet :) Fudge just stares at me from afar....LOL!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Yep, Fudge is very in tune with me at all times.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Laurie!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Maybe Fudge thinks you're having some kind of a sneezure or she is taking it as some kind of early warning sign like the siren before a tornado and she is running to safety.