Many years ago, when Jean was still in England, she and Jane became good friends. They still stay in touch today thanks to the modern world.
Recently, Jane sent an email that contained a lovely story of her dog, Molly. Or rather I should say Molly, that belongs to her and her husband, Al.
Here is Jane’s story.
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Our beloved Molly. Re-homed, not badly treated but was a working dog. Molly’s owner had a bad accident and his life fell apart.
Got rid of his other dogs and eventually, when boarding her with my friend, asked if she knew a good home for her. We’d just lost our dog and though he’ll never be replaced it’s not a home without a dog. So a friend and I went to see her – fat, scruffy, lived in an outdoor kennel. So, she came home with us.
She’d never set foot in a house so not house trained but SO clever. She quickly learned to toilet outside and now ASKS to go out. Nudges my elbow and if I stand up but don’t act immediately she paws my leg. How clever is that. Quickly learned how to negotiate stairs and not catch birds.
She knows exactly what she’s due – treats, dinner – and you can set your watch by her.
She is the most loving little girl and loves being cuddled. The thought of her being alone in the kennel, no company, frightened in storms, cold, not knowing when she’d see anyone breaks my heart.
The only problem, probably because of erratic feeding, or maybe survival instinct and not leaving scents for predators, is she eats her own poo and out walking I keep constant check or she’ll eat others too.
She had to be spayed and they found cancer last year and that meant a further operation.
She is a scavenger and I watch her constantly to see what she’s got in her mouth – in return for giving it up she expects a reward, she quickly caught on how to get treats!
Well enough, you know all about dogs and their ways – each one unique.
Keep well xxx
Once again, I am having a struggle to come up with something original. Once again it is at these times of life that I am very grateful for the offer of a guest post. Take Bryony for example. This is not the first time that I have presented her work but I am grateful to her.
This is her article on scent dogs.
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The making of a scent dog.
By Bryony Ravate, January 2nd, 2020
If you’ve been lucky enough to be around dogs, you will have probably noticed how their noses are always moving. By possessing a nose up to 15x times more sensitive than our own, with 600,00 neurones, they can sniff out different components in every room. When you’re cooking a meal, you will be able to recognise the smell of a dish. But when your dog smells the meal, he can smell each individual spice and seasoning, the oils, the crockery and even any water.
You can use your dogs’ keen sense of smell for play – laying out different scents for them to explore. But their noses can also be used for working environments– such as in airports, with the police and in search and rescue missions. They can track down suitcases hiding illegal substances, follow the suspect of a crime and sniff out the victims of a snowstorm. To become scent dogs, the canines go through vigorous training. However, although all dogs have an exceptional sense of smell, not all dogs make it through training.
It makes sense to analyse what leads to success and failure in scent dog training. So, a keen researcher at University College Cork, Ireland performed a literature review in which factors behind success and failure in scent dog training were analysed. A literature review is the process whereby you search a database full of information (usually research articles published in reputable journals) and you extrapolate the information to create your own source. Here, I’m going to pull together some of the points I found the most interesting, points you may not think would affect the making of a scent dog.
Personality
Dogs with strong motivation to play or search, dogs which were bold rather than shy, and dogs which can adapt and cope with stressful stimuli are more likely to become scent dogs. High motivation to play or search, makes a dog easier to train. Play can be used as a reward, by allowing the dog to pull on a chew toy after being successful in a trial. Finding scents may be perceived as a game to the dog, increasing his motivation to engage. Bold dogs are less unnerved by new surroundings and situations. A nervous dog may be hesitant about pursuing an unknown scent – but a bold dog will take little hesitation. Adaptable dogs may be able to apply their knowledge to different situations and they will be unphased by commotions and will keep working when faced with distractions.
Housing Standards
Dogs that live in enriched environments throughout their training have increased ability in trials. Like children, the more opportunities you offer your dogs to learn, explore and interact with their environment, the more it allows them to develop and grow. Dogs should feel secure in their home environment when not working; keeping them with other dogs and in bright rooms without using loud cleaning equipment (such as hoovers) will make them less anxious, leading to better accuracy in scent trials.
The Human Partner
Dogs emotions are often intertwined with their handlers. When a dog’s owner gets angry, the stress hormones in the dog increase as a result. If a dog handler is happy, the dogs will perform better. The bond between dogs and their handlers can affect the accuracy of scent trials. If the dog lives at the owners’ home when he’s not working, obedience and accuracy are increased. Although the bond between scent dog and handler is important, they must be independent thinkers. When faced with a problem- solving task, they must be able to manipulate the environment themselves to find a solution, rather than looking at their handler for cues about the answer.
These are some factors which can alter the likelihood of a dog being a successful, as reviewed by Camille A Trosi and her team. What we must keep in mind is that all dogs are individuals. We cannot use this information to ensure all dogs in the future will pass scent dog training. However, we can use this knowledge to give potential scent dogs the best possible start to life; providing enrichment, an affectionate bond with their handler, and a suitable home environment. Canine personalities are not always determined by genetics, and a suitable environment can give a dog a metaphorical push in the right direction to ensure he is the best he can be, whether that be as a scent dog, a guide dog or even a lap dog.
Original Source : Troisi, C. A., Mills, D. S., Wilkinson, A. and Zulch, H. E. 2019. Behavioral and Cognitive Factors That Affect the Success of Scent Detection Dogs. Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews, 14, pp. 51-76. doi: 10.3819/ccbr.2019.140007
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Now what I haven’t done before but intend to do straightaway is to reproduce an extract from Bryony’s CV.
I currently hold a Pass with Distinction in MSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare from Queen’s University Belfast. I also have a BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from Plymouth University. As well as holding two degrees relevant to the field, I currently have 2+ years of work experience. I possess the core attributes required when pursuing a career in the scientific industry; dedication, independence and initiative. I am highly passionate and believe that with my unique skillset I can have a valuable impact in the field of Science Communication.
Plus Bryony has her own blog, BrynsteinScience, and is also on Instagram, of the same name.
We wish Bryony much success in her work life and in her caring and interest for animals in general and dogs in particular!
There is an extensive article on Wikipedia in the UK on scent dog and the link to that article is here.
Finally to close with this wonderful photograph of a scent dog.
Yet another article I want to share from Mother Nature Network.
I really don’t know how Mother Nature Network (MNN) do it! For they have a great deal of stories about dogs and a great many of them deserve sharing with you all.
Take this one. A nine-year-old Pit Bull had about as much chance of being given a loving home as I have of winning the lottery (and I don’t even enter for it!).
But that wasn’t to reckon on Michael Levitt of California. Absolutely wonderful Mr. Levitt. You are a savior!
Christian Cotroneo has the full story.
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Removed because of an alleged copyright infringement.
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I can do no better than to close this post with a repeat of Michael Levitt’s words: “We’re helping Toretto, but Toretto is helping us. Having this beautiful, sentient being in our home — and having to think about somebody besides ourselves — has really helped us get through the scariness of what we’re all dealing with.”
About the position of our pet dogs and cats in this current pandemic.
So many of us are spending time at home. Lots of time!
And so many are asking questions about CORVID-19 and out pets.
Therefore I think it’s worthwhile to republish this article that appeared on Mother Nature Network yesterday.
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Removed because of an alleged copyright infringement.
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Now it is quite a long article but then again you probably have much more time to read this post! And, frankly, there is a lot of good information contained within it!
Service Dog Comforts The Hospital Workers Who Need Her The Most
Photo Credit: Susan Ryan
Wynn is only a year old, but when she’s old enough, she’ll be trained by Canine Companions for Independence to be an assistance dog for someone with a disability. Until then, she’s being trained and socialized by her puppy handler Susan Ryan — but she still has a very important job to do.
From the moment Ryan met Wynn, she knew she was a special dog. She’s so sweet and playful, and has never met a challenge she couldn’t find a way to tackle.
“I have two of my own Labs at home and she always does surprise attacks on them,” Ryan told The Dodo. “Once her vest is on, though, she is all business.”
Photo Credit: Susan Ryan
Ryan works as an emergency physician at Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, and to help with Wynn’s training and socializing, she started taking the puppy with her to the hospital sometimes. Wynn always loves visiting the hospital — but when the coronavirus epidemic started to become an issue in the U.S., it became clear that Wynn could fill an important role at the hospital.
As the coronavirus outbreak continues, doctors, nurses and all hospital staffers are working around the clock to provide the best care they can. They’re working so hard and could definitely use some support, and Wynn is there for them, acting as a therapy dog specifically for everyone on staff who could use a moment to decompress amid all the chaos.
Ryan works hard at the hospital too, and even though she gets to see Wynn at home, she still took a moment on her shift recently to let Wynn comfort her. The pair sat on the floor of the hospital together and Wynn leaned into her foster mom, as if to thank her for taking such good care of both her and all of the patients in the hospital.
“She comforts us for sure,” Ryan said.
Photo Credit: Susan Ryan
Eventually, Wynn will move on and become an assistance dog for someone else who needs her, but for now, she’ll continue to help out at the hospital with her mom, and everyone is so grateful to have her there.
“When I walk into a shift the staff light up,” Ryan said. “But it’s for Wynn, not me.”
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What a delightful story. Just look at those photographs; the second and last ones in particular!
You heard me say this many times before and, I assume, it will be many other times ahead: Dogs are the most comforting animal bar none. They are so, so precious!
He is in Granada and his stop was at Arenas del Rey. He now continues along GR7 to Jayena.
As always, taken from here with the permission of Tom and Gilliwolfe.
Read on!
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Day 25: Arenas del Rey (Rio Anales) to Jayena (El Bacal) 16k
By Tom and Chica, 2nd March, 2020.
Written by Tom’s wife.
As I woke in the morning, I was greeted by a couple of squirrels who ran by the tent, up a little tree and gawked at me. Clearly, not convinced about what they saw, they did another circuit and came back for second look. No doubt, this wouldn’t have happened if Chica had been with me.
I was surprised and pleased to find that this spot I had chosen in the dark was right by a ford over the river and actually on the GR7 route. Worked my way steadily uphill through scrub until I reached the pines. The conditions were ideal: cool, fresh and pine fragrant air. Great views down into the river valley below.
The rest of the day was similar – lots of ups and downs and more pines, though in one area there was evidence of these being cleared for cultivation, probably olives or almonds. I also found an old lime kiln and more information about resin extraction.
By now, the shop had opened and I bought tuna, chocolate and a strawberry milkshake. Not a particularly healthy or satisfying meal so I grumpily headed out of town and found a sign to the El Bacal camping area so made for that. Lit a fire, made a brew and settled down at around 9.30pm.
Beautiful morning – wonderful smell of pine.Pines being felled and ground being prepared, probably for more olivesA few lonesome pines left.More about resin extraction – a way of life.An old lime kiln site.The limewash was use on the houses – hence the Pueblos Blancos (white villages) of AndaluciaJayena – today’s destination.
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Wall to wall interest.
Come back next week for another trio of daily walks by Tom, Chica and Merlin!
Day 24: Camp site* to Arenas del Rey and beyond 17k
By Tom and Chica, 26th February, 2020
Written by Tom’s wife.
Woke this morning to find hoar frost on inner and outer of the tent fly sheet. Porridge made for a warming breakfast along with strong coffee and parrots (sic. He means paracetamol. Ed).
As I was packing up, I was joined by marauding dogs, two of which decided to follow me all day to the next village whereupon they promptly disappeared. Bit of a relief as I was rather taken with the cute young Jack Russell bitch, a very endearing dog.
Arenas del Rey was apparently closed for the day so I spent a bit of quality time in the town square brewing coffee, drying my tent and washing my feet at the fuente directly beneath the holy shrine at the front of the church. Fortunately, there was no-one around to witness this disrespectful behaviour!
After foot repairs and a light lunch I set off on route to Jayena. Once it got dark, route finding became trying so at 8pm I pitched the tent by a river. I went to sleep to the ever-present chorus of distant barking dogs.
Ice on the tent.Bee hives.Beware! Bees at work.Stone threshing circle.Almond Blossom for the bees.Snow caps getting closer.Finally wearing that hat. Does the job!
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I have just about muttered all the ooh’s and aah’s I can about this walk and the stupendous photographs.
As you will read below, Tom took the opportunity to travel without Chica and Merlin today.
It was going to be too hot for the dogs.
Taken from here and republished with Tom and Gilliwolfe’s permission.
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Day 23: Alhama de Granada to camp position* 10k
By Tom and Chica, 26th February, 2020
Written by Tom’s wife.
Although Chica is much better and Merlin a very willing substitute, the forecast suggested quite high daytime temperatures so we decided it was best that I do a stretch on my own to try and make up lost time.
I caught the early train from Jimera to Granada where I got a tram to the bus station. The bus to the coast via Alhama de Granada didn’t leave until 3:30 so I had lunch at a pavement restaurant opposite. Later, I sat on a park bench in the sun to read but it wasn’t long before an ancient bucolic type decided to join me and make loud incomprehensible conversation. Eventually, I gave up and went for coffee. Returning to the bus station, I found him fast asleep presumably waiting for a bus. Not mine, fortunately, so a peaceful ride to Alhama but that was shattered as I found myself in the midst of a carnival with everyone in mad fancy dress!
After wandering around taking it all in, I headed to the top of town and filled my water bottles at a fuente then headed off at 6 pm. An hour later I was walking through poplar plantations on a pitch black lane trying to find a suitable camping spot. It was another hour before I picked up a GR7 sign in my torchlight which pointed uphill, too steep to try in the dark.
Luckily, I found a perfect spot above a stream which was only marred by the broken bottles left by previous visitors. By now, it was very chilly so I went straight to bed, glad to have put in at least a couple of hours walking.
Carnival fancy dress – strange!The theme isn’t evident!Leaving the party.
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Day Twenty-Four tomorrow!
I must say these are fabulous posts and I shall miss them when they eventually come to an end!
Sometimes the most precious gift in the world is the simplest one.
So starts today’s republished essay.
I would slightly amend the saying by removing the word ‘Sometimes‘. It is a fact that the most precious gifts are the simplest ones.
This essay was on The Dodo just three days ago and is perfect!
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Shelter Pup Can’t Believe He Just Got His Very First Bed
March 25th, 2020
Photo Credit: Fairfield County Animal Shelter
Sometimes the most precious gift in the world is the simplest one.
For Ezra, a stray dog who spent his life on the streets, that was somewhere soft and warm to sleep. And the smile on his face when he received his very first bed said it all.
When Ezra first arrived at Fairfield County Animal Shelter in September, he wouldn’t look anyone in the eye. He lay in the back of his kennel, shaking and staring at the wall. Shelter staff knew he’d need to overcome his fear to have a chance at a better life, so they came up with a plan to win him over: hot dogs.
Photo Credit: Fairfield County Animal Shelter
“The hot dogs were the key to his heart,” Samira Yaghi, rescue coordinator at the shelter, told The Dodo. “We always had hot dogs when walking by Ezra’s kennel. What started with tossing the hot dogs slowly became him taking them gently out of our hands.”
As Ezra got more comfortable, he began to press his body up against the volunteers, allowing them to pet him.
Finally, five months after he arrived, the nervous dog went outside for his very first walk. “It’s been uphill ever since,” Yaghi said. “He is full of wiggles and bounce anytime he sees us approaching, eager to say ‘hello’ and eager to give us kisses.”
Photo Credit: Fairfield County Animal Shelter
It was after one of these walks that Ezra’s life changed forever. “We had several dog beds donated and they were still sitting by the entryway,” Yaghi wrote on Facebook. “On his way out for a walk, he [lay] on the bed [and] had to be coaxed off. On their way back in from the walk, he [lay] on the bed again.”
Seeing how attached Ezra was to the bed, the shelter staff put it in his kennel. He immediately sat in the bed, smiling from ear to ear. “Just look at how happy and proud he is to have that bed,” Yaghi wrote. “He sat nice and tall with a smile of gratitude on his face!”
The sweet photo of him smiling in his bed even caught the attention of the shelter’s northern rescue partner, S.N.A.R.R. Animal Rescue Northeast. Soon, Ezra and his beloved bed will be on their way to New York in search of a home, and his friends at the shelter couldn’t be more proud of how far he’s come.
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Of our 6 dogs only 1 is a non-rescue. Jean’s history with dogs goes right back to Mexico and her finding homes in the USA for homeless street dogs taken in by her. When I met her, back in 2007, she had well over 20 dogs and when we came up to America to be married, in 2010, we came across the border with 16 dogs. All with the necessary paperwork I will add. But the border officer, after calling out to a colleague in the next customs booth, “Hey Jake, there’s a guy here with 16 dogs!“, couldn’t go throw all the paperwork and simply passed them all; not that we had anything to hide!
So Cleo was purchased to be companion to Pharaoh when Pharaoh was becoming an elderly dog.
First meeting between Pharaoh and Cleo; April 7th, 2012.
Pharaoh died on the 17th June, 2017 and he is still badly missed!
Learning from Dogs 