My girlfriend laughs at the way I talk to my dog, this is not the first time people have found humor in how Lacey and I converse. My family talks about it in a offhand way, will even ask me to 'ask Lacey'.
I never thought about it much, but I suppose it is unusual. Matthew and I don't treat her as a person, we recognize that she is a dog, A pack animal that we took into our home to share our lives.

We jokingly have a plaque I painted that says "We do not own Lacey, She owns us." But I am afraid the joke is on us.

Lacey acts differently with my husband and with myself.
Although I disappear for two weeks in Lacey's life, I am home throughout the two weeks and Lacey is with me the whole time. We talk. We share snacks, and we lounge together and since the computer is on our bedroom, Lacey lays right beside me and gives her opinion to much of what I do.

Because of our schedules we seldom have company, but Lacey believes we invite 'people' for her entertainment. I would correct her but I am afraid she is so happy and delighted to share them with me, that I fail to tell her the truth.

Lacey knows even before I voice it when I am going to take her for a walk. This is quite surprising for me since our walks are random due to our schedules and she has a large fenced-in back yard in which to play.
I think it, and before I even slip into my sneakers, she is at the closet waiting for her leash. It shocks me every time.

Lacey is highly expressive and since she was very, very, annoyingly verbal, even as a pup, the two and a half years has brought it down to a series of 'lower conversations' where Lacey lets me know what she needs or is thinking in soft doggie noises. Sometimes she relates by stares from me to the water bowl or up at the 'snack' cupboard.
She also nudges me for more urgent needs, like the back door to be opened or a good back scratch.

But Lacey still barks hard and loud, for me to come see and let her know if I need to check on things. We have a large glass storm door that is opened more since winter has passed and Lacey keeps track of things for me.

Lacey: Woof!! Bark!! Bark!!
Me: It's Tilly baby, she lives next door. Remember? *waves to Tilly* Let's try and not bark at her tomorrow, okay?

Lacey: BARK! BARK!
Me: *from the kitchen* I know Lacey. *Lacey walks into the room and sits as I explain to her* That cat walks by just to let you know his kingdom is larger doesn't he? But don't worry, a larger kingdom means bigger worries. Your world is better.

Lacey: Ark! Arf! *turns into loud frenzied barking* Woof!WOOF!WOOF!
Me: *runs to door to watch a plastic bag float by on the wind* Well Lacey, thanks for keeping us safe, but that is just a bag. I know *pat her on the head* baby, it was all new to you.

Its all good.
That reminds me.
Matthew is getting a big screen TV soon, a 73 inch. We went to Best Buy to check it out again before he decides when the purchase will be made.

Matthew: This has the H-D that we are looking for and will look great with the Blue Ray.
Me: Yep Babe, thats why we purchased the Play station 3 player for Christmas.

Matthew: I hope it looks good in the room.
Me: Thats why we measured the room every day honey and since the room is oblong we sit far enough away we loose no viewing images.

Matthew: Oh look!! They put on Football!!
Me: We have a while before season starts love.

Oh well,
Maybe we treat her human after all.

But then Lacey is happy, Matthew is happy and I am happy.