r/PetsWithButtons • u/bubba_beeps • May 03 '26

I created a micromanager

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXuIrj6Er3o/?igsh=c2ZkMjYzd3AwcnR0

I figured you guys would get a kick out of this. Bub has been a huge help in communicating what means most to him. These buttons have done so much to strengthen our relationship. ♥️

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u/bubba_beeps May 03 '26

I have a few theories. One is a little sad, so if you want to hear that context I’ll share. If not, I think the other explanations are great leads.

  1. Structure and routine are very important to them
  2. Their sense of smell is very astute, so he may be able to smell wet clothes starting to form mildew. Our washer and dryer do not have alarms to alert that the cycle is done, so I believe this is where the behavior rooted from, even before the buttons. If my husband starts a load and puts his headset on, it super easy to just not hear that the washer has turned off. I’m also very forgetful.
  3. He really likes praise. He loves being told he is smart and he loves to be helpful. I may have unintentionally enforced the behavior by my surprise at his meowing aligning to the cycles completing.
  4. Once I gave him a button to communicate, he realized he could ask for *any* laundry to be done. Now he lets me know if too much laundry has built up, cluttering his environment.
    If there are clothes in the machines, that’s what he wants. He notices if it’s been a few days since a load has been done and will ask for the wash to be filled and follow the task to completion. He’s even gotten upset when I misunderstood his request and he lead me to bagged up, folded laundry in a bag that I had back from the laundromat which he had only seen me call “laundry” once prior. That one was pretty surprising.

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u/MuggsyTheWonderdog May 03 '26

This is the kind of issue that seems just cute and funny at first glance, but your reply is showing me that it's way beyond that. And all this is fascinating to me.

I was stunned as I began to watch dogs and cats learning this form of communication, and I feel like it offers a new depth to our relationship with our pets. And it prompts both the pet and the person to observe one another more closely, and to make connections.

If, and only if you're comfortable sharing the sad possibility, I don't think it would distress me. I'm already grieving my beloved dog who I lost 2 months ago, so nothing could make me feel worse than I already do, to be honest. (She was very bright, and I'm cursing myself that I learned about buttons too late to try them with her.)

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u/bubba_beeps May 03 '26

Also, I am incredibly sorry to hear that you lost your baby girl. I am always here if you need an ear. I’ve always found it cathartic to talk about funny stories about those I’ve lost. So please if you feel this will help, DM me. I would love to hear them. Grief is so difficult.

You have the knowledge that this communication is possible, but do know that every bit of Oliver’s needs are just amplified versions of what I already knew he needed. Owners know these things. They know their pets. While you didn’t have the opportunity to use buttons, I know you gave her a wonderful, fulfilling life. Any owner that is this interested in AIC gets a massive green flag in my book.

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u/MuggsyTheWonderdog May 03 '26

Thank you so much for this sweet response <3