Oh Gull an Ozzy you guys are absolutely dreamy. And Murph, sweetie, nothing melts my heart like a Cairn smile.
Umm, Les, I am not sure about your theory. My first dog was without a doubt the smartest dog ever born (yes I am biased and exaggerating ), but I don't remember her ever doing the staring thing with me. Maybe she didn't want to waste her time communicating with a less intelligent life form (heehee). But she definitely knew my moods, wants, needs and behaved accordingly. Ginger on the other hand, definitely does the stare when she wants to convey something to me, and I would only label her as being of average intelligence (at best). And she is a very submissive dog, so it isn't a dominance thing.