Off Switch

  Like most dog owners, we trained Charly as a puppy to respond to some hand signals – a snap for her to “sit”; a wave of the hand down for “off”; a flat hand held out and moved towards her for “wait”.  All of these accompanied the verbal commands.  When Charly lost her hearing, these gestures became very useful.  And more developed.  It’s surprising how many actions and touches we use to communicate with Charly in a day!

There are a few constants I use almost every morning.  In the kitchen before dawn, Charly sometimes vocalizes as breakfast is being served.  I have to put my finger to my lips as if to say “shush” while shaking my head – I don’t want her to wake everyone else up.  After she’s eaten and I’ve change out of pyjamas, a quick double-slap of my thigh for “follow me” moves us to the garage door.  In the garage while I lace my shoes, my index finger wag and overly furrowed brows indicate she should stop tearing parcels or stop licking soil from a plant awaiting care.  Sometimes I have to put my hands on my hips and scowl.  After our walk, she waits for the gentle double-tap on her bum to tell her she can go through the door and back inside the house.  

 

My favourite signal comes at day’s end.  Charly habitually goes outside on last time just before her bedtime.  She’s excellent at telling time, and routinely comes to myself or my spouse at around 8 pm or 8:30 at the latest.  She stares with a cocked head, or noses us.  After being taken outside, all of us in the family used to call it a night.  But, as my tween daughter morphs into a night owl, the three of us humans stay up later.  Charly doesn’t quite understand what is happening and she would prefer that we not stay up later.  (Frankly, I’m inclined to agree).  How do I explain to her that she should go to sleep?  I’m really not sure how this came to be:  I press her front chest gently but firmly with my four fingers – like a button.  And, Charly goes to her bed…switched off for the night…recharging for dawn.