"They read minds, and they understand all "languages." "

I COMPLETELY agree with this. I will THINK of getting the vacumn and Calvin is in the closet! He'll be sleeping on his condo and I'll think of pulling out the monster and he will wake and look at me like "You wouldn't would you?" Then he scampers off!
Verbally he knows:
Come here (he knows when I say it, I mean business so he usually does)
No uppies
Flippa flip? (which causes him to flip on his back and roll back and forth for tummy rubs)
Kibble?
Treats?
What's that? (which he knows means there's a squirly squirl on the patio)

I also agree they have "selective" hearing. LOL!