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?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, Suzann, JD's memory is much better than mine these days, too.

[BG and Gavin]

And dust and grocery shop and clean the bathroom...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jackdoodle remembers people and other dogs he has met, even if it was only once and he hasn't seen them in a year. He remembers which of his friends lives in which house, and he knows where the dogs he doesn't like live, too. He knows the route home from any point in our rather large neighborhood. He also reminds me when it's time for each of his four daily meals.

He's always very calm and relaxed at the vet, happy to be there, and he used to be that way at the specialty clinic where his dermatologist practices. But after his endoscopy last year, when he had to spend the only night away from me ever, and all the subsequent unpleasant visits this year, including his MRI under anesthetic, he is very nervous when we go there. He even shakes a little sometimes while we're waiting. Then it depends which way we go. if we go toward the side of the building where his dermatologist's office is, he's fine. If we go the other way, he's very clingy, stays right up against me, and won't even get on the scale unless I walk over to it with him. So I'm sure he remembers!

[BG and Gavin]

Being able to distinguish between which building he is going into in the same complex is remarkable!  Although we all know JD is a remarkable dog!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

BG, I read about the incident in another post....I'm so thankful that you and Gav were not hurt.  This must have been really frightening.  My guys also have an amazing memory with some things.  Murph gets his "meds" at night after he finishes his dinner.  A couple of times I forgot to give them to him and he went and "camped out" by the spot where I keep them on the kitchen counter.  He was sitting there just staring at the bottle.  I give them to him in a pill pocket, so I'm sure that's what he was looking for, but I think it's pretty amazing that he would remember this.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Jane, I did not mean to hijack Karen's discussion there and I thought I was kinda over it, but it obviously was still bothering me.  The moment when the van braked I got through the one lane and Gav stopped dead in the path of the van was very tramatic.

Murphy obviously knows the meds are good for him. Good boy Murph! (I hope things continue to go well with my pal Murph).

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You didn't hijack the discussion, you provided an illustration!

I would have been traumatized, too.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Karen, I had second thoughts after I pushed the add reply button.  Did not seem like the right spot.  You are most gracious.

[Donna K & Quincy]

BG, I am glad you and Gavin are ok after your close call and Gavin is a super smart dood to remember. Quincy certainly remembers, I hide a tennis ball at the field where we go to play sometimes and he always knows exactly where to find it. If I happen to hide it somewhere a little different he remembers that too. My parents live a 6 hr drive away and we only visit a couple of times a year and about 2 mins before we get there he gets all excited and perks up in anticipation. He also remembers where there is a little stuffed duck at my parents house, he goes in the door, a quick hello and then makes a beeline for the duck.

[Pat and Traveler]

I love that Quincy remembers his duck! 

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Donna.  Gavin does the same on the way to the cottage.  When we are about 1 km from the cottage he gets up from his prone position and wants the window open so he can look us in.  How the heck do they know?  Quincy remembering the stuffed duck is super cute.  I can just picture it!

[Meridith and Lola]

It amazes me how much Lola remembers.  In the city where I live there are some doorman that give out treats to dogs.  Lola remembers everyone of them, even if we haven't passed the building in months she goes right up to them.  I can't walk by a TD Bank that gives out dog treats without her pulling me in to one.  Even a few stores that have water bowls, she knows exactly which ones.  When I am driving somewhere with her, either to friends house or to a hiking trail, a few minutes before we arrive, she starts squealing in excitement when she realizes where we are going.  She once got scared at a dog run from a big dog.  We didn't go by that dog run for months and months but one day we walked by it and she pulled me far away from it though she is more than happy to go in other dog runs.  We even saw that dog 6 months later in a completely different part of the park and she totally knew it was her and freaked out.  It really blows me away.