A plane flew over my parents’ house and Max, their dog, started barking and spinning in circles in the backyard (when he wasn’t barking and running laps around their pool).

Watching this Monday, I was thinking what my dad eventually said: "You see that? He is such a knucklehead."

I’d probably go with "quirky." But so is every dog I’ve met, on some level. A friend’s dog holds one back leg straight out when you pet him. My dog Penny is now spitting out treats until she’s offered the flavor she wants. And Max? He had to be lured inside from his plane-watching by my dad crinkling an empty pop can. He’s obsessed with the sound and stares lovingly at the trash compactor when it runs.

Of course, some dogs are more quirky than others. Penny, my social angel, sat on Chris’ friend’s lap and doled out kisses while Darcy – our newer, skittish dog – paced outside, barked and leeeeaned (you should see those back legs extend) inside as far as she could to pass judgment before repeating the whole process. What?!

I don’t get it. But I like it. We all have our Things – even dogs, and that’s pretty entertaining. What strange quirk does your dog have?

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