As a new parent we quickly get tuned into our babies. We know the cry that means hungry and the cry that means “I want to watch Dora.” With toddlers we know what nonsensical words mean and they end up making sense to us. You end up “just knowing” what your kids mean when they say things. It’s a parenting gift.
Another thing is, all families have their own words for things — like a secret language among people who live under one roof.
In our family I’d have to say that my favorite family word is: Motecon. (sounds like Moken)
Any guesses?
ReMOTE CONtrol.
Duh.
But special language is not reserved for human members of the family. And I realized this once again this morning.
I was blowing dry my hair, in my bathroom. The kids were dispersed and certainly well within the reach of the dog that came to me. Into the bathroom, looking up at me, barking.
Bark. Bark. Bark.
I shut off the blow dryer, looked at her and said, “NO!” in my stern dog-mom voice.
Bark. Bark. Bark.
It could not be an emergency, no other dog was barking (we have 3) and there were no screaming shrieking teens. It was obvious the dog was trying to tell me something.
“Show me,” I said.
She took off like a dog after a mouse in the backyard (another story) down the long hallway. She ran sideways glancing back to make sure I was behind her. With two legs I cannot move as quickly as she does with four, and it annoys her. She strode into the kitchen and sat beneath the kitchen counter.
Bark. Bark. Bark.
And then I knew what it meant. “There is a box of treats up there you forgot to put in the cabinet and I’ll be wanting one NOW.”
I gave her a treat and a little advice.
“You could have asked Son or Daughter for a treat you know,” I said earnestly. “They’re right over there.”
My sometimes crazy dog just looked at me, treat in mouth.
“But you’re my mom,” she said. “You understand me.”
OK, no she didn’t, but that’s what she meant.
I just know it.
*Please tell me you understand the title of this blog post!
March 4th, 2008Great post. With a nearly 2 year old, I’ve become quite conversant in toddler speak. We also have an 8 year old dog and those barks do have different meanings, too.
And yes, I “get” the title.
March 4th, 2008Don’t you know that when you’re the Mama, you’re EVERYBODY’s Mama? My cats “speak” to me as well. They meow for treats, they tell me one of them has been left outside in the rain or has been closed in a closet accidentally. I get them. It’s a Mom thing. And they know it.
March 4th, 2008I’ve never known an animal in a family situation that hasn’t figured out that Mom is the treat lady. She’s in control of the food. Mom is the one you beg to.
As for the title, well geesh. EVERYONE loves Lassie, right?
March 4th, 2008Ah, so many messages from Lassie. And all the other creatures I have had live with me. It has been more than once that my children, in true Lassie style, have saved a pet. The most memorable–when we moved to a new town in a new state we bought a small anole lizard for our son. One day we had a visitor, someone whom I had never met but wanted to talk with me about something or other, and my 6 yr old and 2 1/2 yr old came running down the stairs yelling “Spike’s tale broke off and he is bleeding.” Poor Spike. And mean mom who would not purchase the recommended sedative to calm poor Spike’s nerves. About a week later, Spike gave us a clear message telling us he was not happy about our lack of drugging animals that cost $1.98. He was so distraught over losing half of his tale, he committed suicide. Poor Spike.
March 4th, 2008Oh lawd, this cracked me up.
Just the other night my dog, the one who never asks to go out because the other one is doing all the pestering, sat in front of me just looking at me. I shooed him away but he wouldn’t budge.
“Do you need to go out?”
His ears perked up and he ran to the door. We really need to work on some new signals.
March 5th, 2008My dog is just plain dumb. There’s a baggie of treats right out in plain view, but he never asks for one. However, both he and our cat won’t go lay on the bed at night until I do, even if my husband goes to bed earlier than me. It’s not sleep-time until Mom sleeps!
March 6th, 2008Lassie!
March 8th, 2008I am just learning dog-speak with my puppy but somehow he’s already figured out that he should come straight to me ’cause I’m the mama.
Missed you.
March 8th, 2008I’ll second the motion and tell you that rabbits honestly have facial expressions. I know when mine wants to be fed and when she wants to be picked up.
April 12th, 2008Yes, I get the Lassie reference. Often, when one of my cats is howling his brains out, it’s to tell me (a) his brother is locked in some room and can’t get out, or (b) he’s going to puke.