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AIBU

talking to the dogs...

(61 Posts)
inthefields Sun 12-May-13 13:46:01

(or "Paws for thoughts"!)

So, I live my myself, most of the time. I am in my fifties, still work three days a week (albeit from home) and make a lot of decisions routinely within the work role, so I would have said that I am mentally fairly robust and do not have any evidence of dementia (despite the usual memory lapses of losing glasses etc) BUT ......

..today I realised I have conversations with the dogs, and the siamese!
Now, to clarify, the conversations are very one-sided. I am not so far gone that I expect a reply, but did notice that I give the poor unassuming spaniels the benefit of a running commentary ....."shall we go in and have some lunch now then" "I think I am in need of a cup of tea" etc

Am I losing my marbles? ......does anyone else chat to the pets, or is it time to call the men in white?

Nelliemoser Wed 15-May-13 09:42:40

I think its a very healthy thing. I just realised the budgies were still covered up so its. "Oh! hello! Poor budgies. Mummy forgot you, Good morning!" etc etc.

I saw a TV documentary of some guy in the Arctic who was being approached by a polar bear cub.This chap was, wisely, telling the Polar bear cub "No! Go back to Mummy"! "Go on, go back to Mummy!"

It's not just older women who do this. grin

Grannygreyhips Wed 15-May-13 09:11:54

I talk to my dog and cats all the time. At least they look as though they are listening, which is more than my dh does, especially first thing in the morning. He is definitely not a morning person whereas my pack of animals don't care what time i'm babbling on at!

LizG Wed 15-May-13 08:14:36

Grannylin I talk to several dogs this way smile

HUNTERF Tue 14-May-13 20:28:10

Andie understands words like walk, dinner, biscuit etc.
I think dogs do understand when people are unwell.
When my granddaughter came out of hospital Andie was pulling towards her that night as I think he thought she needed him.
I decided it was best to leave him at my daughter's house.
Andie obviously thinks he belongs to all of the family and not just me.

Frank

Grannylin Tue 14-May-13 19:48:30

I'm almost ashamed to say this , but my dog Ollie had his own FB page and is friends with quite a few other dogs blush

Lilygran Tue 14-May-13 19:11:09

I have had some lovely messages from the grandcats.

ginny Tue 14-May-13 11:57:40

I had a text this morning from my Granddogs asking if they could spend the day with me on Friday. grin

Joan Tue 14-May-13 10:46:48

I talk to my Golden Retriever, Beth, all the time. She answers with grunts, burps, and by tilting her head from side to side. She understands a lot of words though, so I have to be careful. Words like 'going out' 'ball' 'bickie' get her all excited.

Grannylin Mon 13-May-13 22:33:27

I say hello to my dog as I come down the stairs in the morning and he stretches and yawns and says 'hello' ..and it really sounds like it, really!grin
( just caught up with Norman glass. he looks fun )

glassortwo Mon 13-May-13 22:00:45

I used to talk to myself until Norman arrived now I bend his ear grin

positivepam Mon 13-May-13 21:52:21

I didn't think there was anyone who didn't talk to their dogs. I always talk to mine and they do understand, extremely intelligent and they always pick up if I am sad etc.or not well and always there to keep me company. I do sometimes prefer their company to some people, they never answer back and always agree with me and they of course always know I am right. grin

mrsmopp Mon 13-May-13 21:38:49

Perfectly normal to talk to pets, after all you get a pet for company so it would not be normal to ignore them. My dog used to listen to me very attentively, head on one side, so of course she knew exactly what I was on about. And she had the intelligence to agree with me.
Sadly she's up in doggie heaven. I exoect she just listens to the angeks now..

tootler Mon 13-May-13 17:26:01

All the time, always have done. We are down to one dog now, a beautiful greyhound, and he listens intently, staring straight at me. Admittedly he might just think I'm barking mad but I like to believe he is taking it all in.

Nonu Mon 13-May-13 14:56:28

I do know when we mnd DS dog , I am always talking to him and telling himm what a lovely and good boy he is .

dorsetpennt Mon 13-May-13 14:04:27

Don't we all talk to our pets? I have just a pussy cat left now - my tabby and my two labs went 6 years ago. I've always chatted to my pets, even when we had hamsters. My little cat Milly sometimes answers me and she always greets me when I come home from work.
Does it make me a bit potty? I expect so but I don't care.

glammanana Mon 13-May-13 13:37:07

I've just read these lovely posts,walked into the lounge and asked Barney if he was ok and he rolled over yawned and went back to sleep so much for conversation with my pooch.grin

inthefields Mon 13-May-13 13:29:17

Much relieved that if I am losing my marbles in talking to the dogs and cats, then at least I seem to be doing it in very good company grin

Thank you for all the reassurance.

feetlebaum Mon 13-May-13 11:43:10

Oh noes, not Mr Hoover!

Ella46 Mon 13-May-13 11:39:49

I haven't got any pets any more, so I talk to myself, all the time ! blush

I think it can be very therapeutic, as I can say out loud, all the stuff I can't/won't say to the people, (won't say who!) that have hurt me so much.angry

Not to mention all the mundane stuff..."Right it's time to get the hoover out...Oh, do I have to? ..........Yes you do so just get on with it!" grin
Said, of course, in my sternest voice!

Sel Mon 13-May-13 11:38:42

MrsSB ha! and I bet he finds you very interesting smile

Lilygran grin

MrsSB Mon 13-May-13 11:35:32

I talk to my dog all the time, and he knows exactly what I'm talking about, lol. Particularly if I mention walk, or food, or one of his toys, haha!

Charleygirl Mon 13-May-13 11:10:31

I talk to my cat a lot and she loves it, especially when I say "beddies" and she runs upstairs and jumps on my bed, knowing that it is quality time for her with strokes and lots of love.

Lilygran Mon 13-May-13 10:23:16

I thought everyone talked to their pets? It seems quite natural that if the pet is there when you think, 'Time for tea' you say it aloud. Apart from the actual conversations you have with the animal like, 'Oh, what lovely paws' etc. I'll stop there. grin

shysal Mon 13-May-13 09:26:52

Duh! Of course!

Nonu Mon 13-May-13 09:17:37

CSL = can"t stop laughing . smile