I used to believe (sometimes still love to believe) that when Humans aren't around, animals speak real words, but decide not to speak in front of us to not freak us out. I would try to make a bond with my Dog that if she would say, "I love you" out loud, it would be our Little Secret.
A childhood belief about cats and dogs

others believed things like this
- I used to believe when I was a child ,
during xtmas time animals speak like humans after 12 pm— lan - I used to believe that my doll Kimberly was real and if I listened carefully, that I'd hear her speak!— Kristy
- I always hear Manic Street Preachers 'You Love Us' as 'You Love Arse'.— Lou
- I used to think that James Bond and all the other secret agents worked for MFI.— John C
- I used to believe that the B-52's song "Love Shack" was actually "Love Shark!"— Natalie
- I used to think the song "love the one you're with" was called "love the one, your win. — Glowworm