Dog Names

Raoul’s Two Cents: August 15, 2025

Animal Experiment

Have you seen those amazing animal videos of lions, donkeys, squirrels, deer, pigs, crocodiles, elephants, birds and whales who have uncanny relationships with their humans? I never knew animals were so smart. Did Noah speak all their languages? Can we still do that?

Since then I’ve been trying to communicate with animals on a deeper level and, fortunately, I have our dogs to experiment with and I think I’m succeeding. After they do their “business,” I know they are saying: “There! I did it! I pooped! Don’t I deserve a treat for that?” When I dress up and prepare to leave, I recognize their excitement: “Where are we going Dada? Do I need to fix my hair?” When I am eating, they settle below and lick my feet saying “Don’t forget me! I’ll just wait down here for my share of that meat.” When I take them out for a walk, their radar ears spring up for signs of danger — “Watch out! Stranger at 10 o’clock!”

Speaking with domesticated pets is common. I want to “go where no man has gone before.” So now I’m looking at lizards, turtle doves and hummingbirds for friendship in the garden. One time, a black butterfly hovered around us in the garden. It followed us as we walked. It almost landed on my shoulders. Was it trying to communicate? Looking up, gathered on the roof above us was a murder of crows clucking to each other like construction workers with hard hats. I knew they were talking about us. We bonded by just staring at each other.

One day, a fly followed us inside the house. Instinctively, I picked up my fly swatter and tried to pin it down but it was too quick for me. Then it landed on the windowsill. I remembered those animal videos. Could this be the moment I commune with God’s creature? I bent down to get a closer look. Surprisingly, it didn’t fly away. Was this little fellow trying to communicate with me? Is he a reincarnation of someone I know? “Uncle Fred, is that you?”

The poor thing started to rub its hands together as if in prayer. “Hello Uncle Fred! Don’t be afraid. Do you want to be friends?” Suddenly, its eyes started to jerk and its friendly gaze turned hideous. i swear it grew horns. It rubbed its devilish hands and let out a maniacal laughter: “Nya ha ha! I’m going to spread my poison in your home. I’ll contaminate your water! Where’s your leftover food? I need to share some of this dog dung I collected. Nya ha haaaa!”

SMACK! I flattened that little varmint like a pancake. End of experiment!

I guess we have to draw the line somewhere. Some critters were never meant to be friends. Besides, I never liked Uncle Fred anyway.

TGIF people!

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Quotes of the Week

“Animals don’t hate and we’re supposed to be better than them.” — Elvis Presley

“They may not be as intelligent as us, but they certainly know pain, fear, loneliness and love. They too can suffer, and they too can be happy.” — Peter Singer

“The animal world shows us the potentials we can unfold. But to learn from them, we must first learn to speak with them.” — Ted Andrews

“People are destined to die once and then face judgment.” — Hebrews 9:27 is proof that there’s no reincarnation

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, California

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Frank of Modesto, California

Thanks to Mary of Rhode Island

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

Thanks to Norm of Encino, CA

I found these:

Something to improve your vocabulary:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

Got any good jokes? Come share it with rest of us!

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