The Hound & Surround Sound......
 

We have a big 43" TV at home with a great Infiniti surround sound system. Quite a change from the little 12V TV with the 9" screen we've been watching all winter! Well, I noticed when Higgins was sitting on my "shelf" (I don't have much of a lap anymore, but I've got a great shelf under my chin that he has declared his favorite place to lounge) the other night that he would all of a sudden sit up and be alert in one direction and then another. Very restless. And I thought he was not completely happy about it. Then it occured to me: The surround sound!!!! I was watching some movie or other and as a voice or a peculiar sound or a dog barking would come first from one rear speaker and then another.....that was it! My ever vigilant guard dog was alert to each speaker and what was coming out of it! Poor baby, it was kinda driving him nuts. So now I've turned the surround sound off or waaaaay down and he seems to be less stressed. Except for right this minute when there is thunder coming from the rear speakers while I'm sitting here typing this.....and he's "woofing" in response. Sometimes he likes watching TV, particularly when there are animals on.....so while I was gone visiting Don in the hospital today, I took your suggestions here and left Animal Planet on for my boys. Any of your little ones react to surround sound?

I think Yoda got used to our surround sound. We have a big screen as well. Well, for regular TV and cable, there's not much surround sound (only TV speakers). But when we watch DVDs, it's usually in full surround sound. Yoda doesn't really get alarmed by the rear sounds now.

What he does do is bark like mad whenever a dog or HORSE (heh, we watched the Kentucky Derby and Yoda yapped the whole race) is on the screen. He wants to protect his territory and alert me there is danger (in his mind). I appreciate it, and then tell Yoda a stern NO and "Down, Yoda"... He also barks when he hears doorbells on TV and commercials. He thinks someone is coming to his house and wants to tell us about it. The funniest is when Yoda's tired and napping, then sees it on TV, he'll pop his head up and give out a few barks then plop his head back down again, job well done. :)

A few times we've caught Yoda sitting on the bed watching TV intently. It is amazing to catch him like this, as he's intensely focused on his Animal Planet program. Must not have been a horse or dog on, as he didn't bark at all. :P

Toto reacts to doorbells on TV as well! Their hearing is amazing ... she hears Pat when he wakes in the morning [through two doors and usually she is snuggled inside my robe while I work at my desk]! She also has a "shelf" that she loves to sleep on ... Patrick's chest ... she sits up there like she is the "Queen of the World" ;) [Higgins Mom can vouch for the fact that I don't have one so she just has to settle for my lap!!] :p They seem to like to be up high where they can see everything ... like walking across the back of the sofa like a little mountain goat! :p Scares me but no matter how many times I tell her "No" ... occasionally she will do it anyway!! :eek:

Don's flu apparantly didn't get better?? :confused: Tell him Patrick and I are thinking of him and if he doesn't get back home soon .... there will be no "puppy kisses" left for him!!! ;)

Hey Bettye.....Don has turned the corner and the drugs are beginning to defeat the infection! I was seriously concerned yesterday that we might lose him! Scared !!! It was wonderful having Higgins and Pogo to keep me company and make me smile......dogs can be so comforting.

If Don keeps improving at this rate, he may get to come home this weekend! YAAAAAAAY!!!!!

GREAT news!!! :D I knew he had been sick ... didn't realize it was that bad! We are soooo glad that he's "on the road" to recovery!!! :) Tell Don ... that's no way to end a Casita vacation!! :p I know you were glad to have your "other men" to keep you company ... I'll bet they were a little out of sorts without Don there too. They have a sixth sense about that sort of thing and you're right .... they are certainly a comfort!! Here's hoping he will get home by the weekend!!! ;)