His Bark Is Healthier Than His Bite

(My sister buys a puppy, and shortly after that she has to go abroad on an emergency. She can’t take the dog, so she leaves the dog with us. After a while, she calls back.)

Sister: “So, how’s [Dog]?”

Me: “He’s getting really big now. He can now bark really loud, too. Wanna hear it?”

Sister: “Okay!”

(The dog only barks when I squeak his toy at him, so I get it and squeak away. He barks, but only a little.)

Me: “Did you hear it?”

Sister: “Yeah… What’s wrong with my dog?”

Me: “What do you mean? He’s fine.”

Sister: “He sounds sick!”

Me: “He– Oh! That was the toy, not him. It’s the only way he barks.”

Sister: “OH! A toy! I thought he was sick or something!”

(We laugh.)

Dog: “Woof!”