Since we have seen some diaries on here related to animal, and specifically canine, intelligence; I have to relate my favorite, true story.
I know because I was there. Follow me after the orange sherbets.
When I was a single man in my mid 20’s my parent’s, who lived in a rural area, had two dogs.
Princess, a golden retriever mix, was Mom’s dog who providentially showed up at the house about the time Dad started working 2nd shift. Since my brother and his wife were in college and I lived and worked about 45 minutes from home; Princess was Mom’s loved and appreciated companion in the evenings while Dad worked. She stayed in the house every night.
Earle, a scruffy little border collie, was “my” dog who also just showed up at the house one day with his sister “Pearl.” Although Earle outlived Pearl, he was considered the “dumb” one of the pair; but that is another story. He stayed outside by choice except nights I was home when he started insisting on staying inside with me.
Earle’s first inside night was unique as my brother, his wife and I were all at home for the night. Since, the house only had two bedrooms; I had to sleep on the couch in the living room.
I went to bed on the couch with both dogs lying on the carpeting living room floor. About 2 am I sensed the dogs stirring. As I opened one eye Earle was standing over Princess as she slept and as I became aware of what was going on; he started to whimper softly.
I kept watching surreptitiously as Princess awoke from her deep sleep and looked up at Earle. Sensing what was on his mind she got up, yawned, stretched and walked over to me. I feigned sleep as she looked at me, whined a little and finally put her cold nose on mine.
I “woke” up. I asked her, “Do you need to go out, girl?” I was immediately reward with her wagging her tail and bouncing about as a dog usually does in such a situation.
I got up off the couch and walked to the front door of the house with Princess right behind me. When I opened the inside door and held open the storm door; Princess, who had been right next to the door, moved to one side and Earle went out the door.
Princess ignored the open doors and walked back over to her warm spot on the rug. I went back to the couch until Earle scratched on the door about 20 minutes later come back in. The rest of the night passed without interruption; however, I started to question the idea that Earle was “dumb.”
He didn’t know how to get out at night but he knew enough to know that Princess knew. Turns out both were pretty smart pups.