“Do you sing to your Labby?” was a recent question on one of the most popular dog message boards that I frequent. Upon reading the question, I let out a huge laugh that made both of my own Labs jump up out of a sound sleep. Sing to your dog? Really? Who really sings to their dog?
All right, I admit that I have sung to my dogs in the past 5 years since bringing home our first beloved Labrador Retriever, Dakota. When my husband wasn’t home, I would blast the music as I cleaned and sang out loud to amuse myself while doing tedious housework. Who hasn’t done this from time to time – especially when there are no other humans around to watch you make a fool out of yourself.
I used to do this all the time – that was until one day I was cleaning with my iPod on and ear buds in while singing a Will Smith song. That is when I turned around and noticed both dogs staring at me.
I stopped in my tracks with a duster in one hand and my mouth wide open; ready to sing the chorus of “Switch”. Both Cheyenne and Dakota had the most pleading of looks on their faces when I asked them “What’s wrong?” in the most loving of dog mommy voices.
That’s when they put their heads down, slinked out of the room and took cover in their dog crates.
It was at that moment I realized that although I had been in the church choir, chorus from the 3rd to 9th grade and have even sung in real competitions (doing quite well, I may add), my dogs did not share the enthusiasm with my singing voice that other humans had in the past. They bailed on me and refused to enter the room until my iPod was placed away on my desk.
So, if you ask me if I sing to my Labbies, my answer would have to honestly be: “Not anymore!”
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
What message board are you mentioning? I currently am on a Lab board that I love, but always looking for new places to chat about my wonderful lab..thanks Christy
I laughed out loud and long when I read this one! As a former choir and chorus singer, as well as oft soloist in high school, I too often sing aloud while at home, or in the car, thinking “wth, nobody around but the dog” I stopped singing in front of our first dog, Blue, the lab/spaniel X when my hubs pointed out that each time I began to sing, the dog opened her mouth widely in an apparent scream. : )
Exactly JeanMarie! That is too funny as it truly hits home. You think that they wouldn’t be critical of our singing as their singing voice isn’t any better.