Sparkly's true story about the fictional imaginary dog

Sixth Sense.

I have a perfectly rational explanation, connected to my growing theory about autistic senses.

4D objects existing in 4D space are invisible to 3D objects, while 4D objects can see 3D objects, or through them, it's like looking through venetian mirror

But you can 'sense' them being there, if you are 3D

I love it, made my day. Missed going on here as couldn't access for a couple of days so only just seen the post. I have done the occasional thing in the past to see what people would do. I love that the dog seemed to believe you had a dog.

I would love to have the confidence to do something like that again and see people's reactions. I used to like watching those programmes where they do unusual things and film people's reactions.

The Emperor's new dog

Fantastic! A real lead and collar for a fictional imaginary dog. 

You can get leads and collars now, in case your dog runs away!

That dog: [does the look]

Sparkly: "Respect." [sheepishly fetches ] 

Yes, whenever I was semiconscious/REM. 

My experience of the false ball throw is eventually a look that suggests, "Do you seriously expect me to fall for that!" 

I remember throwing a ball for an aunt's dog, which was a poor throw. He looked at the ball, then at me as if to say, "That was pathetic! You can pick the ball up yourself and throw it again!" 

Yes, most dogs fall for that one (false ball throw)......and yet.....my perception is that, after a short while of "looking" for the ball, the dog normally then peers into the soul of the human with a look of "but why are you doing this - I don't understand YOUR motivation." whereas most humans seem to imagine that the "dumb" dog is confused by the missing ball.

A subtle distinction, but an important one.

PS....If you haven't noticed yet, people get me "started" on dogs at their peril, I can happily go on and on and on and on and on

Unknown said:

Neither was mad in that scenario, in my opinion.

Thank you for your diplomatic response Number. 

Perhaps it should be noted that when the real dog had stopped to have a good old sniff, it had been between lamp posts. 

The only occasions I have witnessed dogs come remotely close to 'falling for it' is when trying to give the impression that a dog toy or ball will be thrown in a different direction to the one the object is actually thrown in.

Anyway yes, it was all good fun that made an otherwise dull and boring walk entertaining.

All I can tell you is that my fictional imaginary dog was male. It may have possibly been a mischievous and somewhat scruffy-looking Jack Russell / Terrier cross-breed, or a Red Setter. 

By the time I'd arrived at the supermarket, I regret that I had forgotten all about the nameless, fictional imaginary dog. I was too focused on telling my son for the umpteenth time, "That dog knew!" 

Well, we only have Desmond's word for it that it had been an imaginary dog tugging at his blankets. 

Joking aside, I think Desmond's anecdote had been more recent hadn't it?

Gosh! You have a good memory, Desmond. I ended up searching for a video clip of that advert as I couldn't remember it. It looks so dated now.

AuTriker said:

Have you actually tried it with a dog?

Yes - quite a few.  I have found that dog behaviour (much like human behaviour) varies massively, depending on the individual concerned.  Some are wholly driven by what their noses tell them, others by what they can see move, others by what their human companions are "up to" etc.  There are only two generalisations that I can support in relation to dogs;

1. They are significantly more intelligent, intuitive, "knowing" and kind than most humans give them credit for.

2. They deserve better.

Unknown said:

I occasionally do that thing where I look up high at a building as if there is something interesting up there....general members of the public often look up in the same way, presumably for reasons of FOMO - I have never seen a dog fall for it !

Have you actually tried it with a dog? Because that is how animals without hands point. My cat does not understand human pointing, but does sometimes look where I look if I do it in a pointed manner, especially if it is actually at something. Like if I gave him a treat but he didn't notice where it went, I might point at it with my eyes and then he goes to look and finds it. (Their eyesight is optimised for hunting so they don't see a small unmoving close object very well).

Dogs being more social than cats I would expect them to be be quite sensitive to the idea of looking where others look, as it might be at prey or a threat. In fact animals probably do all tend to look where anyone looks if they do it in a manner suggesting it might be a threat. But dogs probably would if it might be prey or even just something that smells interesting.

Neither was mad in that scenario, in my opinion.

You had a good reason for doing what you were doing with the imaginary dog - it was entertaining for you and your son.

The dog had a good reason to stop and smell at the post........the dog would have been able to smell markers from an untold number of dogs - probably in the dozens, who would have "posted" at that location over the past few hours and days.

Never underestimate the ability and brains of a dog - nor indeed their absolute disinterest in our behaviours with imaginary dogs.

CONFESSION......I occasionally do that thing where I look up high at a building as if there is something interesting up there....general members of the public often look up in the same way, presumably for reasons of FOMO - I have never seen a dog fall for it !

You are a good & fun mum Sparkly !

I have questions. Was it a boy dog or a girl dog? Was it a specific kind? Where did you leave it? Tied to the railings outside Tesco? 

Wait a minute: Sparkly thinks a ghost dog into existence, and Desmond had an imaginary dog in his room tugging at his blankets. Or was it an undefined entity? Do the dates match up? Will we all be getting a visit? What have you created, Sparkly?! 

Love that story by the way. It’s a very you style of low key bonkers. 

Excellent story.

My first experience of an imaginary friend was a Heinz commercial around 1985/6 with a girl who brought in 'Eric'.