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Volume 40 - March 21, 2003 Materials in this newsletter are the sole possession of the authors and Dog Company. Please do not copy or use in any fashion without written permission |
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Canine Cleverness Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. and the Max Planck Institute in Germany have been studying and comparing dogs, wolves, and chimpanzess and their abilities to read human cues. After food was hidden in two opaque and odour-blocking bowls, dogs were better able to discover the treasure by following the scientists' gaze or watching them point out the right location than the wolves or chimpanzees. To understand why dogs out performed chimpanzees, several trials were carried out.
Taking these results, the study by Dr Brian Hare, a Harvard anthropologist, has determined that the ability to read human cues is not a learned ability, but a "Cognitive evolution during domestication." So........are dogs smarter than the Chimps? You bet we are !!! Peni has always said dogs were brillant and this proves her right! Woof..."Sweep" ^..^~~! (Thanks to Blair Adams of Pets Magazine)
Classified (To our advertisers: we'd love to hear if your ad in the Woof was successful. Please drop us a line and let us know.) Wanted: Your 'articles', your 'For Sales', your 'Want Ads', your birthday wishes, your letters to Mam'selle, your names, your ......... ????? By Wed. April 2 .... for the next Woof, please. peni@dogcompany.com (Disclaimer: Advertisements posted by the Woof are done as a service, not as an endorsement. Please communicate directly with the ad contact for further information on any items.)
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ASK MAM'SELLE Dear Poutine, Ella: Ouch! Although it's nice to have us warm up their feet on cold winter nights, this sleeping with the "big dogs" does send us the message that we are equals. It does lead us to develop behavioural problems. Humans need to understand we dogs live in a hierarchical world, where there is one leader....the alpha dog who is usually the strongest and biggest in the pack. When we are allowed to sleep even on the bed, let alone under the covers, we perceive ourself as being the alpha of the pack and no longer have to follow the rules. And this results in having problems at home. O.K. sister, it's time to get yourself off that bed! If you feel you'll sneak up in the night, take yourself out of their bedroom and make room for yourself in the kitchen or anywhere that does not have a bed or couch in it. If you choose to lay on the hard cold kitchen floor, your humans will soon feel sorry for you and give you a bed there. Don't go to their room at all, not even for a cuddle....it just confuses you. Cuddle them in the living room. If your parents still don't get it, give them our website or phone #. We can help them figure it out www.dogcompany.com or call...... 656-1659
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Phydeau Phun This is why lots of men have dogs and not wives.
(Thanks to Mindy for this)
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From the Mailbag Yep ...that's me, collecting the mail from every dog's favouite Postie...Candice ..better know as Morley & Rabbit's mom. Yes, we do get regular mail from dogs and owners, post cards from vacations, recipes, and info and stories from children and schools all over the world. We've had a lot of interest, both email and regular mail, in another 3 hour Acupressure course since we last hosted it. I think that Miss Trouble is the best dog to tell you all about it; she'll fill you in on the time, the place and her own experience, because she went last time.
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Tips and Tales by Miss Trouble So my buddy Slick has asked me to tell you about Acupressure for Dogs. The one I went to was a long time ago, way back in November of 2001. (Why, that's almost fifteen years ago in doggy years.) Michael Lines, who's a registered Acupuncturist, gave it then, and he's going to do another session in May, 2003. He can only work with 10 or so dogs at a time, so if you're interested, you'll need to sign up quick. It costs 60 of those things Mom calls dollars, but hey, we're worth it, aren't we? I can hear you saying, "So never mind all of that. What's it all about?" Acupressure is an ancient Chinese Medicine, called Jin Shin Do (The Way of the Compassionate Spirit), and it's all about certain points on our furry little bodies. Michael showed our people where these points are and how to rub or push on them to make us feel good. Each point has an effect on some part of the body, not just the part that's being rubbed or pushed. He taught our folks how to find these points and gave them papers to help them remember it. After he showed everyone a spot on some lucky dog, he came along and made sure that our folks were doing it right. He corrected them if they weren't quite in the right spot, and made sure that they weren't pushing too hard. Some of the points were in two different places, and they both had to be pushed or held at the same time, and for that, we pups needed to hold still; funny thing though. It felt so good that I don't remember anyone kicking up a fuss or wiggling around. Now, I'm a pretty fit dog, and haven't had any problems with sore legs or back or arthritis (or is that arthur-itis?) or anything like that, but it still felt really good. Just imagine how good it would have felt if I had somewhere that hurt! Now that I'm so much older, I'm getting closer to all those things, so I'll have to pay really close attention. Of course, it's not just pain that it can help with; it can help our minds too, and make us more relaxed and feeling mellow - a point on my wrist, for example, was a part of me that helped me be more relaxed when I rode in the car. I'm hoping Mom will take me again this time, because I really did enjoy it the last time. Here are the details!
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Canine Acupressure Seminar The Dog Company and Island Dog Sports are proud to host this fantastic seminar. If you are looking for an alternative in how to treat your dog for some of what is ailing him, then this is the seminar you and your dog have been itching for. Michael Lines R.Ac. (diploma of traditional chinese medicine) has put on many of these seminars for us dog lovers over the years. This 3 hour seminar will be fun for you and your dog. Both of you will be a big part of this interactive course. Come prepared to have fun, learn by hands on training with your own dog, and meet new friends and perhaps see some old friends. All dogs must be accommpanied by a parent or guardian. The course is at the Brentwood Bay Library Building, bottom floor, May 3, 2003. 12 dogs only per 3 HOUR seminar. Cost is $60.00 per dog. Sign up now as space is limited Make Cheque out to Michael Lines Rc.A
Woofs of Wisdom The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
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It's Tick Season Again Ticks (bloodsucking external parasites) require blood meals to fullfill each stage of their life cycle. Geesh...... like a dog should really want to know all this?...... Anyway, there are over 850 species around the world. The type of tick infecting us depends on where we live. The brown dog tick (rhipicephalus sanguineus), is the most common. However in North America, the dermacentor variabilis is the prevalent little bloodsucker. Oh...I can't go on....it is so awful to think of them sucking my blood. Right now I'm more concerned about getting them off... most of us dogs when infected with ticks will scratch the areas. This should get your parent to inspect your skin for imbedded ticks, which are easy to spot, and begin to remove them one at a time. Since ticks insert their head beneath the skin surface and leave part of themselves out, it can cause complications. Your parent should be careful to wear gloves or maybe use tweezers and carefully grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible and slowly turn the tick counterclockwise and pull it away from your skin; your parent will feel or even hear a little sound as the tick is released. The reason for the gloves, etc. is that ticks can bite humans and infect them too. Please check with your Veterinarian for more details on side effects and treatments. Your Vet will be happy to explain the four stages cycle of the life of a tick....I just can't...they gross me out!
Sick Call Monty is still recovering.... we're beginning to wonder if he's discovered a good thing. Getting lots of sympathy and treats there, Monty? We saw you on the couch! And poor old Peaches is still favouring that leg. Remember, girl..... go slow! Barks and ruffs to you both from the Woof Gang.
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Do You Know About St Patrick's Day? Though originally a Catholic Holy day, March 17th has evolved into more of a secular holiday and is a day of celebration and marching in Ireland and the United States. Much Folklore surrounds the day, but not much is actually substantiated. One of the myths is that Patrick raised people from the dead. He is also said to have given such a powerful sermon from a hilltop that he drove out all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, no snakes were ever native to Ireland and some people believe this is a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans. One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. This stems from a more bonafide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. It was used in his sermons to represent how the Father, Son and Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day. Top o' the mornin' to ye...hope you had a happy day.
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Crossing Over "Chase" Oct 1990-2003 Chase would like to thank all of her many family members, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all her friends, of both canine and human form, for her wonderful life. Thanks for the walks, hugs, pats, runs with Auntie Marj and all the free people food dropped on the floor by the children in her pack over the years. Let's not forget the BBQ's. Thanks for the fishing trips on the Rosemary T, nice long dog sleeps in the sun and for all the love and admiration that was bestowed on her throughout her life - all the important events that make up a joyous dog's life. Chase was always up for anything new that came along and was a very devoted dog to the children in her life. She was adored by her brothers, Slick & Jiggs, and her friends, Sweep & Poutine, who loved it when she came for sleep overs. The fun and games just never stopped. During her last few days, she was happy and comfortable, thanks to Linda. On Chase's last day, she saw her children off to school and she made sure she had lots of time to be snuggled before they left. Chase spent her last moments in the arms of her guardian angel, Auntie Marj, who eased her to sleep. May she run joyously forever.
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Slick's Flicks GRRR ... Wuff! Yep, it's time to pop the popcorn ( I like mine with a bit of butter and a big bowl of water.) These are all available at the video store. Family Flicks Adult Movies Geeesh.......... I can smell the popcorn now! Remember to lick up all the crumbs off the floor!
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The Purrrrrrr Okay, I've really got a complaint. Way back on Valentine's, my sister, Trouble got some delicious treats from Stacey at Doodledogtreats. Troub said they were absolutely wonderful. Stacey makes them with liver and sells them to people for their dogs. Well, that was bad enough, but now, those wretched canines have actually gone out for dinner to a diner! That's right; they went to Woofles; a Doggy Diner. The only thing saving Trouble from a major nose job is that they did bring home a Kitty Bag for me, because Woofles has some wonderful cat stuff as well as dog stuff. Vist the resources section and you'll find links to both of these sites. However, you felines out there didn't get a kitty bag, so here's a recipe for you. Now, I've not tried these myself, but they sound absolutely delicious. I don't know why Mom hasn't made them for me yet; well, I guess I do know. She's always busy with my sister, the dog! Everytime I turn around, it's, "Here, Trouble, let's go." They never, ever, ever ask me to go along yet I can do everything she does. I know they go to something called Agility part of the time..... hey, those canines don't know the meaning of the word agile. Have you ever seen one of them walk along the mantel of the fireplace, or get on the very top of the cupboards in the kitchen? Not likely! Anyway, if you do make these, lemme know how they turn out. PUURR Treats Mix together and drop 1tsp of mixture on a greased cookie sheet. (Thanks to Dale O for this) Cleocatra (Cats rule... dogs drool!)
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Creative Captions Last issue's picture and the captions are: |
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And the new picture ... Captions please!
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