Our pets know things. How? Is it the Mothership telling them? Are they psychic? Do they have other senses we don't know about? Can they see into the immediate future? They can also see and hear things we can't.

Take, for instance, yesterday. My dog, Shasta, was smelling a bit ripe; so, I determined to give her a bath. Now, I didn't make any preparations in the bathroom and I didn't say "bath". But, when I called her, she was nowhere to be found. Now, normally, she is lying in the middle of a walkway where she can keep an eye on us. So, I called my son to get her. She obeys him: she is His Dog.

So, she came down the hallway with her tail between her legs. As she got close to the bathroom, she speeded up like a car going through a yellow light, and disappeared into my son's room. Somehow, she "knew".

At least she takes a pill ok; she knows she will get a handful of treats afterward. But not the cats. They "know" when it is time for Droncit or Laxatone. I have gotten used to the stalk and pounce game to get their medicine to them, not always successfully. But if I don't get Amber first, then I have to call my son to lift the bed so I can pry the silly cat out of the springs.

They also "know" when I have a day off. Sometimes I let them outside and sometimes I don't. When I am going to do so, they are in a bunch just in front of my feet leading me to the door complaining I am slow. Then it is a stampede as they thunder out the door, all trying to be first. They do try to get me to let them out other times, but it is half-hearted, like they know better.

Cats can be spooky about what they know. They know what is in a can of cat food before it is opened. Amber is great at this. Sometimes I try new flavors or new brands. If it is something Amber will particularly like, he is up on the counter trying to help me open it. If not, he sits on the floor with a "Ho, Humm" expression; and then he will smell it and give me the "look":...you know the one: "You expect me to eat this?" How does he know?

He also "knows" when I bring a frozen chicken or turkey in to thaw out. Even disguised in a grocery bag, he "knows". He also knows when I bring home a grocery bag of bread. He loves bread. I have to watch it like a hawk until it goes to the freezer.

Pets are weathermen. They know when it is nice or nasty outside. Shasta has been in danger of busting her bladder because of bad weather. Many times I have had to boot her out for the sake of her health. She will baptize the outside of the door and come back in shaking rain or snow on me.

The cats hibernate during bad weather; but let it get nice after a long bad spell and they are sneaky at trying to get out. Djoser is particularly adept at this. And he won't come in until he is ready. Many times I have come home from work and Djoser meets my car. He knows my car. A common complaint of my son is: "How did that cat get out?"

How do they know the weather when they are in a warm house? How do they know when they gotta go to the vet? They know even before I bring in the carrier. My house has several black holes and phantom zones in it. And they know when danger is over and suddenly reappear.

Pets "know" people. There are many legends on this subject. My favorite was DC, a calico mom we had years ago. Our house was sold out from under us and the landlord brought a sheriff with him to evict us. Why, I don't know. A notice on the door is customary. When my husband opened the door, DC was in the living room with her kittens. She flew to the door and leaped up head high onto the screen door and howled. She did not like those men. Somehow, she knew they were up to no good with her home. The men left, hollering about the eviction as they trotted down the sidewalk and they never came back.

But our pets also know when we are feeling bad and often know just how to comfort us, bless their hearts. They forgive us without too long of a grudge period. They know just how long that should be for maximum effect. I think the whole thing boils down to a psychic connection and they use it to our mutual advantage. I love my fur babies and all their unique "knowing".

Copyright © Catherine Jo Sadler
September 5, 2001