This morning started out normal. My buddy and I took a walk, jumped in the car and went off to the office.   When we got to the office my buddy forgot to fill my water bowl. After the walk and the ride I was thirsty. So, I wagged my tail and whined a bit asking by buddy to fill it up. She just scolded me and said "I am busy, calm down" and went back to work. I could tell she wasn't listening to me.    I needed to drink some water so I turned up the nervous whining (the type of whining that annoys everyone around), wagged my tail, bowed my front paw and ended up with a howl/whine combination. She was on the phone and started to look at me like she was going to scold me again.   All of a sudden she looked at me and realized I was trying to communicate with her the best I could.   Then she calmed down, gave me a big pet and looked in my eyes and said, "What are you trying to tell me?"   Once again I did a nervous whine/howl and walked towards the bowl.   She saw it was empty, understood what I was asking and went and filled my water bowl.   When real thirsty water is so good!   After lapping up half the bowl, my buddy once again gave me a big pet and scratch behind the ears.   I have heard her say "active listening" is taking the time to really understand what is being said. Look them in the eye, really listen the message is, acknowledge you understand what someone is saying or in my case what a dog is saying!    I am glad my buddy tries to "actively listen."   Sigh, if only she could speak dog it would be so much easier.