Dogs may be the only critters that smile, besides us. Their faces are SO expressive, mirrors of our expressions. They can look surprised, worried, curious, sad, joyful ... a whole vocabulary of emotions that you just don't see on other animal's faces (horses' maybe?). They are so amazing. They can eveen laugh - when they sneeze, that's laughter, joy. Don't they sneeze at you when you've been away? Sneeze back and see how surprised they look. That's, "oh hey, I didn't know you spoke Dog!" Do it again, you may get a dialog going.