First an anecdote. I was laying on the floor in my bedroom and my dog wanted to come in. I told her not to, she stood with her front paws at the entrance for half a second, did a 180 degree turn, body inside the room and started to walk in backwards. I'll never forget that.

I agree with what you say but have yet managed to stop eating them. They taste good. Hopefully one day I'll manage to grow some more backbone.

Whether they communicate or not, of course they do. At a different level, obviously. Who's fault is it for not being able to understand? Theirs because "we" are smarter? That's arrogant. Heck, we have trouble communicating with each other properly.

And... I can't remember what the other comment below was talking about and I'm going to have lunch.

To end, can't remember exactly how to search for it. It went something along the lines of "2014 Cambridge [something]". Where several scientists and other fellow people smarter than myself signed a treaty stating animals are conscious. If I remember correctly.