Dogs just don’t get the action of finger pointing. I’m standing there, in a public space, with finger extended, “what’s that?! That. There, Froy*. No. There!!”
Sure, it’s higher order cognition but what I don’t understand is why it takes me so long to give up. He’s snuffling around, looking up at me through shaggy fur-covered eyes, humouring me by pretending to look around – but never in the right direction.
“Where’s your ball?! It’s there! Look where I’m pointing…” He looks at my other hand, my feet, the passing car. The ball sits idle. I can go on like this for quite a while. Changing the emphasis. Waggling my finger a little to accentuate my indicator. I take pride in being a patient person. Patience is definitely a virtue. But perhaps patience is a virtue with limited logic and no shame.
* Froy: Ben’s non-responsive nic name, a combination of Fluffy and [Good] Boy with an ‘r’ because he’s a dog and dogs speak in ‘r’ noises. I’m more likely to call him this when being supportive. He’s a labradoodle.
barelypoppins 
Rood rog!
Haa! Indeed.
My cats do the same thing, but I will persevere, I mean I can’t be the only one trained in the house.
Yes, I hear that cats are even more persistant at ‘not understanding’ the point.
Neither do toddlers.
I know (sigh), I just had that experience too. That’s where most of my patience is being expended.
Too cute!
You make me laugh. Thank you so much for writing well and looking at things with humor. It’s a rare combination.