I was reading an article on Yahoo Pets about dogs and humor. Apparently there is some question in the minds of people as to whether dogs do get the joke -- although the answer will be difficult to quantify in any way that doesn't seem anthropomorphic. (Actually, to me, the term "anthropomorphism" is kind of a joke in itself.)

The article has a funny anecdote about a Cairn terrier named Flint who stole his "mother's" underwear -- and shook them in front of guests who had come for tea.

And one dog owner blogged that she lives with a wise canine called, "The Crow" who has a wicked sense of humor. Crow enjoys ambushing her in the shower. She wrote that she's kind of used to it now, but still gets startled every once in awhile when she's showering and turns around to see this.

I took an agility course some years ago with Cajun, and there was a standard poodle in the class. One of the primary goals in agility is to have a dog that can be controlled off leash. That poodle was great for the most part. But now and then, he'd get a "wild hair" and go zooming off around the course, ears flapping, curly hair flopping, tongue lolling with joy. His owner would shout and yell, but the poodle was having the time of his life. I saw that he was watching her, though, and when she would finally give up and sit down in the middle of the floor, laughing helplessly, the game ended and he would come over. It was clear that he was enjoying the effect on her. But needless to say, he was not an agility dog because she just couldn't get a handle on making it serious to have him come when called. (Click the link for my article on how to teach your dog to come when called.) Apparently, humor is a strong feature in the standard poodle breed.

I have long had the question about dog humor answered, because I have lived with the Master of Practical Jokes. He was a half Aussie named Scorch. Although he was clicker trained to do freestyle and knew many tricks, he was highly reinforced by my laughter -- and he made up things just to make me laugh. The funniest trick he invented was the "silent bark". I would ask him to speak, and he'd go "woof!" But once in awhile a light squeak would come out. This was such a funny sound that it would reduce me to hysterics every time.

It wasn't long before he was doing it on cue. I'd say, "Speak" and he'd bark normally. I'd say, "Ssshhhh!!! Too loud!" and he'd throw back his head and emit a squeak.

That wasn't enough for him, though. This behavior escalated to the point where, if I said, "Shhh..." he would throw back his head and bark, but no sound at all would come out.

It would bring the house down, every time.

He did many, many things like that throughout his life, and it happened on so many occasions that it was clear what his intent was.

Another jokester I knew well was my dad's Newfoundland, Lewis. He was a notorious clown. Like most Newfies, he required a lot of grooming. I was trying to brush his chest and legs one day. He was lying on his back while I stood over him and worked. It wasn't long before he started wiggling. First one paw came up to push the brush away. Then another.

I was not amused. I just wanted to get the job done. "Lewis! Stop it! Hold still!"

But the wiggling got worse. Lewis didn't exactly resist me, but he rolled first one way, then the other.

"STOP IT!" I said. Then I made the mistake of looking up at his face. He was turning his head one way, then the other. His cavernous mouth was open to reveal a wide, doggy grin. His breath came in quick huffs. Out came his tongue -- SLURP. He looked at me from the left eye. Then he rolled the other way and looked at me from the right eye.

There was no point in pursuing grooming any farther. I was laughing too hard. He had gotten the best of me, and he knew it.

I am sure there are other dog owners who know, without a doubt, that their dog does indeed have a sense of humor. Dogs have different individual personalities. Some have a real sense of fun -- others are curmudgeons, just like people.