A more informative way to do something most of us don’t think about!
The Dodo recently had an article about petting a dog. I was about to ignore it and then decided to read the article. I am glad I did because The Dodo went to a veterinarian in New York City for the answers.
Here’s the article.
ooOOoo
These Are The Best Places To Pet A Dog, According To A Dog
Some dogs love all the pets from all the people, while others can definitely be more finicky.
When it comes to where she’s petted (and who’s petting her), your dog probably has some personal preferences —so it’s important that you learn her boundaries.
Typically, most dogs share safe zones that are OK to pet — as well as areas on their bodies that are totally off-limits.
To help, The Dodo reached out to Dr. Stephanie Austin, a veterinarian at Bond Vet in New York City, who explained the best places to pet a dog — and where to avoid.
Where do dogs love to be petted?
As a general rule of thumb, the neck, chest and shoulders are places that many dogs like to be petted.
But it’s important to keep in mind that not all dogs are created equal when it comes to where they like to be touched. “For example, some pups love belly scratches or petting on the rump area, while others may be more guarded about those parts of their body,” Dr. Austin told The Dodo.
How to pet a dog the right way
If you’re not sure what a dog likes or doesn’t like when you first meet her, your best strategy is to let her come to you and sniff your hand.
“If the dog is friendly and relaxed, try gently petting the neck, chest or shoulders. Don’t reach for their head from above, as this could appear threatening to a dog,” Dr. Austin suggested.
You can usually tell if a dog is enjoying being petted because she’ll get closer to you, act relaxed and happy and even lean into your hand where you are petting.
“If a dog becomes tense or standoffish, this may be a warning that they aren’t comfortable with the petting,” Dr. Austin said.
Where to not pet a dog
According to Dr. Austin, there are some places — in general — where dogs might be uncomfortable with someone touching.
Questionable spots include:
Paws
Legs
Tail
Face
“And even though many pups appreciate a good belly rub, they may also be protective of their belly and the underside of their body,” Dr. Austin said.
And be wary of any areas on the body that might be particularly sensitive.
“Some dogs may have areas of the body that are sensitive due to underlying health conditions — for example, if a dog’s hips are painful due to arthritis, they might not like someone pressing on or near their hips,” Dr. Austin said.
It’s also important to keep in mind that some dogs just don’t like to be touched by strangers. So if your dog prefers to warm up to people, advocate for her and let others know that she just needs time. Don’t force her to be uncomfortable by accepting unwanted interactions from other pets!
Of course, the best thing you can do when getting to know a dog is to start off slow and check in with her body language. She’ll usually tell you exactly what she’s comfortable with.
And once you figure it out together, your bond will be even stronger!
ooOOoo
Now Jeannie and I are biased because our six dogs love being fondled in so many ways including much of what is cautioned by Dr. Austin. But we certainly agree with the last few word about the bond being even stronger!
This is still good advice because there are so many different personalities with our six dogs and many just have a single dog.
But Dr. Austin’s advice applies to Jeannie and me and we would never be as relaxed when we have visitors. Then the strong advice is to let the dogs chose in their own time when and how to approach the guests.
One of the many stories from Paws Give Me Purpose.
I said yesterday that I would republish a story from Paws GMP. This is about Ginger and here’s her story.
ooOOoo
Welcome Ginger
By Lea, April 7th, 2021
This past weekend, Paws Give Me Purpose welcomed Ginger into Sanctuary. Ginger is our newest, tiny, senior Sanctuary resident. Ginger weighs a whopping 3.6 pounds and is estimated to be around 13 years old.
Since being found as a stray on the streets of Baltimore, Ginger’s history is a real mystery. Tossed out like yesterday’s newspaper by those she thought would love her forever, this little girl presents with many medical issues that required immediate care.
We are working closely with our Veterinary team to help make Ginger as healthy and comfortable as possible. Ginger has sadly been severely neglected; a complete medical workup has revealed that while there is no evidence that she was used for breeding, she is not spayed. She barely has any teeth, and those that she does have in the back of her mouth are extreme decayed and literally black.
Her jaw is infected due to lack of proper care and she has severe parrot jaw (only half of her bottom jaw) and underbite. She may or may not have been born that way, but regardless her mouth is extremely damaged due to lack of proper care.
Ginger has limited vision, as described to us by our Veterinarians, it’s as if she is looking at things through the spaces between your fingers. She has some weakness in her back legs which was originally thought to be luxating patella issues, but as it turns out it is actually a neurological issue. Ginger has been diagnosed with acquired hydrocephalus (her slightly domed head appearance is what first alerted us to this possibility).
For those not familiar, Hydrocephalus literally translates as water on the brain. But the fluid is not actually water—it refers to cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF), which coats the spinal cord and parts of the brain. In hydrocephalus, this fluid is unable to drain away properly and increases pressure on the brain.
This secondary type of hydrocephalus in older animals is when inflammation, infections, or tumors grow and block the outflow of the CSF. The most common cause of acquired hydrocephalus is a brain tumor, which usually affects older dogs like Ginger.
Medications have been started and we are hoping for the best outcome possible. Quality of life is above all else to us here at Paws Give Me Purpose, and due to Ginger’s advanced age invasive procedures are not advised. While early treatment is best in a case like this, there is no way for us to know how long she has been this way.
There is a special light in her eyes, a clear will to live and enjoy her golden years to the fullest and for as long as she is with us, we will make it happen! Ginger is extremely sweet, enjoys being held/carried around or sitting in a lap and we have begun spoiling her. She has the cutest little snorts when she breathes and will do a little dance for us when she wants to be picked up for cuddles.
With you by our side, we can give Ginger the chance to have the opportunity to live out her golden years to the fullest – she deserves this second chance to be happy, loved and cherished. Our promise to Ginger is to give her the best life daily with unconditional love for the rest of her life.
We ask that you please consider making a donation to help us with Ginger’s ongoing care. If anyone is interested in sponsoring Ginger’s lifetime care in Sanctuary, please reach out to us directly.
If I were to mention the name of Lea Brandspiegel I suspect that many of you wouldn’t have a clue as to whom I was referring to.
But if I were to add that Lea is the CEO and Founder of Paws Give Me Purpose Inc. and to include a little from the About page on the website then that would make you sit up!
Here it is:
ooOOoo
Welcome to Paws Give Me Purpose! We look forward to sharing our purpose, knowledge, laughter and tears with all of you. We hope you enjoy the time you spend here with us.
Paws Gives Me Purpose Incorporated is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, caring for and providing sanctuary to difficult to adopt dogs. We believe that all dogs deserve a second chance at life – especially seniors, those with physical disabilities, terminal illness, behavioral issues, have been abused and need someone to care for, love, and understand them.
Located in Southern New Jersey, we provide for our pups dependent upon the donations of generous friends, family, businesses, individuals and out of our own pockets. We are limited on both space and funding, as well as physical ability. We are able to take in and provide for only a limited number of dogs at any given time.
We also feature, network and sponsor shelter and rescue dogs looking for their forever homes. All of the dogs we feature here on Paws Give Me Purpose have been waiting far too long for their chance; oftentimes, these dogs do not get the exposure they need, and we want to change that! For us, education is key; this is why one of our ultimate goals is to change the way that humans think of, and treat, dogs with special needs.
Paws Gives Me Purpose exists on the kindness of strangers, dedicated supporters who follow our efforts, the loyalty of friends, veterinarians, hospitals, rescues, shelters, and private individuals who view us as a staple in the rescue community. We are strictly a volunteer-run organization and all donations go directly towards the care of the sanctuary animals. Know that you are helping to make a difference in dogs’ lives and that you are the driving force behind us.
ooOOoo
So there is the introduction and I will have great pleasure in sharing more stories about the dogs that Lea has rescued and found homes for.
Oh, a postscript! If you fancy making a donation then that page is here. (And it really doesn’t need me to say that I have no relationship at all with Paws Give Me Purpose Inc.)
Adopting a dog is one of the most exciting ways to grow your family.
But you might be wondering if certain dog breeds are better for living with families than others.
The Dodo spoke with Iris Ulbrich, a behavior consultant and owner at Trust Your Dog in Los Angeles, who explained why you should actually pay more attention to a pup’s personality than his breed.
The best dog breeds for families
While there are some dog breeds that tend to be a bit more inclined for family life, it’s super important to remember that breed is not everything.
“Yes, there are characteristics that are tied to dog’s breed, but a lot has to do with the quality of breeding as well as the first few months of a puppy’s life,” Ulbrich told The Dodo.
What’s most important is an individual dog’s personality because, ultimately, that will determine whether or not he will work great in a family environment, regardless of his breed.
With that in mind, here are some dog breeds that — on average — tend to have traits that make them good family pets:
Labradors
Golden retrievers
Collies
Wheaten terriers
“Both [Labradors and golden retrievers] are very friendly, active, good with kids and eager to please,” Ulbrich explained.
As for wheaten terriers, they don’t shed. So if someone in your family has allergies, these terriers could be a good fit.
“Collies are very devoted family dogs and can be both very active but also know how to relax and be calm at home,” Ulbrich said.
That being said, these are just generalizations! There are some labs out there who are absolutely terrible with kids — and literally millions of individual dogs from breeds not on this list who are perfect family pets.
Which is why your best bet is to go to a rescue center, where adoption counselors can match you with a pup who has the exact personality you’re looking for.
Personality traits that make a dog the best fit for a family
Since personality is far more important than breed when finding your perfect pup, you should know which traits to look for in your family’s potential new addition.
After all, a rescue is going to help you find a dog that’ll vibe with you and your loved ones, since you’ll be able to pick a pup with a fully formed personality. If you get a puppy from a breeder, on the other hand, you’ll have no idea if he’ll grow up to be a good match for your family.
When it comes to finding the best dog for your family, here’s the personality traits Ulbrich recommends you look for.
“A healthy amount of energy in combination with eagerness to please their owner is usually a great combination,” Ulbrich said.
And since families are all different, it’s actually most important to look for a dog that’ll mesh with your family’s interests, hobbies and lifestyles.
“An active and outdoorsy family with slightly older kids that live in a house would pick a different dog to a family that lives in an apartment and has twin toddlers,” Ulbrich explained.
In those cases, both of those potential pups might not even be any of the breeds listed above, since it all boils down to each individual pup’s personality.
“A dog’s demeanor also plays a big role in [a] successful family integration,” Ulbrich said. “I try and recommend people ask a trainer to temperament test a puppy before making a final decision on breed and particular puppy within a litter.”
And since that individual temperament is so important, any dog breed can be the best dog breed for your family.
ooOOoo
I hadn’t thought of it before but Iris Ulbrich stating that personality was far more important than the breed of the dog. Of course! Perfect sense! And always take in a rescue dog!
Yet another article about a sweet dog! Keep them coming!
I know Jeannie and I are very biased but so are millions, literally, of other good folk around the world. I am speaking of people who love dogs. And thank goodness that is the case because The Dodo is just one of a number of doggie websites and in the absence of such websites Learning from Dogs would have never got started!
So I am pleased to present another story from The Dodo about Levi. Read on:
ooOOoo
Very Sweet Dog Always Welcomes Mom Home With A Gift
Levi knows to never greet someone empty-handed. The Lab mix gets so excited every time his mom comes home that he immediately has to find the perfect gift to show his love.
However, when it comes to Levi’s presents, his mom knows it’s the thought that counts.
LORI EDDINS
“The very first thing that stands out was when he brought me an open, half-chewed box of screws,” Lori Eddins, Levi’s mom, told The Dodo. “So I took him to the vet for X-rays.”
Thankfully, Levi hadn’t snacked on any of the hardware and got a clean bill of health, but Eddins’ reaction to the “gift” encouraged Levi to start an adorable routine.
“I think my begging and baby-talking for him to surrender the box of screws might be what inspired his deliveries,” Eddins said. “He thought it was great!”
LORI EDDINS
Now, the rescue dog always gives his mom something special when she comes home after a hard day’s work.
LORI EDDINS
“He has brought everything from his toys, to bones and blankets, to clumps of grass, pieces of cardboard or paper (I call them ‘cards’) and landscape timber,” Eddins said. “My favorite was when he found where the flower bed had been cleaned out and he brought me flowers.”
“If he meets me at the gate empty-handed, I let him carry my keys to the door, and he is so proud,” she added.
LORI EDDINS
Some of Levi’s gifts are not necessarily what Eddins would pick out for herself. Occasionally, he’ll bring her clumps of horse manure or try to pick up one of the chickens on the property to deliver to his mom.
LORI EDDINS
Though Eddins’ chickens aren’t so fond of this gift-giving, Eddins is so grateful to have such a generous, happy-go-lucky dog bringing joy to her life — and she makes sure Levi knows it.
“I give him huge hugs and thank him as if he brought me the winning lottery ticket,” Eddins said. “Most things I give back to him, some end up in the trash. I did keep the flowers!”
ooOOoo
It is a delightful story and one that rings true for so many people. Lori knows the golden rule in the way that she praises Levi.
Always make a dog feel as though he or she is such a special animal that life wouldn’t work without that dog. Always praise them and when a dog does something negative do not punish them. Just don’t praise them.
Time and time again stories surface about the very special bond between humans and dogs.
I would like to say that this is very unusual but it isn’t. Maybe Lorenzo did something for his dog that many would not but that is not to say that Lorenzo’s love for Myles is unique or even close to unique. There is something very special about the bond between us humans and our dogs. We all have mystical moments with our dogs!
Have a read of this story recently published by The Dodo.
ooOOoo
Guy Buys A Cabin In The Woods As A Retirement Home For His Dog
Lorenzo met his dog, Myles, 13 years ago completely by accident, and that’s how he knows they were meant to be together. A local shelter used to take their dogs to the park on Fridays, and Lorenzo would always watch from afar, his heart breaking knowing that none of the dogs had loving homes. One afternoon, though, Lorenzo locked eyes with one of the dogs — and he knew he had to take him home.
“I saw him and he saw me, and his ears went straight up,” Lorenzo (who asked that his last name not be included) told The Dodo. “I knew he chose me!”
Lorenzo
Ever since then, Lorenzo and Myles have been best friends. They love doing everything together, from hiking and swimming to napping together and playing with toys. Myles has always been such a happy dog and just loves being able to enjoy life with his dad by his side.
Lorenzo
As Myles has gotten older, it’s become a lot harder for him to get around. Slowly, the diagnoses started to come in. Cataracts, arthritis, heart failure. Through it all, though, Myles was still enjoying life, just at a much slower pace. Lorenzo wanted to make Myles’ life as easy and comfortable as possible — so he decided to find the perfect “retirement home.”
Lorenzo
“I had always told him I would give him land and retire him to the woods,” Lorenzo said. “I always figured by my mid-30s, I would have left the city. The pandemic really showed me what I value and that both he and I need to move towards a simpler life.”
Lorenzo
Lorenzo found and bought the perfect cabin in the woods, named it “Camp Myles” and set about renovating it to make it into the perfect home for him, Myles and his two cats, Tofu and Mama. Now the whole little family is all settled in, and so far, everyone is absolutely loving cabin life — especially Myles.
“I think [his favorite part is] both being lazy on the deck or porch and relaxing in nature, as well as roaming the property and going on walks,” Lorenzo said. “So much to smell, no cars, no sirens — it’s perfect for both of us!”
Lorenzo
Since moving, Myles has been responding incredibly well to his meds, new foods and all the fresh air that cabin life provides. He’s been there for his dad for 13 years now, and Lorenzo has vowed that in return, he’ll be with him until the very end.
“We are both so happy,” Lorenzo said.
oooOOoo
It is a beautiful tale and many of us know what Lorenzo is feeling. Indeed what Myles is also feeling albeit in the special way that dogs feel.
Now I have republished items about this subject before but not for some time. This article which appeared on The Dodo was thorough in my opinion and, therefore, worthy of a republication.
Turns out, dogs totally can. And it’s important that you know what to look out for when trying to figure out if your dog does have anxiety.
According to Dr. Walter Burghardt, Jr., a veterinarian at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, there’s a spectrum of anxiety-related behaviors in dogs, ranging from mild to severe (just like in humans).
These are some of the most common signs that your dog has anxiety, according to Dr. Burghardt.
Signs your dog is experiencing mild anxiety
She’s lip-licking
A common sign of mild anxiety — or just being plain uncomfortable — lip-licking usually means that your dog feels uncertain about whatever situation she’s in.
She’s yawning more than usual
Dogs don’t only yawn because they’re tired. If you’re noticing your pup is yawning more than usual, or not anywhere close to bedtime, it could be because she’s feeling anxious.
She’s more inactive (or active) than usual
If you notice your dog is keeping to herself more than usual — or, on the other hand, if she’s more hyper than normal — this could be a sign that she’s feeling anxious and unsure of how to deal with those feelings.
Signs your dog is experiencing moderate anxiety
She’s tucking her tail
If you notice your dog’s tail is tucked, that’s a sign that she could be experiencing a more moderate case of anxiety.
Her ears are flattened
If you see your dog’s ears are pinned back, it could be a sign that she’s experiencing increased anxiety.
Other signs of moderate anxiety include an increased heart rate, respiration and dilated pupils.
Signs your dog is experiencing severe anxiety
She’s trying to escape
If your dog seems to be doing everything she can to escape or get away from a situation, it could mean she’s feeling severely anxious.
She’s hiding
If you’ve noticed your dog is trying to hide from a scary situation, it could be a sign that her anxiety is severe.
She’s being aggressive
If your dog is showing signs of aggressive behavior, it could mean that she’s feeling very fearful or stressed.
Other signs of very severe anxiety could be that your dog freezes, or just doesn’t move at all.
How to help an anxious dog
If your dog is diagnosed with anxiety, her treatment could depend on a few things:
The source of the anxiety
The intensity and duration of the anxiety
How often your dog’s behavior is affected by anxiety
“For more severe and more frequent cases, anxiety is usually treated with one or more medications to help reduce distress and physiological arousal, environmental changes to reduce the distressing characteristics of a scary event, and behavior modification aimed at improving the patient’s confidence in the scary situation,” Dr. Burghardt said.
If your dog is experiencing more mild anxiety, this can usually be treated by desensitizing your dog to the scary situation and working on building your pup’s confidence — all with the help and advice of your vet or dog behaviorist.
If you suspect your dog is suffering from anxiety, contact your vet to see what you can do to help her feel better.
ooOOoo
Now I left out of the post three recommendations “You can also try some tried-and-true tricks to help calm down an anxious dog” (my italics) because I didn’t think you wanted products from Amazon.
But I would love to hear how common it is to have a dog that shows anxiety. Do you want to leave me a comment?
All dogs have a brilliant sense of smell. That comes from them having many times more scent receptors. As CareCredit write:
Dogs have a strong sense of smell Scientists guess the dog’s sense of smell is somewhere between 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than ours. One of the reasons a dog has such better smelling ability than us is the number of scent receptors. For every scent receptor a human has, a dog has about 50.
So here is a story of a Husky using her sense of smell to good effect!
ooOOoo
Dog On Her Morning Walk Discovers A Cooler With Someone Inside
“Koda wouldn’t leave it. She was like, ‘There’s something in there. I want in there! Mom, look!’”
When a husky named Koda set out on her morning walk earlier this month, she had no idea she was about to save a life.
Around 5:45 a.m., Koda and her mom were walking on their regular route past the Fearless Kitty Rescue building. Koda usually stops to sniff around the area, but this time something was different.
“She made a beeline to our donation bench,” Teryn Jones, events and marketing coordinator at Fearless Kitty Rescue, told The Dodo. “On our donation bench was a cooler that was zipped up, no holes, and then wrapped up in a garbage bag. Koda wouldn’t leave it. She was like, ‘There’s something in there. I want in there! Mom, look!’”
Koda’s mom was startled by her pup’s excited reaction and unzipped the cooler. A black cat popped her head out and began to gasp for air. Even though it was still early, it was already getting hot outside, and the cat seemed relieved to be free.
Koda’s mom contacted a volunteer at the rescue, who rushed over to welcome the cat inside and out of the sun.
“She was just shaken up and was kind of in freeze-mode,” Jones said. “And that’s how she’s been since.”
The little black cat, now known as Juliane, has been slowly acclimating to life at the rescue.
“She’s so sweet and very nervous and shy,” Jones said. “But she loves being pet — she purrs and rolls around on her belly. The resilience of her, in going through, what she went through is really amazing.”
“In the Danish culture, the name Juliane means ‘Fearless,’” Fearless Kitty Rescue wrote on Facebook. “And Fearless she is!”
But Juliane isn’t out of the woods just yet. A vet exam found a large mass on Juliane’s tail, which will require surgery. Once she’s healed and feeling better, Juliane will be ready to start her search for a loving forever home
“She’s very sweet and very clean — so she’s your ideal cat,” Jones said. “She sits and does her own thing, she doesn’t make a mess … She’s just very dainty.”
Thanks to Koda, Juliane has a second chance at a happy life — proving that guardian angels come in all shapes and sizes.
ooOOoo
I want to add another small remark that was on the website:
In many ways this has been a strange month in a somewhat strange year! No, more than that! We are at last seeing climate change come to the fore in terms of topics. Yves Smith, who produces Naked Capitalism (and it’s a great blog) had an item on climate change recently. Here’s an extract:
Yves here. As many of you know, I am considerably frustrated with Green New Deal advocates, because I see them as selling hopium. They act as if we can preserve modern lifestyles as long as we throw money, some elbow grease, and a lot of new development (using current dirty infrastructure to build it) at it. We’re already nearing the point where very bad outcomes, like widespread famines and mass migrations due to flooding, are baked in. And even that take charitably assumes that a rump of what we consider to be civilization survives.
There were many replies from a variety of people; I loved this one from Tom Stone:
A rational response to this crisis is not politically or societally feasible.
And the crisis is here, now.
The changes are not linear, a concept many of the people I talk to about climate change have difficulty accepting.
Large parts of the SF Bay Area are going to be heavily impacted (It’s my stomping ground, so I’m familiar with it) by salt water intrusion, levee failure, lack of water to to changing precipitation patterns in the Sierra’s…
A lot of Bay Area Housing is built on fill or in low lying areas, those homes will start to be abandoned within a decade if current trends continue.
Add the devastation from the inevitable Earthquake on the Hayward Fault which our local and State Governments are totally incapable of dealing with and it is going to be a godawful mess.
I looked at the Disaster planning for a quake on the Hayward Fault some years ago and all of the assumptions are for a “Best Case” scenario.
The quake won’t come in October during a drought and a high wind event, it won’t come at the wrong time of day, it won’t come in the spring during a high water period when Levee’s are stressed…
The Bay areas disaster response center was built in the 1950’s to withstand a nuclear attack, it is underground and was built smack dab in the middle of the Hayward Fault.
Have I mentioned that 20 years after 9/11 the various emergency responders do not have a commonality in their communications gear?
The more people that read this and other article the better.
Plus I am going to include my reply:
Your piece, Yves, that you published from Rolf was excellent and so was Tom Stone’s comment above. The scale of the issue is immense but at least climate change has now become a mainstream topic, and rightly so. National Geographic magazine published a special edition in May, 2020 to commemorate the anniversary of the fiftieth Earth Day. I think it was 1962 when Rachel Carson published Silent Spring. So we can’t complain that this isn’t a new issue. But whether or not we make it to the one hundred anniversary of that first Earth Day depends on the myriad of actions that we, as in all of us, including especially our leaders and politicians, make NOW! Let me spell it out. NOW means within the next 5 years at the latest. I am 76 and a passionate advocate of a change in mass behaviors. For I have a single grandson, Morten, living with his parents back in England who is 10. I fear for his future and for the future of all of his age.
Anyway, to get back to the article about dogs that I wanted to share with you. It is from Treehugger.
ooOOoo
This 13-Year-Old Dog Has a Home Again
It’s heartbreaking when senior pets lose their families.
This weekend, my husband and I were the last step in a transport to get a dog to her new home.
Typically, when we have a new dog in the backseat, it’s a raucous foster puppy (or two) in a crate. There’s usually barking and tumbling and playing until the motion of the car lulls them to sleep.
But this passenger was a much different story.
Magdalen is a 13-year-old border collie. Her owner gave her up temporarily when he was sick, but when he fully recuperated a few months later, he said he didn’t want her back. He had her since she was a puppy but now had no place for her.
The family who had given her a temporary home had children and other dogs and was unable to give her a permanent home. When Speak St. Louis, the rescue I work with, was contacted about the border collie, they offered to take her in.
She went to the groomer for her very matted coat and to the vet for a basic health check.
The spa visit made her look (and no doubt, feel) much better. But the vet didn’t have great news. She had to have surgery for mammary masses and her mouth was swollen with all sorts of dental issues. One surgery later and she had six masses removed. Two teeth fell out during cleaning and 11 more had to be extracted.
Fortunately, the growths were benign and she slowly began to recover.
Stressed and Resigned
Magdalen barely moved on the ride to her new home. Mary Jo DiLonardo
On the trip home, the sweet senior looked so resigned in our backseat. The last kind transporter gently lifted her from her car and placed her in ours, where she barely moved as she re-settled herself.
She had just spent several weeks in the care of a wonderful foster parent where she recuperated from her surgery and from being left by her family.
I’m sure at this point she was just shut down and stressed and quietly rolling with whatever happened to her. She took the pieces of kibble we offered but her tail didn’t wag because it was tucked mostly between her legs.
It was heartbreaking to know that not so long ago she was someone’s pet and she was discarded.
It’s understandable that her owner needed some temporary help when he was sick and overwhelmed. But I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t have wanted her back now. I think of my own dog and dogs we’ve lost to old age in the past. They’re family and they stay that way forever.
Senior pets often end up in shelters and with rescues when their owners die and no one in the family is able to take them in.
Or some people give them up when they become harder to care for. Seniors can have more health problems and often people can’t afford the costs. They also aren’t as fun as their younger counterparts, and sometimes get cranky or snippy around children.
For rescues and shelters, it’s much easier to get a cute, bouncy puppy adopted than a less active senior that might come with health baggage and who might only be with the family for a few years.
A survey by PetFinder found that “less adoptable” pets like seniors or special needs animals spend nearly four times as long on the adoption site before they find a home.1
But older dogs have lots of benefits. Unlike puppies, they usually arrive housebroken. Sure, there are the occasional accidents as they figure things out, but they mostly know they are supposed to potty outside.
Senior dogs won’t chew your furniture or your fingers. They don’t bounce off the walls and wake you up in the middle of the night to go outside. They don’t need as much exercise as younger dogs but will revel in all the attention you want to give them.
Mary Jo DiLonardo
As for Magdalen, she is coming out of her shell in her new home. She was adopted by a good friend of mine who is a dog trainer. She has a soft heart for seniors and a passion for brainy border collies.
Because the pup is very driven by food, her new mom is going to try nosework with her. That’s an activity where she can sniff out treats in all sorts of hidden places. That will give her a job and a hobby—and lots of food!
Magdalen doesn’t have her tail between her legs anymore and the resident dogs are figuring out that she’s here to stay. But the key is for her to understand that this is now her forever home and no one will ever leave her again.
ooOOoo
Of the six dogs we have here at home three are old. But they still remain happy and carefree which is a little different to yours truly who, as much as he tries very hard not to do so, worries about the big things in life and, frankly, the biggest of them all is climate change.
I was browsing the internet yesterday and came across, quite by chance, the website PetMD. It looks like a great resource and I want to publish some of their introductory text:
About PetMD
PetMD is the online authority for all things pet health. Our goal is to provide the most accurate, reliable, up-to-date pet health information to help you navigate the everyday ups and downs of pet parenting. As a pet parent, you deserve to have access to the tools, tips, and insights you need to keep your pets healthy. With PetMD, you’ll find answers you can trust from qualified veterinarians. By working closely with veterinarians since 2008, PetMD has become the go-to resource for pet health and care.
Vet Team
PetMD collaborates with pet experts that know the most about pet health and care—veterinarians. Our network of credible veterinarians is essential in our mission to bring you the most detailed and current information. Meet some of the trusted veterinarians that we partner with to bring you the most up-to-date information.
What I was looking for is a reason why dogs love having their tummy’s rubbed.
This was a great article and I am pretty sure that republishing it is within the rules of PetMD.
ooOOoo
Why Do Dogs Like Belly Rubs?
PetMD Editorial
Updated: June 28, 2017, Published: April 07, 2017
By Chris Illuminati
Some dogs love belly rubs almost as much as playing fetch or chewing on a really good bone, yet others could go without the show of human affection. So why do dogs like belly rubs? And is it weird if some dogs don’t?
“Belly rubbing is a comforting action,” explains Dr. Peter Brown, chief medical officer of Wagly, a veterinary-based pet service provider with campuses in California and Washington. “It’s an opportunity for bonding and part of our relationship with our dogs.”
Christine Case, an anthrozoology instructor at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida, offers another idea about the origin of belly rubs for dogs. Case, a member of the Association of Professional Humane Educators and the International Society for Anthrozoology, feels that humans have modified canine behavior over the last thousand years due to domestication.
“Rolling on their backs is a submissive behavior that dogs exhibit toward humans.” Case explains. “I think it would be difficult to determine whether dogs truly like this activity or if they have been trained to do so. The context of the situation should be evaluated.”
Michael Schaier, a certified professional dog trainer and author of “Wag That Tail: A Trainer’s Guide To A Happy Dog,” concurs with Case’s assessment, but adds that affection is one of the greatest training tools a human can use on a canine.
“A dog rolling on his back is a submissive action and puts the canine in a vulnerable position,” says Schaier, “but dogs have been bred for 10,000 years to be social animals and coexist with humans.”
Studying Back Rolling Behavior in Dogs
A dog rolling over on his back doesn’t always mean the animal is being playful, submissive, or looking for a belly rub, especially in instances when other dogs are close by. In 2015, two teams of researchers from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta and the University of South Africa set out to investigate the meaning and function of dogs rolling over during play with other dogs. The researchers wanted to know if a dog rolling over onto the back is really an act of submission that serves to stop aggression or a tactic executed for combat purposes.
The researchers examined videos showing dogs playing together and staged play sessions with a medium-sized female dog paired with 33 dogs of different breeds and sizes. Then, they sat back and observed.
The researchers concluded that while dogs may roll when playing, the move might also be used to gain an advantage in fighting. Of rollovers observed, none of the dogs rolled over in a submissive response to aggressive behavior by another dog. Researchers noted that dogs rolling on their backs in front of other dogs used their position to block playful bites and launch attacks on the aggressor.
Should You Rub Your Dog’s Belly?
If pets are comfortable with belly rubs, pet owners should feel free to pet away. But Brown warns that a dog who suddenly doesn’t enjoy a good tummy scratching might be conveying a different message. “If your dog normally likes belly rubs, and then stops, that can be a sign of a sore belly or possibly an issue where their back is causing pain.”
There are, however, some dogs who can survive without the constant stomach rubbing.
“Past experience could affect the dog’s like or dislike for the activity,” Case remarks. “If a dog does not like to have its belly rubbed, it does not mean there is anything wrong—perhaps it’s just [the dog’s] preference. It’s up to the individual animal”
But most experts agree that when dogs ask for belly rubs or petting of any kind, it shows how comfortable they feel as part of the family.
“The greatest reward you can give your dog,” adds Schaier, “is the touch of your hand.”
ooOOoo
Those last two paragraphs say it all and it comes down to touch. Even a brief touch of the hand on the head of your dog is bliss. For both the human and the dog but especially for the dog.
Capturing the moment of my daughter hugging her best friend, Oreo, in the woods. Photo from Unsplash.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MaryJoDiLonardo-bw-treehugger-6d5044d7d4ae44298fb31df11a3d5a66.jpg)
Learning from Dogs 