Canine Characters

Little Known Dog Fun Facts?

By Rosie Harvey

Fun fact 1 –An estimated one million dogs are named as beneficiaries in people’s wills. Many people get so attached to their dog that they ensure they are cared for appropriately once they have departed from this life. Hmm, I think I’ll just check the wife’s will just in case!

Fun fact 2 – You know the old saying that you can’t teach old dog’s new tricks? Well you can! As long as he’s not feeling too tired poor thing. Your older dog has the same capacity to learn new training and behavior as he did when he was a puppy… and having been through it all once before sometimes helps make it even easier.

Fun fact 3 – Apparently, 94% of dog owners say that their dog makes them smile at least once a day. Wow that’s a lot of smiles!

Fun fact4 – When you chose your dog did you take time to consider what name to give it or did you just give a name off the top of your head? It would appear that the most popular name for new dogs is Max.

Fun fact 5 – While our eyes are built to detect both color and light, dogs have a greater need to see light than color. Their eyes contain more rods (the light detection pieces of the eye) than cones (the color detectors) to allow them to see fairly well even in darkness.

Fun fact 6 – In addition to their night vision, dogs also have bigger pupils than people. This helps them track moving objects for longer distances without having to move their heads. And there was me thinking that my dog just couldn’t be bothered!

Fun fact 7 – Most domesticated pups can crank their engines up to 32 km per hour when running full speed. Incidentally letting your dog run around regularly can reduce his stress level and risk of ulcers (as well as many other problems). If you can, just picture your pup hurtling round your house at 30 kmh, I bet I can guess whose stress levels will be the highest!

Fun fact 8 – Have you spent any time on Friendster.com, the newest trend in social networking so I am told? Well, if your pooch is somebody who’s anybody, be sure he has an account and profile on Dogster.com, Friendster’s canine counterpart.

Fun Fact 9 – A dog helped in inventing VELCRO! Yep, it’s true I tell you. The inventor, George de Mestral, reputedly took his dog for a walk in a rural area and, upon arriving home, found his fur covered in burrs. After examining them under a microscope, he emulated the hook and eye structure to make one of the most versatile fabrics in history.

Fun fact10 – The roots of a dog’s teeth are longer than the teeth themselves to hold them securely in place.

Fun Fact 11 – I bet you can’t guess where the boxer breed got their name from? Go on have a guess I dare you! Ok you win, you were right, the boxer get their name from the way they play with their friends. At the beginning of a play fight, they stand on their hind legs and swing at their opponent with their paws, thus giving the appearance of boxing. Smarty pants!

Fun Fact 12 – The makers of Beano also make a doggie-gas reliever called Curtail.

Well there you have it a few fun facts to brighten up your day. I liked the one about the doggie-gas reliever, ha! ha! who thinks of these things?

Rosie Harvey runs a site on dog training and dog care. This site provides tips, advice, reviews, products and information all about training and taking care of your dog. http://dogtraininginformation.wordpress.com

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Dog Possessed

By Michael Russell

The word Dog brings a smile to many a person’s face. Those lovable scamps, although it’s a cliché, are truly man’s best friend. Why do you ask? Simply put because most dogs want nothing but to provide happiness and bring joy into our lives. Unconditional love wrapped up in a small or large package are those four legged beasts. They rely on you for the simplest of their needs and don’t ask for much in return but a scratch behind the ear and a soothing voice. It is often wondered why, with life’s many stresses, we rely on alcohol, drugs and medication to calm our fears, depression and anxiety. If one was just to be possessed by and addicted to a dog instead life would be so much simpler and more pleasant. Canines are very people oriented. Though funny to see, if you tell your problems to a dog he will truly listen. He may not understand but he will hear you. This is kind of like going to a psychiatrist without the big co-pay at the end. When you talk to the dog you can see in his face that he truly understands your pain and it is almost like he is thinking “person, I don’t know what you are saying but I truly feel the sadness I see in your black and white shadowed face”. That is not to say that you will be truly satisfied by the one-sided conversation with your dog but it sure helps.

For those single humans who hate coming home to an empty house a dog is the perfect solution. You will never ever find any one person in your life who is as happy to see you as your four legged friend. He will act as though you disappeared for a month and just returned home unannounced. He will spin around, jump, howl and unfortunately sometimes pee from the very excitement of seeing you. Where else can you get such a reaction? When was the last time your mom got so excited to see you she started jumping from couch to love seat? Ahhh dogs, nothing better than returning home to such wonderful love and caring. It may almost make you glad that you are single because it is either that or seeing your loved one denting your sofa and channel surfing.

Dogs don’t care if you are lazy and become a complete recluse either as long as they can do it with you. Having a off day and just want to not shower and lounge around and eat junk food? By coincidence this is just one of your dogs favorite things. He also would prefer to skip the bath and eat people food! If you want to take a nap that is no problem with him at all. He will just curl up next to you or close by for as long as you want. For all those pug owners I would surely invest in earplugs if you want to sleep because those squashed faced creatures really snore enough to wake the dead.

By far the best part of a dog possessor’s day (“owner” seems too harsh) is when you’ve finally calmed down for the evening. All worries are replaced by sheer exhaustion and you have your dog cuddled up next to you on the couch. You hear his light breath and feel his soft fur against you. Then and only then do you know that things are right with the world.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

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