Another body language sign to look for is in ears. When a dog's ears are back and flat against their skull, this can mean one of two things: 1) If accompanied by a full-body tail wag, they're happy to see you, or 2) if coupled with their tail between their legs, they're afraid.

One animal behavior that many folks despise is chewing and destruction of personal belongings. This, too is animal speech. What most humans don't know is that aside from destruction of personal property, dogs tend to chew things from their people owners, whom they like most. Yes, I said, "whom they like most." Dogs are fairly picky when it comes to chewing shoes, clothing, etc. When there are more persons in a household, dogs will specifically seek out personal items of people that they consider to be their master. Although this is not nicest trait of animals, just remember that when you're scolding Rex that he only did it because he loves you.

In closing, dogs are most telepathic lifeforms on earth. When you feel sad, they feel sad with you. When you are angry, they try to disolve situation with their loving and pawing. When you're happy, they feel your happiness with you. Observe your animals, they are picking up on your emotions more than you may think. And always, love your animals - they're here only a little while...perhaps to teach us most vital communication skill in world - ability to listen.

Animal Behavior: What is My Dog Saying? © 2004 - All Rights Reserved C. Bailey-Lloyd/Lady Camelot Public Relations' Director www.holisticjunction.com www.mediapositiveradio.com [All work by author is copyright protected. If you would like to use this article, please contact author for permission.]

So is Dysthymic Disorder a second-rate psychiatric disorder? Based on my experience, patients experience considerable emotional turmoil. In fact, some dysthymic patients eventually develop a more serious depression called Major Depressive Disorder. When “double depression” (dysthymic disorder and major depression occurring together) happens, patients are so depressed that they become a threat to themselves and become functionally impaired. At this time, psychiatric hospitalization becomes necessary.

So Dysthymic Disorder is a serious health problem that should be recognized and treated promptly. It is an illness that somehow hides its existence from everyone including clinicians and patients themselves.

What is treatment? Dysthymic disorder can be treated by antidepressants and psychotherapy. Most patients respond to treatment although some still suffer despite adequate treatment. Also, there are some individuals who only respond minimally. As such, this illness can be more challenging to treat than others.

Dr. Michael G. Rayel – author (First Aid to Mental Illness–Finalist, Reader’s Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: A Personal Development and Emotional Skills Game. For more information, please visit www.oikosgame.com.