Great piece. I talk to our dogs, and they talk back some. The most articulate one I ever had was a Border Collie named Tommy (1996-2009) who talked in whole sentences (telepathically). I'm not surprised Max, your Standard Poodle, was the same. I've read there is an ongoing debate about whether Border Collies or Standard Poodles have the higher IQ.

I have ghost-written several pieces for my Terrier-Chihuahua Jessie (see my Tales from the Dog Bed series from late 201) and today was feeling half-inspired to write a fourth piece for that series when reading this piece clinched it--I'm definitely writing it.