I was doing research on speech patterns for children and I ran across some videos that had a good sampling of typical kids just chatting away at various things. These videos had very low hits–probably researchers, or parents who are wondering how their children compare. My sister had language delay. It didn't affect her long term. It turned out that I was doing such a good job of talking for her (I was quite the little chatterbox) and interpreting her baby talk/anticipating her needs that she didn't really need to talk until I shut up enough to give her time to get a word or two in. For all of you writers out there who write intuitive characters who pick up on people's thoughts, emotions, etc. take note. I don't know if I was trying to avoid crying/whining/whatever or if I was just overly helpful, but that's what happened. As we got older I stopped doing that (as much) but I still catch myself trying to figure out what's going on in people's heads and anticipating their needs. I feel kinda bad about it, but I think the reason I'm doing it less now is not because I'm giving them space but because I'm lazier now.
Anyway, listening to people voice/speech samples made me briefly more aware of my animals and how they communicate vocally. And it's been fun.
I have three cats (of course I have cats. I'm a writer!) and I can tell all their voices apart, though two of them are similar siamese-type 'talkers.' The mold-point siamese (she really does look moldy, poor thing–I think technically she's a dilute calico with some siamese tendencies) makes tons of different sounds, and tries different ones out pretty much at random at my bedroom door early in the morning to get me to do stuff like pet her, refill the food bowl, refresh the water, let her outside, or sit on the stool in the kitchen so she can preen on my knees or sit on my shoulders. The tuxedo kitty has the same range and capability but uses only two–the annoyed meow, and the low 'mow'. The neutered male makes only a kitten mew at last desperation when he can't get my attention any other way. He prefers to remain silent and bump up against me.
Their voices are part of who they are, character traits that define them as much as our personalities are expressed through our voices.
There are similar differences among the dogs. I may post about them next time. For now, it's back to work.