[Smokin' Joe]

We have one which will stand, feet planted and looking down and from side to side to indicate he wants to chase the laser dot.

He also barks in a way that almost sounds like 'water' when his bowl runs dry, and can indicate when he wants food as well.

If you pay attention, certain barks have different sounds or cadences and that will tell you a lot about what the critter wants or what is going on (a challenge versus a greeting, for instance).

There are two aspedts to communication, and the receiver has to be functioning as well as the transmitter.

[Bulan Sabriel]

My sister's maltese-shitsu (we think, its a rescue) is a year old. She's a peach, mostly. She'll warn us about migraines huging our necks and licking our eyes and head. Annoying but useful. One time I was lying down with a headache and she came over and gave me her toy to make me feel better and when that didn't work, she gave me her chew lamby chew. (Cute in retrospect at the time, it stank.)
If she wants water, she'll bring her bowl, or if it is the metal one, she'll scratch at it or the water cooler. She'll also bring a ball if she wants to play, or her leash if she wants to go for a walk.