I got barked at…by Humans!  No seriously, they barked at me like I was a Squirrel!  I was enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon on my front lawn, while Mom searched the garden to see if any of the critters left her a strawberry or two.  That’s when I heard in the distance someone yell, “Pothole,” followed by it being repeated by several more people.  This odd chant was then followed by “Car!”  Intrigued, I rolled over and faced the road.  That’s when in the distance I saw their neon yellow outfits.  Peddling up the street was a bike team of about a dozen or more people.

It soon became obvious that the leader of their pack was warning the others about obstacles in the road.  As the pack leader for my family, I found this shouting to be quite admirable.  I’m always barking warnings to Mom and Dad.  Maybe I should train them like this team to repeat my alerts?  As they approached with another rousing cheer of “Pothole,” I decided I would help.  I started barking to warn them there was roadkill up ahead.  Sadly though I forgot that most Humans are not fluent in barking, and my offer to help backfired.  They started yelling, “Dog! Dog! Dog!” while pointing in my general direction!  Even Mom was confused by this response, and looked over to make sure I was still sitting in the yard next to her.

How rude!  Why would these Humans treat me like a threat?  That’s how you act toward a nefarious Squirrel or a menacing Cat, not a Dog!  I’d never yell, “Human! Human! Human!”  Besides, everyone knows it’s not polite to point!  Worst yet, they were so focused on me that the leader forgot to warn them about the roadkill, and those towards the back of the pack had to swerve to avoid it.   That’s the last time I help that bike team!