Barking, More or Less

In the New Year, folks make resolutions. They want to do better. I noticed in some advice columns resolution has been replaced with intention. I like this. To resolve is to commit. With force. Hard, cold...Consider Intend to. Means will try, aim at...soft, warm.

Official Definitions

Resolution
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resolution
Intention
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intention

Our New Year's intentions may involve our interactions with and care of our pets. In the pet world there are slogans. One seen often is "Bark less, wag more" and the feline inclusive "Bark less, purr more."
Not sure who created these so I cannot give proper attribution.
A philosophy. A mantra. A resolution? An intention? Reverse anthropomorphism.

Liam has not been successful at the bark part, but has maintained the wag part. I see myself as a wagger who internalizes her bark to the point of self destruction. However, when drinking wine with hubby on  Saturday nights I may chat a bit more and at a greater rate of speed. I will go from wagging to woofing and sometimes to growling. A civilized proper growl. Not whining, it is  wining...

DADDY PAUL AND LIAM

This happened on a recent Saturday night. I had been commenting and announcing and opining.  Liam was listening, sort of. He and Paul on the other end of the couch. Paul's side. Hours went by without a reply to my ongoing commentary. From either of them. See above photo. Notice the distance they are from me. I would be just off to the right...out of range.

RHETORICAL LISTENING

I turned to Paul and said in a wine infused tone that I would like a reply, every now and then. His response was the same as it always has been "I thought your were speaking rhetorically" I must always speak as if giving a speech if Paul believes an answer is not expected. I did not reply.  He gathered Liam closer. Of course, he expected no answer and did not want a reply. He and Liam continued their bromance. I gathered up my mobiles, the papers, my books and my wine and stormed off to the woman cave. I heard the channel being changed and the football game on. I was not missed.

The next day on our Sunday trip to Starbucks I begin my morning chatter. Every time I say something Paul says yeah or really or okay or I see. On the 5 minute trip he must have used these words every 30 seconds. Paul is answering my rhetorical questions.
Do I really talk incessantly? Am I a non-stop barker?

Rhetorical questions...

How in the world can the boys stand it? 

My New Year's intention is to bark less. Purr more. Wag more. I have begun. Every time I feel a remark emerging I say "Shut up Carol" in my head...I am attempting to reduce my talk to normal levels. This would probably happen if I reduced my Saturday wine intake but I have no intention of doing that.
If I feel bloviation coming on I will find others to bark to. Like passersby.

Woof Woof