When it comes to communication, remember that design is everything

MY next-door neighbour has Pomeranians.

Now, a Pomeranian is a particularly yappy breed of dog with a sense of its own entitlement, power, and influence that goes beyond the normal.

That its bark is worse than its bite is only because it never stops barking long enough to sink its teeth in anything other than its dinner. A Pom will allow you to pet it but reserves the right to be permanently pissed off and to express itself with the volume button turned way up. No Pomeranian has ever had an unexpressed thought.