<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt;color:#000000;"><DIV>Dear Gallagher,</DIV>
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<DIV>I have perfected a similar technique, which I recommend to all houndies who, like myself, have inconsiderately not been provided with bells to ring. I knock on the door whenever I want something. Well, to be perfectly accurate, I knock on whatever hard vertical surface is nearby (doors or walls both work). I sidle up to said vertical surface and start thumping my tail loudly against the surface. The first few times I did this, my slaves ran to the front door to see who was there. After that, they discovered it was I doing the knocking. I continue to knock until my desires are satisfied. This works well in the middle of the night when the water bowl is empty or I wish to go out (although I have a doggie door, I prefer to go out accompanied as I do not like the dark). The slaves have tried to say "Shhh" and ignore me, but I am a basset hound and can easily outlast them, knocking for a few minutes, then stopping, then knocking again, etc. until they
despair of getting sleep and do my bidding. Silly slaves. Dad sleeps through most things, but mom does not, so she is my primary target. Although I think that the Szaton hounds are perfecting a similar system with gakking as their noise choice, I recommend thumping as it involves no discomfort other than a slightly bruised tail if there has been a night when the slave(s) have been particularly recalcitrant and the noise level and frequency of knocking has required increased levels. Semper fido, all. Perhaps I will ask for bells for my birthday in March. Bo, CICPBF</DIV></div><br>
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