When animals alert us

I always stop and appreciate the little moments when my pets prove to have a stronger sixth sense than me. Or simply put, better hearing. Last night my cat alerted me to the fact my kitchen had flooded. Fun stuff on a Friday night.

I was only a few rooms away but did not hear the slow rising of water up through the kitchen sink, and then slowly down through all of the cabinets and drawers. One of the benefits of owning a 125 yr old house: 125 yr old drain pipes. The soapy water from the second floor shower had ended up entirely in my kitchen.

My cat only visits the first floor in the evenings when scary "people noises" have subsided. She ventured down the steps with the intention of receiving a few scratches from me, but perked up her ears and ran into the kitchen. It was enough to make me follow. And luckily I did, although my curse words sent her running back up to the safety of my second floor bed.

In the past I've had my dog warn me I was about to walk him without any plastic bags, my cat tell me there was a bird in the house, my dog warn me the cat was about to climb the Christmas tree, and other little details that have helped my days be a little easier.

What type of things do your pets alert you to?

Comments

[Linda Dwyer]

One night I went out to start my pool, I always take the dogs out with me for their final "out" of the night, this night I forgot one of them outside. Major stupid attack on my part. The cat wouldn't settle down, kept howling and jumping on me, finally I got out of bed to see what his problem was and he jumped on the loveseat and looked out the window still hollering, I looked out and sure enough there was the dog just sitting on the step waiting for me to let her in.

[Vesta]

Like you, my apartment flooded from the kitchen... my dog came to the rescue barking and letting me know what had happened. She was going crazy, running back and forth from the kitchen to the living room. I got up to see what the fuss was all about, and sure enough, water was coming through the walls from upstairs. Dogs are great.

[Megan]

Late one evening a few years ago, I was in my parents living room watching TV. I had brought my new kitten Smokey to play with my parents new puppy Bandit (Yes, Smokey and the Bandit!). Bandit began to pace to and from the kitchen. I ignored him thinking he was just working off some energy. Then he started barking at me and then running back to the kitchen. I finally got up and followed and found my Smokey had wrapped herself up in a plastic grocery bag. It had tightened around her next, cutting off her breathing and more than likely would have choked her to death if Bandit hadn't come to her rescue. He's been my special little man ever since!

[Vesta]

Seems like most tragedies happen in the kitchen. Coincedence?