Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Captain Virgil Hilts on May 07, 2004, 11:26:06 PM

Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: Captain Virgil Hilts on May 07, 2004, 11:26:06 PM
The thread about dogs had me thinking about my wife's Rotties and they did something peculiar tonight that they've done before, on numerous occaisions.

They do not howl at sirens, particular musical instruments, or other dogs.

There is one thing that they will howl at. And one thing only. They will make the most heart rending and mournful howl any time either of them hears Taps, performed by any instrument. While the Rottie we have had the longest did it from the time we got her (I first saw and heard her do it when Taps was played at the Coca Cola 600 on Memorial Day), so did the abused Rottie we rescued and adopted. She did it from the first time we saw her hear Taps played, and without the other dog. They do it without fail, they will most often look out the window, not at the television or home theater system where the sound comes from. They get this look of inconsolable grief, and will not stop howling until after Taps is finished. They will sit for a minute and stare out the window, or sometimes look at the tv with their heads cocked sideways. Then they'll come to either my wife or me, and very gently lay their head in our lap and look up at us with obviously wet eyes.

It is the damnedest thing to see. The sound and look of unbelievable anguish from those two dogs every time they hear Taps cannot be described adequately with words. It does not seem to cause physical pain in either of them (anyone who knows animals, and dogs in particular, can immediately tell if a noise causes a dog pain, and this does not), just a terrible emotional distress. And yet if you turn it down or turn it off once it has started, they will become very restless and agitated, and will not calm down if you don't let it finish playing. And when you do turn it back up or on, they go right back to howling.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: storch on May 07, 2004, 11:29:38 PM
quick get your .22 it's starting to occur.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: Captain Virgil Hilts on May 07, 2004, 11:33:15 PM
Quote
Originally posted by storch
quick get your .22 it's starting to occur.


 :rolleyes:

I guess that was supposed to be funny........................ ........
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: storch on May 07, 2004, 11:34:05 PM
not at all. true.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: Slash27 on May 07, 2004, 11:47:46 PM
I dont get what the **** he's talking about, but my Rott would do the same to the theme song to Law and Order. Not exactly Taps but he wouldnt stop till the song was done. He would wake from a sound sleep the second it started and start to whine. When the guitar part started the howling started. Was funny as hell. It was the only song he would do that too. I thought it was funny he wouldnt react the same way to the theme songs to the other Law and Order spin offs when they were very similar songs.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: NUKE on May 07, 2004, 11:57:39 PM
Dogs have good memories, probably they are responding to a memory that the song or sound evokes.

My friend had a German Shepard as puppy when he was a kid living with his stepsister and brother. Later, the dog lived with him until it died when he was in college many years later.

I was his roomate ...... any time he said the words "Pinetop" or Dorothy or Brian, the dog would perform this howl that was like a song.... almost talking....He was responding to the family vacation cabin in Pinetop Arizona and the names of my friend's step brother and sister from at least 8 years before. If we kept saying "pinetop" he would get so exicted and run in circles howling.

Maybe the songs you guys mention are similar.

Animals are amazing sometimes.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: Nash on May 08, 2004, 12:03:47 AM
The quick and easy answer to this:

It's cuz they are teh devil... and recoil at the sight, sound, whatever, of anything holy.

Yer lookin' at one guy who'd be just that more content if he woke up one morning to find those msquealing dogs had suddenly vanished. The squealing things.

I know yer prolly gonna take great offence to this cuz you're all attached to your cute wittle mutant squealing blood lapping 4 legged satan spawn. Get a gerbil.

Man I hate those things.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: GtoRA2 on May 08, 2004, 12:48:51 AM
Rotties are great Nash! Virgil just needs to get his to hold a five gallon bucket and take a pick!!
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: Nash on May 08, 2004, 12:58:41 AM
Quote
Originally posted by GtoRA2
Rotties are great Nash! Virgil just needs to get his to hold a five gallon bucket and take a pick!!


lol :)

I can agree with ya to a certain extent. I don't even know if I'm saying this right, but a mother rottie went bat-***** and cornered our bass player.... all "yer so screwed" and everything... He pissed himself against that wall. Literally. I'll forever be thankful to those dogs for that... fer sure. Gonna cherish that memory forever.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: GtoRA2 on May 08, 2004, 01:01:55 AM
Tell the truth Nash it was the bucket in her mouth that had him scared, drowning is a bad way to go. :D
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: Nash on May 08, 2004, 01:15:57 AM
Oh he was drowning allright. :)
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: storch on May 08, 2004, 06:16:15 AM
The thing with dogs is that they become a part of the family and in many cases like a close friend.  when it becomes their time it is natural to mourn their passing.  I will never again own a dog, at least not until there is a good chance that he will survive my death.  Cats are indifferent and they keep the pesky birds and rodent population under control.  I could give a crap when a cat croaks.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: _Schadenfreude_ on May 08, 2004, 06:19:07 AM
Do they do the same during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner or whenever they see an American flag?
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: storch on May 08, 2004, 06:26:11 AM
I didn't want to comment on that post by virgil but dogs will howl to the damnest things.  we had a beagle when I was a kid that would howl when anyone farted loudly.  It was hilarious.  whenever my cousins came over to spend the night we ate lots of beans, cabbage, and avocados.  it was funniest when occasionally my dad would be in his recliner, asleep in front of the TV and let one rip.  he hated that dog.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: strk on May 08, 2004, 07:52:41 AM
CHesapeake Bay retrievers are the most amazing animals.  Talk about your singe minded sense of duty.  There are articles in the local papers every once in a while, especially during hunting season.

A year or 2 ago there was a Bay retriever who swam 3 miles EACH WAY to retrieve his duck

Another story where a duck landed in a fast moving river current.  The dog was tearing after it and jumped into the (Rapahhannock?) river and was carried downstream.  The hunter waited for several hours went home.  Two days later the dog shows up at his home.

The duck was in his mouth.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: Captain Virgil Hilts on May 08, 2004, 08:41:07 PM
Quote
Originally posted by _Schadenfreude_
Do they do the same during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner or whenever they see an American flag?


No.

Why, do you have a dachshund that yodels "Deutschland Uber Alles "? Or a French poodle that yelps "I Surrender"?
Title: Re: Speaking of dogs
Post by: Hawklore on May 08, 2004, 09:31:42 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
The thread about dogs had me thinking about my wife's Rotties and they did something peculiar tonight that they've done before, on numerous occaisions.

They do not howl at sirens, particular musical instruments, or other dogs.

There is one thing that they will howl at. And one thing only. They will make the most heart rending and mournful howl any time either of them hears Taps, performed by any instrument. While the Rottie we have had the longest did it from the time we got her (I first saw and heard her do it when Taps was played at the Coca Cola 600 on Memorial Day), so did the abused Rottie we rescued and adopted. She did it from the first time we saw her hear Taps played, and without the other dog. They do it without fail, they will most often look out the window, not at the television or home theater system where the sound comes from. They get this look of inconsolable grief, and will not stop howling until after Taps is finished. They will sit for a minute and stare out the window, or sometimes look at the tv with their heads cocked sideways. Then they'll come to either my wife or me, and very gently lay their head in our lap and look up at us with obviously wet eyes.

It is the damnedest thing to see. The sound and look of unbelievable anguish from those two dogs every time they hear Taps cannot be described adequately with words. It does not seem to cause physical pain in either of them (anyone who knows animals, and dogs in particular, can immediately tell if a noise causes a dog pain, and this does not), just a terrible emotional distress. And yet if you turn it down or turn it off once it has started, they will become very restless and agitated, and will not calm down if you don't let it finish playing. And when you do turn it back up or on, they go right back to howling.


Perhaps reincarnated military dogs...
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: storch on May 09, 2004, 05:52:39 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
No.

Why, do you have a dachshund that yodels "Deutschland Uber Alles "? Or a French poodle that yelps "I Surrender"?


:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl  french poodles that yelps I surrender.  Thats rich.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: lazs2 on May 09, 2004, 09:41:48 AM
anyone who owns dogs deserves to scoop dog doo the rest of their lives.

lazs
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: capt. apathy on May 09, 2004, 10:09:59 AM
Quote
Originally posted by lazs2
anyone who owns dogs deserves to scoop dog doo the rest of their lives.

lazs


my dog will be gone in the next year or so (14 is pretty old), but she has a small corner of the yard(less than 1 sq yd) where I trained her to go as a pup.  no shovel work here.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: DREDIOCK on May 09, 2004, 10:21:54 AM
Quote
Originally posted by storch
I didn't want to comment on that post by virgil but dogs will howl to the damnest things.  we had a beagle when I was a kid that would howl when anyone farted loudly.  It was hilarious.  


Speaking of dogs.. and farts.
Anyone ever suddenly make a short quick farting noise with their mouth and see their dog suddenly stop in their tracks and start sniffing its own butt as if it wasnt sure if it had farted itself or not?
LMAO funny sight
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: DREDIOCK on May 09, 2004, 10:23:12 AM
Quote
Originally posted by lazs2
anyone who owns dogs deserves to scoop dog doo the rest of their lives.

lazs


No worrries here.
Thats one of those unpleasent chores I have a 15 year old slave for.:cool:
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: DREDIOCK on May 09, 2004, 10:25:14 AM
Quote
Originally posted by storch
The thing with dogs is that they become a part of the family and in many cases like a close friend.  when it becomes their time it is natural to mourn their passing.  I will never again own a dog, at least not until there is a good chance that he will survive my death.  Cats are indifferent and they keep the pesky birds and rodent population under control.  I could give a crap when a cat croaks.


Well put.
I could take you to the final resting places of my last 4 dogs.

The last few cats went into the trash can
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: storch on May 09, 2004, 12:14:37 PM
cats make great fish food when they croak or get killed I toss their weighted carcusses my off my beach the bream eat them  which keeps their population around my property high, they inturn attract the snook and the micropterus floridanus.  great system.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: lazs2 on May 09, 2004, 01:12:14 PM
everyone I know who owns a dog is either criminaly neglegent of their animals or is a slave to them... no middle ground..

Hardly worth it simply to have something alive lick your hand and look at you with lovesick eyes.

I had a dog for 14 years.  I liked that dog... I put up with all the hassle and the imposition on my freedom.

I don't think I will ever get another one.

lazs
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: capt. apathy on May 09, 2004, 02:44:25 PM
most people put off a little bit of work and end up with a lot when it comes too dogs (kids too for that matter).

take the hassle to train a dog imediatly, and the rest is easy.
the only effort with mine is keeping the food and water supplied, and opening the door when she comes and gets you.

she'll come up and tap your ankle and make a grunt noise to let you know she needs to go out.  we once had car trouble and where almost a day and a half late getting home, the dog held it in and would not go in the house.

wouldn't trade her for the world and will miss her when she's gone.  aside from being great company for the whole family she has also taken down one burgler in the living room and tore up some bum who was going through the tool shed.

when it comes to home deffence she's like having a gun  with outo pilot.
Title: Speaking of dogs
Post by: lazs2 on May 09, 2004, 04:56:21 PM
I liked my dog too and it was very well behaved but... it was a tremendous imposition on my freedom and it totaled whatever aren it lived in..  when it was outdoors it ruined the yard and when it was indoors it made the house smell like... like dog.   it made me smell like dog and I couldn't simply take off for 3 days or stay longer somewhere than I wanted...   I had to plan my life around the dog in most instances.

It bothered people who don't like dogs and it left dog hair everywhere..  It barked when I didn't want it to.

I liked that dog and my daughter grew up with it but...

Not being having one for the last 7 or 8 years made me realize how much better off I am now.

lazs