🎯 “We Got La Vilaine Mouche!” — A Royal Button Tantrum at CCR

There are moments in a dog's life that change everything.

Yesterday, at the Canine Communication Research HQ, one such moment unfolded. A moment filled with buzzing tension, swift justice, and a flurry of button-smashing joy. 🎉

It all began innocently enough: just Pretty and her dad (me) chilling in the living room. Coco was bathing. The house was peaceful. Or… it would have been if it weren’t for a most unwelcome visitor: a tiny orange stinging fly.

Yes, the infamous "Vilaine Mouche".

This villainous insect had been buzzing around, teasing Pretty with agile swoops, landing, evading, taunting — and me too, with what I swear was sarcastic speed. She knew what she was doing.

Now, Pretty and I have an agreement: if I say "Ah, la vilaine mouche!" — she knows. That’s our code. This is war.

Pretty had already tried two elegant air-clap bites (Springer Spaniel style, of course), but the fly was too quick. Then, while I was half-lounging startup-style on the couch and Pretty was resting beneath me, fate struck…

The fly landed on my arm.

Reflex took over. CLAP. Loud. Swift. Final.

Pretty leapt up, stunned. Her eyes screamed: “What the woof was THAT? Are you mad at ME?! I didn’t touch the cushions, I swear!”. (Pretty hates it when I get upset)

I scanned the floor. No fly. Pretty was still staring, half-offended, half-worried. I reassured her: “No no, ma douce, c’est la vilaine mouche…”

Still unconvinced.

Then I noticed… a tiny black dot on her fur. Suspicion returned: “You want me to turn? Why? What did I do this time?”

I waved my hand gently over her side. And just like that, the motionless fly dropped to the ground.

“Pretty! On a eu la vilaine mouche!! Regarde!!”

Pretty stared… blinked… then saw it.

It clicked.

I swear her eyes doubled in size. “Wait… YOU got it?! YOU are the Mouche Hunter?! OMG!”

Instant shift. From suspicion to absolute admiration. The hunter in her awoke, bloodlines blazing. You could practically hear the ghost of a Renaissance king whisper: “This one is worthy.”

And then… it happened.

A joy explosion.

Pretty sprinted to the button board and launched into what can only be described as a full-blown button joy tantrum. One button after another:

• “LET’S GO TO THE KITCHEN!” 🍗

• “DAD!” ❤️

• “I LOVE YOU DAD!” 💖

• “ENCORE!” 🎉

• (and probably “Pipi-Kakou” just for flair)

It was pure celebration.

When things settled, and after her emotional button ballet, I honored the most reasonable of her joyful requests — “On va à la cuisine” — and off we went, tail wagging, smiles beaming, and me secretly proud of my fly-swatting ninja skills.

🐾 Post-Mouche Reflection:

Pretty didn’t just express joy. She expressed relief, recognition, and a touch of awe at her human’s surprising predator prowess.

Image: Pretty resting after the whole experience unfolded...

This, dear readers, is what Canine Communication is all about: not just requests and needs, but shared experiences, emotions, inside jokes, victories — and sometimes even interspecies revenge against the buzzing beasts of summer.

Let this be a tale to inspire button boards everywhere:

One fly. One paw. One dad. One unforgettable “Je t’aime papa.”

🪰❤️🎯