HOW SMART IS MAXINE ? ? ?

This is Maxine Vespucci Pierini - really my daughter's best friend but Maxine loves me too, I take very good care of her and she lives with me through thick and thin in Florence Italy.

Maxine is an American Golden Retriever and IMHO she talks and understands and remembers everything. Sometimes she doesn't immediately react to a phrase or a command but that's her choice. It's not that she doesn't understand, she just makes believe or is thinking of something else! How many phrases or words or commands can a Golden Retriever learn in a lifetime? Maxine is now 9 years old so she knows a lot of human words. Here is a list:
COME - GO - GO OUT - WAIT - STOP - STAY - SIT - DOWN - NO - GET UP - EAT -
DRINK WATER
EAT YOUR DINNER
EAT YOUR FOOD
SPECIAL (extra good dinner with carrots and olive oil)
YOU CAN SAY HELLO (permission to visit another dog or person)
GO TO THE PARK
GET YOUR BALL - WHERE'S YOUR BALL?
HURRY UP (crossing the street)
CUT IT OUT (and she stops)
THE KIDS ARE COMING
MOMMY ELENA IS COMING
WHERE'S MOMMY'S CAR?
LET'S GO TO THE PARK
IT'S OKAY (and she goes near another person to greet)
LET'S GO OUT - DO YOU WANT TO GO OUT ?
LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL (as we both look into a colorful store window or botanical gardens)
ARE YOU READY?
WHERE'S YOUR LEASH?
THIS WAY (and Max changes directions walking)
WHO'S THAT? (ringing the doorbell)
HELLO (and she looks for someone arriving)
LET'S GET BRUSHED (and she goes on the terrace)
OPEN THE DOOR (and she opens the swaying hallway doors)
SHAKE HANDS (she actually hates giving you her paw . but if she wants something she will)
WANT SOME PIZZA?
STAY HOME NOW, MOMMY WILL BE BACK SOON (then she knows I go out without her)
WHO'S THERE? (when someone is near the door, she goes and listens)
BIRDIE ( I've seen her kill one on the spot)
CAT (she loves to chase cats . . and squirrels)
WHO'S THAT MAX ? WHAT'S THAT MAX ? (puts her on the alert)
DON'T GO NEAR (a small child, someone who's afraid of dogs)
NIGHTIE NIGHT (she gets her bed and pillow to go to sleep)
GOODBYE (time for nightie night, when AOL closes off)
WHERE'S YOUR DUCKIE ?
WHERE'S YOUR PILLOW ?
DO PIPI (and she does it immediately)
DO POO POO
TOO HOT MAX (then she comes inside off the sunny terrace)
PHOTO MAX (and she sits still to pose for a photo)

WORKING WITH ANOTHER YOUTH CHOIR

I studied together with another Youth Choir this week, it was great fun. Kids were very nice, they came to Reggello from Alessandria, their Director and his wife and son were also very sweet and respectful people. The kids have a lot to learn, mostly they need to Hear a singer, as I was singing with them they were imitating me, already sounding better. And I am NOT a singer, but I sing and I still have a nice voice. These kids study NO instrument, so that makes things very difficult indeed, they do very well. But they need to understand by Hearing and Listening what is beautiful music, what is a good sound, and how to obtain it. They were so enthusiastic. So now again I consider myself very lucky and blessed to have my talent and to have created my lovely sounding choirs thru the years.
We especially worked with my MAGIC MUSIC CARDS . . so much fun . . the kids (adolescents) really enjoyed them and enjoyed singing the same exercizes repeatedly. Their musical memories need to be increased. Yes they were enthusiastic because they have had very little exposure to music in general, they are thirsty for it, thirsty for the new experience and good sounds, but also interested in the form and technical content of pieces, something that my choir kids could care less about. My choir kids have become so used to things that now they study at the last moment. Not to talk about the Octet that doesn't study at all (with a few exceptions). The Gaiamusica choral group did a retreat at Casa Cares in Reggello, a beautiful Tuscan Villa with their own farm products, their own yoghurt production etc. The owners are a Swiss couple from the Waldesian church. Very nice people, hard workers.