<strong>By LEE SCOTT</strong>


According to recent reports, the adoption and fostering of dogs has skyrocketed during the past few months.

Many people who had wanted dogs in the past, but could not have one because of their work schedule, decided this was the time since they were going to be home. The added benefit being they had a great excuse to get out at least three times a day to walk the dog.

Dogs do so many things now. They are service dogs, therapy dogs and even dogs that can sniff out some diseases. For me, dog owning has just been part of my life.

My current dog’s name is Brandy. There are many joys having her, but the best part are the conversations. I talk to her all the time. Some common questions to her are:

“Want to go out?”

“Ready for dinner?”

She seems to know what I mean all the time, because she gets up and wags her tail. I suppose it is the inflection in my voice.

But she also reacts to things like, “Do you know where I put my glasses?” and “I think it is hot in here, what do you think?”

These questions are met with a raised eyebrow, as if to ask, “Did you mention food?”

For the most part, our conversations are one-sided. I talk and she listens. She does not correct my English nor attempt to solve my problems. She just listens.

Occasionally she will fall asleep, but if I am eating anything, she is at full attention. She may be sleeping in the living room when I begin to peel a banana in the kitchen and suddenly, she is next to me and ready to listen to whatever I might want to discuss.

Like, “Oh, would you like a piece of my banana?”

A recent conversation was unusually two-sided. I opened the refrigerator and there was no half-and-half for my coffee.

“Oh, my goodness, I forgot to buy half-and-half when I went to the store.” This was said with much regret and angst in my voice because I really like half-and-half in my coffee in the morning.”

“What?” She jumped up. “Did you say no dog food? You forgot to go to the store!”

As I wailed on about having to use milk instead of half-and-half, she became equally agitated.

Then I started to get her refrigerated dog food out and put it in her bowl. She started to wag her tail as if to say, “Oh Thank God! It was not my dog food.”

Yes, dogs are great companions and listeners. But be careful what you say to them. You never know what they hear, especially when in comes to food.

Lee Scott, award winning humor writer takes her “Walter Mitty” like persona and spins tales around everyday life. She enjoys boating, reading, and meeting people. Scott lives in Beaufort with her husband, JD, along with their dog Brandy. You can reach her at Lasshood@aol.com.