Pet Communication

Many controversial opinions vary on the fact that humans can communicate with their pets. Pets, considered by most as a part of the family, do indeed communicate with their owners. Having many pets myself, I can attribute to the ideas that the relationship between a pet and it's owner leads to an understanding of one another through time. Communication with pets varies from the different species of animals. For instance, I can "communicate" with my fish. However, I can communicate better with my dogs and cats. Communications with my pet birds lies as an even more challenge for me than for them. For the birds, "communication" with me comes easier for them in the way that they can fly to where they would like to go, or they can loudly squawk and sit next to the food and water bowl when they would like fresh bird seed. Still, even louder squawks signal to me to come and chase away any of three cats that constantly keep watch on the ever interesting little feathered things that lie within the partitioning cage bars. Also able to communicate with me through body language, the birds "fluff" their feathers while on the perch to signal their contentment along with soft "cooing" noises. In this way, the birds communicate using their vocal ability along with body language. For showing trust, Chi Chi, the female of the two, will lie on her back in the palm of my hand. However, communication of the birds to me comes across very clear, my communication to them lies strictly limited. They can only recognize tone of voice when I am around. Talking to them softly often often leads to some soft chatter from their end of the "conversation." When raising my voice to scare off any of the ever curious cats, the birds produce loud chattering and will fly from my shoulder to the nearest perch. Though completely different animals, the cats and dogs ability to pick up voice inflections is the same. When scolded for bringing home the never ending fresh roadkill, the dog kneels to the ground, looks down, and tucks his tail. When praised for good actions, the dog wags his tail and begs for a petting. Lucky, our lab and chow mix, communicates with everyone in the family the most. When he wants to go outside, he sits by the door. If you just happen to not look in his direction, you will soon feel the touch of a hairy head under your palm leading you to the door, and if still ignoring his wants, you can count on a friendly nip to get your undivided attention. When ready to come back in, you he will peek in the window, or a let out a high pitched yelp from the outside. Although the dog and birds seem to communicate well vocally, the cats take the cake when it comes to vocal communication. Many different "meows" exist for getting what they want, and also for expressing disgust. Along with vocal communication, their body language comes across even more clear. Cats, the ever independent beings as they come across, only show the greatest affection when they want or need attention. For example, my cat Mary, only will come and join me on the couch if the bottom of the bowl is starting to show. (Although there may be food in the bowl, if she can see the bottom....the world might as well come to an end!) Then the affections really start to show. Climbing up and down, tail in your face, and covered in the never ending shedding fur, will get her what she wants. However, if the cats not happy, no one is happy. As the little queen that she believes herself to be, you never touch her unless she touches you first. Otherwise, do'nt look at her. Asserting her rule over the household, she will walk through the house hissing in disgust at any passerby or freshly sat down items. All of these examples that I have experienced lead me to believe that pets and their owners communicate on a daily basis. Whether communicating needs or just affection, animals and their owners in my mind "speak" and clearly communicate with each other.