Dogs Versus Silence

What is it about silence that makes dogs want to make noise?  What is it about silence that sits well with cats, but  causes dogs to listen intently, like Super Dog - because they want to hear something they can bark at.  And then silence no more.

Do you think your dog is sleeping?  No, he is concentrating.... listening carefully to sounds near and far.  Could that rustling in the trees be barkworthy? Is that faint faraway echo the bark of a distant dog?

Of course to some dogs, anything (and nothing) is barkworthy.  Some dogs bark because they can.  Kumquat is one of those.  He barks loudly, and often.  Sometimes he has a reason, but often not. 

In contrast, I have heard Sneaky Squirrel bark exactly once the entire time I have known him.  One single, tiny solitary pipsqueak bark.  Something was definitely barkworthy that day, I just wish I knew what it was.