Pet Smarts

Kona, our Border Collie and Australian Shepherd mix, is one clever cookie.  Not too surprising, since both breeds are known for their intelligence.  But still, she amazes us.  Last fall we walked her over to the high school to play Frisbee, and an errant toss-probably by me-sent her beloved rubber saucer over the fence into the baseball field.  She could see her Frisbee, inside the fence, about 4 feet from where she stood, but she knew she could not retrieve it.

To access the baseball field, you have to go through a maze of other fields and fences, which we did.  And Kona, once inside the baseball field, ran straight over to her Frisbee.  We were  stunned! How did she remember where to find it, or even remember she had lost it?   She did not  hesitate or even search.  She just knew exactly where her Frisbee was.

So yes, we  knew she was bright.  But last night Kona proved that she is a genius.  Stuart has been helping me build my web page. It is unchartered water for us both.   We were simultaneously watching a Photoshop tutorial, and trying to put into practice what the tutorial was demonstrating.  Success was one step away, but frustratingly, we could not figure out what “tool” the narrator was selecting to achieve what he was demonstrating.

Kona, playing the part of the uninterested onlooker, lay next to where we were working, probably hoping we would give up and take her for a walk.  Suddenly, she jumped up and put a paw on the keyboard.  Like magic, the correct tool appeared!  “Kona!” we exclaimed.  “How did you do that?”

Yes, Kona is one clever cookie.  If only we could  teach her to talk.

Now it’s your turn to brag.  Tell me what makes your own pet exceptional!