Dog Chat: Communicating with Dogs

The neighbors got a new puppy last summer after the passing of their beloved Buddy (RIP) - Willie - Georgie and Bixby (RIP too).  I was just out with Shadow and the new dog, Lucky/Pokey (I am not sure what name he ended up with) was barking at the people leaving church.  He will get used to it just like the rest of the dogs in the neighborhood have, but today…he was barking a bark that let me know that he was concerned.  I like that.  It is good to know his tones, Shadow chimed in once or twice just in case.  She knew everything was okay.  I did not talk back with his barks today because these were clearly barks that he was protecting his family. 

I enjoy getting to know the neighbor dogs and hearing them talk.  Dogs have different barks for different things and getting to know the new dog's friendly versus worried bark is fun to me.  Something about listening to and talking with a dog is really peaceful to me.  I can just listen and almost hear what they are saying.  I am a dog person.  Shadow and I talk a lot, she is once again, the 14.75 year old -soon to be 105 year old in June.  Watch for it:  Juneo de Shadow in 2009, it is going to be a great celebration.