ATH conversation with Claire D's Noni

Hello @claire-drouault,
Since when I connected with Buffy I felt like other animals in your household wanted to chat, so I came back to see who raises hand today. Noni did.

She seems like a nervous dog. I see her shaking and barking a lot, but then she shows me a curiosity of her pawing an insect without nervousness. Curious but jumps back when it moves like cat. I see her barking at a black thing. About a rabbit size but not a rabbit. Does this ring a bell?

As I continue to connect with her, she started to feel more comfortable. Is she a type of dog that is nervous about people she first sees but warms up as she gets used to them. While she started to feel comfortable, she wasn’t fully relaxed to open up to a full on conversation. Maybe I’ll come back to her later when she is a bit relaxed…

Thanks,
Chigusa

Hi Chigusa!

Thank you for contacting Noni. You are right about her being curious. She was always interested in everything and loved to paw at frogs to make them hop, I’m not sure about the rabbit-sized black animal. She has chickens but none are black and she is very good about ignoring them. Squirrels are way too fast for her. She does have a black Labrador sister but she’s way bigger than a rabbit. One possible explanation could be that since she is almost blind now the black animal might be as much a mystery to her as to us. She could be just guessing. Her advancing age could explain the tension or nervousness you felt. She is a brave little dog but, when I saw her at the farm on Christmas Day, she seemed almost detached and very quiet. I was told she hasn’t been herself for some time now. It felt almost like she was weaning herself from the life she loves. I doubt she meant to be withholding with you. She probably felt a little lost and confused but I’m sure she appreciated the attention. Thanks again Chigusa.

Hello Claire, I connected with Noni today. Thank you for allowing her to be one of our animal teachers. My general impression of Noni is that she’s a doll baby. She like laying on her back for belly rubs. She’s a bit stiff at times. Likes to prance around. Likes her food, but doesn’t like to share it. Will stand on her back legs to get treats.
I introduced myself, and asked if I could talk with her. N: Why, of course! S; Thank you, how are you? N: I’m good, I’m always good! S: Awesome, what would you like to share with me? N: I’m a happy dog. we all get along, most of the time! i like being here with other animals. S: That’s great. What is your favorite thing to do? N: I like resting on the couch and just watching what goes on around me. S: That sounds nice. What do you have to teach me? N: You are doing well, just relax and take it one day at a time. Stay in your heart, and not your head. You have this ability, but can get in your own way. S: I understand, thank you so much. Is there anything I can help you understand? N: I don’t know, I’ve never been asked that before. How do birds fly? S: Interesting. God gave them wings instead of 4 legs, and they use the wings too fly with. N: I see, so each species can do different things? S: Yes Noni, you’re right! What is your favorite toy? N: I like the Frisbee! S: Oh, how neat. Noni, thank you for talking with me. N: Oh, you’re welcome!

3/21/19: Nono says things are not as they seem and I asked how so. “Leaders are followers and followers are leaders.” I feel that she is playful but also heard a small howl like a brief to the point aggressive correction to another animal, as needed. I see Noni as a wise elder type, and possessing the qualities of a professor. She told me to use my nose to decide. I smelled coffee and she said less is more and to make the less with strength and bite. hmmm. She is a philosopher. She says smelling is a feeling. She said beware and be aware of sensitivities. She definitely emphasized the importance of the sense of smell. I asked her what her favorite toy was and she showed me a leash. She says she likes meaty and dry treats. I saw an image and sensed those hamburger type treats that are no longer sold, that I know of. I don’t know how else to describe. I saw milkbones. She loves to run around. She protects herself strongly and loves gently. She is not submissive unless feels slightest threatening feeling from humans or animals. Sometimes she is sad due to the loss of a companion but she says she feels peacefulness and at times, stoic.

Hi Claire,
Thank you for offering Noni as an animal teacher.
I get the sense that Noni isn’t a diva. I also get the sense that Noni is very caring of others and wants them to be okay. I also get the sense that she can sometimes be like, “You want me to do what?,” when it’s something she doesn’t want to do. Another sense I get of Noni is that she very sweet and at times can be a little snippy and get a little scared if there are hands coming to pet her and she gets startled or doesn’t feel comfortable with the person.

While connecting with her I got distracted about thinking about something the hygenist I saw yesterday told me. I told Noni I had some periodontal issues (things are looking up now, thankfully :-)). Noni said she understood because she’s had some dental issues in the past herself.

She said she’s a very understanding girl 🙂 She said she is a good listener and that you talk to her about your problems/concerns/uncertainties sometimes, Claire, and she listens. She said she can advise, too, you just have to be open.

She said she’s older now, but not real old, but still isn’t big on playing. She said instead she enjoys being pampered. She said she likes being groomed and when people “oooooh! and ahhhh!” over her and compliment her and call her nice things.

She said she also enjoys mornings and evening with you when you’re relaxing in something comfortable and sometimes have a blanket on you that maybe you share with her while sitting on the couch or a reclining chair or reclining couch with cozy slippers while you, Claire, drink hot coffee.

I asked Noni if she’d like to talk about anything else. She said, “No, that’ll do it,” (for now). I told her we’d talk again. She liked that. I gave her a pet on the head and told her to have a great weekend. She said the same. She also told me to tell you to not worry about it and that it’ll be okay.

Noni is such a sweet girl. Give her a pet for me in person 🙂