the_language_of_canines raze when you hear two dogs barking at each other in passing, it may sound like they're arguing or trying to out-tough one another. in reality, they're often sharing a moment of agreement or bonding. example: a long, slim lab and a chihuahua are stretched out on a green couch. the lab wakes up the sleeping chihuahua and tries to encourage him to join him on a great adventure, because he's bored. he wants some excitement. maybe they could explore a museum or some other place dogs aren't supposed to be. the chihuahua isn't all that interested in tagging along. he just wants a hamburger. a car pulls into the driveway. there's a boxer panting in the passenger seat (breed of dog, not person who punches other people in the face). the boxer hears the word "hamburger", and the following conversation transpires: boxer: hamburger? chihuahua: hamburger! boxer: hamburger? chihuahua: hamburger! boxer: hamburger? chihuahua: hamburger! boxer: cheeseburger! the boxer, who has a thick bronx accent, removes a cheese-covered beef patty from his owner's hamburger bun and tosses it over to the chihuahua, stripping bare the heart of gold that beats beneath his short, smooth coat of hair. never mind that the parking lot looks like it belongs to a drive-through ice cream place, while the other two dogs haven't left the living room of a house that shouldn't be near enough for any of this to happen. in dreams, these things all make sense. the chihuahua stares at the gift of food for a second. then he pushes it away. it isn't what he's after. this cheese will not do. he lets the boxer know where his heart lies with one final cry of "HAMBURGER!" so, the next time you hear two dogs who don't know each other having a conversation, they may very well be talking about food. the only way to know for sure is to become fluent in their language. and the only time i can ever speak and understand the language of canines is when i'm sleeping. but it's a start. thanks, dreams, for doing the translating for me. (see also: more_things_learned_from_dreams) 130812 what's it to you? who go blather from