The Case of the Purloined Ice Cube

by Lonie Ward
This story first appeared in the June 1992 issue of Kerry Klips.

Can dogs talk? This was the topic of conversation one relaxing evening as Doug and I sipped drinks in the living room, unwinding from a hectic day. That was the topic of a delightful softbound children's book I had just received from my friend Mary Shields in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mary was the first woman to complete the 1,049-mile Iditarod sled dog race. That was back in 1974, and although she came in 22nd place, it was an accomplishment that was unheard of at that time. Well, her dogs talk to her. How about Hawkes?

Hawkes, our Champion Kerry who is now enjoying a life of leisure, sat on the couch next to Doug, turning his head at the conversation, no doubt becoming bored listening to us talk about whether dogs talk.

It wasn't long before we noticed Hawkes staring intently at his Master's rattling glass. Obviously, he was saying, "I desire an ice cube now, please." As Doug's hand reached into the glass, withdrawing the object of said demand, Hawkes opened his mouth for the frozen treat to be dropped in. (Tell us we're not well trained!)

After noisily crunching what was once a hardened (Scotch-flavored) cube into more digestible bits, he performed the identical command on me. In a sitting position by my side, he stared directly and unflinchingly into my face, posing like a furry marble statue, he waited. I pretended that I was unaware of the directive, so I ignored him. Soon, a wet, black nose nudged my knee, then the piercing eyes, partially hidden behind his lush whiskers, scrutinized me without mercy.

It's difficult to keep a straight face under said conditions, but I tried. Suddenly, without warning, his patience lost, a paw was raised, discreetly tapping my glass, though he never moved from his stationary position. I had to weaken. After all, I was being "spoken" to by my beloved Kerry Blue!

This same scenario is repeated whenever ice cubes are present, or the freezer door is opened. Yes. Hawkes can "talk." And there is no question about what he is saying!

But this is just one example of how Hawkes talks. He also makes us very aware that we are to take him along when we leave the house. We tried the evasive tactic of spelling out our intentions, known as "talking over his head," but that has long since cased to be effective. His "trick" in this instance is to place his body lengthwise between a door or by the stairs, thus blocking any exit we might be using to depart. More than once, he's been taken along, just because he has "asked" so sweetly!

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