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That Ben is one smart dog! I've seen well trained animals, but never one that is capable of reasoning and understanding on this level. Then again, they do say that dogs pick up traits from their owners...! 
posted by
Mia890
on July 29, 2013 at 8:28 AM
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Re: Re: Ben
Sorry spell check did not catch (simply) lol
posted by
MsJudy
on July 28, 2013 at 9:49 PM
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Re: Ben
Simly love Justi's response! LOL
posted by
MsJudy
on July 28, 2013 at 9:48 PM
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Animals never cease to amaze me, they are so darn smart!
posted by
MsJudy
on July 28, 2013 at 9:48 PM
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Ben
You will blow them all away when you walk on your front legs and bounce the yellow tennis ball with your back feet. Oh no, Ben you must not doubt your abilities that is what gets you over the line called normal. You do not want to remain back there, come on over Big Guy. 
Be sure you do not allow Mr. Nautikos to forget his unbrella. Treats follow genius or sweet behavior.
Say What? Of course you can after one of those Gin and Tonic thingies Mr. Naut makes. Ben you can e mail me and tell me how it all went.
posted by
Justi
on July 28, 2013 at 3:57 PM
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and thanks for the comment at my post...the Hospital here is ...Sigh!!all the docots there are scared of our Dr. who seems to run the hospital...I am frustrated but it sure helps to write stuff out.
posted by
Kabu
on July 24, 2013 at 8:34 PM
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It always amazes me how the more time you take to watch and follow an animals behaviour just how smart they are. You are right. This is behaviour way beyond a little child's ability... a well thought out solution to enjoy every moment of walkies with you, yet still get that ball and take it home to his growing collection. Love it.
posted by
Kabu
on July 24, 2013 at 7:19 PM
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Ben is obviously very smart and he has you to love him and encourage him to learn but you do not have to convince me that animals reason... specially dogs and yes, cats. PErhaps its because they spend so much time with us... or maybe they have evolved to be more like us... but I have no doubt they do learn and reason and understand us better than other humans sometimes. I know my doggie knows when I need a "hug" and when I rather be left alone but if I am in one of my moods and want to be alone too much he will come and MAKE me smile and play with him... He does everything a huan friend would do except talk :-) and sometimes I think he does that too because he gives inflections to his voice ( bark actually ) that convey what he wants to say loll... I am not crazy... or am I 
... well regardless if I am or not... Ben is a very special doggie :-) and so is my DJ xoxoxo
posted by
Sinome
on July 24, 2013 at 7:04 PM
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posted by
Dr_JPT
on July 24, 2013 at 6:15 PM
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Of course Ben listened and knew exactly what he was doing! And your comparison was probably perfect! Yes, a two or three-year-old would have ignored you and tried to pick that ball up, or caused a scene if you stopped them! Hmmm . . . owning a dog or having a kid? Choices, choices . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on July 24, 2013 at 2:14 PM
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Hmmm - when they say that a dog ages 7 years for every year of a human, do they mean just physically or mentally too? Ben would then be what age? Old enough to reason maybe?
posted by
adnohr
on July 24, 2013 at 1:52 PM
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Well Ben is intelligent, perhaps another time you could get someone to place a ball in a similar position and then on the way back deliberately avoid the ball and see what Ben's reaction is. He could either give a little cry of annoyance or chuckle and think what do I care. No that might be a bit mean,that's the trouble with humans.
posted by
C_C_T
on July 24, 2013 at 1:05 PM
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That is interesting what he is able to remember.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on July 24, 2013 at 11:18 AM
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Nautikos
öBen’s new variation of tennis is cool in the woods Naut. BC-A, Bill’s R®st
posted by
BC-A
on July 24, 2013 at 10:22 AM
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I believe the wiser the master, the wiser the doggie.
People who just yell at their dogs, or treat them like babies, do the doggie quite a disservice.
posted by
TAPS.
on July 24, 2013 at 9:41 AM
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Here is what I think...
I think Ben is a genius... maybe a reincarnated Einstein or Tesla perhaps.. of course.. you have to believe.. for that to be true..
posted by
Blue_feathers
on July 24, 2013 at 9:06 AM
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There's a reason or a dozen reasons why dogs
have become so close to humans - it's amazing how wise they are and how healing they can be to one who's lost. One of the great collaborations of all time. :)
posted by
Pat_B
on July 24, 2013 at 9:01 AM
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There's a reason dogs are so valuable to
posted by
Pat_B
on July 24, 2013 at 8:59 AM
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