I recently heard about some new type of surgery that makes the de-barking painless...I think it was a laser surgery. Then again, it's a vague memory -- I could have dreamed it LOL.

I think it's sad when dogs have their vocal cords removed...Besides, what if there is a fire, and the dog tries to bark to wake his owner up but he can't? I always think about that when I think about a de-barked dog. Now he can't alert anyone. He must feel so inadequate.