Do You Think Dogs Can Talk to Us?

When I visit the Shelter, I can walk into one of the dog areas and it can be perfectly calm and quiet.  The dogs do not get alarmed by me for the most part.  Sometimes, however, one dog will become quite anxious and start most of the other dogs in the room barking to the point of giving some of the more mild-mannered dogs a migraine.


On Wednesday, I came in contact with two dogs that where showing symptoms of a migraine.  I have first-hand experience of migraines.  Mine are typically set off by florescent lights, the only lighting available within the shelter.  When you have a migraine, even the slightest noise is sickening.  You don't want to eat.  You just want to lie in quiet darkness until the pain goes away.  Both of the dogs I visited with today had no desire to acknowledge me as I approached them, their eyes were sad, they refused to get up.  I felt like these were the dogs that needed my company most that day so they were the only two I chose to visit with.  I spent a lot of time with each one.

Chesney (71034)

Chesney (71034) is a six-year old wolfhound mix who was lost or found.  He has been at the Shelter since May 8th.  He was camera shy, but enjoyed my company.  He clearly had a headache and wished the other dogs would quiet down.  I stayed with Chesney and calmed him.  He snuggled up close to me, never enough to put is head in my lap, but always enough to show me he appreciated the calm I brought to the room.  Chesney enjoyed my petting and got comfortable for a while.  It was sad when I had to leave him, like he knew someone else would come in the room and make the other dogs bark again. 

Me and Lolly, taken by Prof. Johnstone

Prof. Johnstone had me go into Lolly's kennel with her.  Lolly (70503) was another stray, scared and timid.  She almost appeared abused or as if symptoms of hip dysplasia were already evident in the Labrador mix.  Lolly is only five months old and has been at the Shelter since April 27th.  Prof. Johnstone stayed at the back of the kennel taking photos with both my camera and her own.  Lolly warmed up to me easily, making herself comfortable in my lab, offering me kisses as payment for her thanks in my interest.  Lolly is so sweet, I want to take her home with me. 

As I've stated before, I'm out of room at our small residence.  The best I can do is get Lolly's and Chesney's photos out there so someone who could care for them would adopt them.

Julia (front) and Olivia (back) with Lolly

While at the Shelter on Wednesday, I met another Meredith girl who looked very familiar.  She was not part of our class.  We spent time trying to figure out how we knew each other, but were both certain it was Meredith.  Turns out we both took a phys ed class together.  Olivia was at the Shelter with her friend Julia, just looking.  Julia wanted a brother or sister for the dog she currently owns.  Julia said she had a large backyard.  I immediately introduced Olivia and Julia to Lolly.  Both of them grew as attached to Lolly as I had.  I stayed with them answering their questions, watching the bonding taking place.  Oh Lolly, I prayed, this may be your forever family.

Julia and Olivia were both ready to Lolly home, but were trying to be responsible pet owners.  They decided to go home and think about it.  I do hope they came back for Lolly.

I've included before and after photos of Lolly to showcase how photographs can improve the adoption potential of animals.  In searching for Chesney's previous photo, I found happy news.  He is no longer up for adoption.  Congratulations Chesney!

Lolly, before

Lolly (70503) after

This week's assignment also included watching NOVA special, Dogs Decoded.  The video, about an hour in length, follows the study of the domestication of dogs, how they communicate with people, and how tameness and aggressiveness are bred.  This video shows that dogs are clear descendants of the wolf.  And a study of tameness vs. aggressive breeding was compiled on the silver fox in Siberia, Russia.  Studies proved how these qualities really are a result of nature, not nurturing.  Several studies were performed on both the foxes and wolves that involved nurturing dogs with aggressive genes to be tame.  Both studies proved that tameness is not learned but bred. I think this study further proves my theory, and that of other animal workers, of why you should let your pet choose you rather than you choosing your pet.  This video also went down a medical study path with the Boxers, showing how the breed can speed up medical research with humans.  I found that quite interesting.  To my knowledge, no animals were hurt during the research.  It was all composed of blood that was collected and tested from both dogs and humans.  Also in the video, scientists studied how dogs and people communicate and how dogs are more connected to humans than monkeys. It was a very interesting video.  If you ever have a desire to watch it, it can be found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM1JsGr76Ro&noredirect=1