I can remember clearly, these days I was quarantined in my apartment with my parents, since there is a COVID-19 wave in my city, and all the people suffered.
And since I was forced to stay at home for almost a month (actually even longer), lots of stress built up in my body… And the quarantine life made me start wondering about the relationship between humans and nature.
Since I was so boring these days, I began to take a walk downstairs every morning, it was not surprising that many people feel the same and decide to walk downstairs, we all tried to release the pressure. And this actually worked. Each time when people saying hello to me, I did feel better. By the conversation that took place between us I can feel that I’m not the only person in the world, there were still people around me! This is very important to me, cause it makes me feel that I still got connections to the real world, and this is a feeling that online communication can not provide me.
And this is the day I met 笨笨 (BenBen), a three-year old Giant Poodle.
BenBen is such a friendly lady, when we first met, I saw her owner took her in the elevator, and I was shocked caused BenBen is too big in size (also I’m a little afraid of dogs), I guess I’m not very kind and might be a little rude in my voice, but BenBen just sniffed my ankle and gently walked away. After that, I feel she is so different and unique.
Actually, during these days, I’m not always in a good mood. First, I don’t know how long do I need to stay home and how many COVID-19 tests do I have to take; also, I’m worried about my parents cause they have to go out for work and this is quite dangerous at that time. So, I decide to spend more time with animals and plants rather than people ( cause some time people around your can deliver their anxiety to you).
Due to all the reasons above, I choose BenBen, I decided to make friend with her, and I was planning to learn how to see the world from her point of view. Also, see how different can it be.
So, I got the idea of recording BenBen’s bark. I believe that understanding her language can help me know her better.
It took me a long time for recording her voice, cause BenBen is a quiet lady and almost never bark at people. So, when I talking to her and try to collect her voices, she always looking at me with a puzzled face. (Just like the photo below:) )
And during my observation, I was touched by BenBen. Because there are a lot of naughty children in our community, and some times they would play a trick on her… I would say if I was BenBen I will be really mad at those children, but BenBen never does. She’s always very kind and never angry. What a lovely dog!
By analyzing BenBen’s voices above, I can tell that BenBen must be grown up in love and care, cause the environment can’t affect her too much, and she’s always nice to people, kind and very polite. The funny part is the one she reacting to herself, it seems like she’ not that satisfy with her voice lol.
And it’s very interesting for me to have a chance to learn her barks, it’s totally different from people, much more innocent and lovely, with a pure heart.