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Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,064,362 times
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So, just over 13 months ago, we moved from CT to MA. It was a tough transition for me and Artie because I had made a great friend who lived around the corner from our house. He has two young Labs, who became Artie's best (and only) dog friends. For four years, we would all see each other at least three times per day. It was terrific. And then we moved.
Although we'd tried, over the year since we'd left, to try to get together, there was always something that got in the way. One of the Labs had surgery, one of us was going on vacation, etc...
But this past weekend, it happened.
I was a bit concerned that Artie wouldn't remember my friend and his wife, but I was mostly concerned -- since Artie's not a "dog person" and is pretty dog-aggressive -- that he wouldn't remember Simon and Sadie.
Well.
I asked my friend to call me when they got close, so that we could go outside so that everyone could re-meet everyone, in case Artie got spooked about having "strangers" in "his" house. They drove up and Simon (yellow Lab) was sticking his head out of the driver's side. Artie would have barked like crazy at a strange dog, but he just looked at him, like "Hmmm." They pulled into our driveway so that the passenger side faced Artie, and Sadie (black Lab, Artie's best girl ever!) was sticking her head out that side. Artie went NUTS. He was trying to climb up the SUV to get to her -- no barking or anything; just pure glee. Then my friend's wife opened the passenger door, and as per usual with their SUV (as when Artie would see it in our old neighborhood), he wanted in so he could see his friends. So he climbed in, presumably to get to Simon and Sadie (and also to my friend -- Artie's favorite guy in the world), but he saw the toy in the gift bag on the SUV floor, "knew" it was for him, and took it. And there's the picture to prove it.
Anyway, we all went inside (it wasn't nice weather and although the dogs often played in our old yard, inside might have been tricky, but it wasn't). They were The Three Muskateers (Simon, Sadie, and their "big" brother Artie) all over again, as if almost 14 months had zoomed by in a minute.
Cute picture and great story!! I always wondered how long dogs remember people and places. I moved from VA to CO 2 years ago and my parents are always worried Max is going to forget them. He always seems to remember, or if he doesn't then he's a really good actor dog at pretending like he does.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,064,362 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by strawberrykiki
Cute picture and great story!! I always wondered how long dogs remember people and places. I moved from VA to CO 2 years ago and my parents are always worried Max is going to forget them. He always seems to remember, or if he doesn't then he's a really good actor dog at pretending like he does.
I wish I knew the answer -- and I don't know if the same answer applies to all dogs anyway. The thing with Artie, though, is he can't act. He's aggressive with strangers. So you're either a stranger (and find an aggressive dog) or you're a friend (and find a lovebug). There's no in between and there's no pretending either way.
Artie sees his old "owner" (I hate that word) once per year, at Thanksgiving (coincidentally), and always remembers her. He sees my father-in-law once per year and always remembers him. It's amazing to me. And beautiful.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,064,362 times
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Originally Posted by no kudzu
great story. dogs don't seem to forget people and animals they really love. Artie must really love his new toy. what a funny baby he is!
He had the first -- of SIX!!! -- squeaker out in one minute flat. I then spent 15 minutes completely disemboweling the toy -- removing all the stuffing and all of those nasty squeakers. I can't believe that my friend didn't remember that it was one of HIS dogs toy's squeakers that Artie ate so that he puked 14 times the next morning, had to go to the vet, almost had to have surgery, blah blah blah. I could have killed him for bringing a toy like that for Artie. Well, it's the thought (not the crappy memory!) that counts.
I wish I knew the answer -- and I don't know if the same answer applies to all dogs anyway. The thing with Artie, though, is he can't act. He's aggressive with strangers. So you're either a stranger (and find an aggressive dog) or you're a friend (and find a lovebug). There's no in between and there's no pretending either way.
Artie sees his old "owner" (I hate that word) once per year, at Thanksgiving (coincidentally), and always remembers her. He sees my father-in-law once per year and always remembers him. It's amazing to me. And beautiful.
So you have proof of Artie's memory! Max really loves everyone, anytime I have a new friend over he's made best friends and is sitting on their lap within a few minutes, so it's hard for me to tell if he really remembers or he just loves everyone, lol.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,064,362 times
Reputation: 28903
Quote:
Originally Posted by strawberrykiki
So you have proof of Artie's memory! Max really loves everyone, anytime I have a new friend over he's made best friends and is sitting on their lap within a few minutes, so it's hard for me to tell if he really remembers or he just loves everyone, lol.
You got the much better deal. I love Artie to bits, I really do, but I'd love him MUCH more if he was like Max.
I think dogs have very good memories. My sister up in Portland has a dog that is like Artie, aggressive towards most dogs and not real friendly to people she does not know I see her less the 1X a year sometimes it is closer to 2 yrs and she goes nuts when she sees me as she and I have a good time. she will even give up sleeping with my sister to sleep with me ... I always joke that we have a slumber party
Artie looks so adorable and I am so happy that his(and your) friends came to visit what a great day for all of you~
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,064,362 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dashdog
I think dogs have very good memories. My sister up in Portland has a dog that is like Artie, aggressive towards most dogs and not real friendly to people she does not know I see her less the 1X a year sometimes it is closer to 2 yrs and she goes nuts when she sees me as she and I have a good time. she will even give up sleeping with my sister to sleep with me ... I always joke that we have a slumber party
Artie looks so adorable and I am so happy that his(and your) friends came to visit what a great day for all of you~
Thanks! It was a great day for everyone!
Jan, I bet it also helps your sister's dog to know that you're a dog person -- they sense that even in strangers. Another reason that they're so amazing.
Dog's have great memories. My cousin used to have 3 dalmatians--all three have passed within the last few years =( and they were never great with people, you kind of had to win them over. I spent a summer at my cousins house about 10 years ago and the youngest was still a pup, maybe a year or two at max. Everyday when she was outside she'd come to the window and I'd throw her a treat. A few days in she was getting closer and closer, by the end of my trip we were the best of friends. I only saw her and the other two once every two years and all 3 of them always remembered me. They would come running and give me kisses everytime they saw me. Such great memories that doggies have. =)
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