Pets

Children are inherently and intuitively curious naturalists. They're
sponges for knowledge, absorbing, retaining and using new information at
astounding rates. We all know this, but often we forget when we're helping
to develop their roles as future ambassadors with other animals, nature
and ourselves. Some are also future leaders on whose spirit and good will
many of us will depend. They will be other animals' and our voices,
indeed, voices of the universe. So, it makes good sense to teach children
well, to be role models, to infuse their education with kindness and
compassion so that their decisions are founded on a deeply rooted,
automatic reflex-like caring ethic. If we don't, they, we, other animals,
human communities and environments will suffer.  Read More

Do dogs think the way we do? They certainly have many of the same drives, instincts, and emotions. But are they capable of rational thought? There's no question that they exhibit some very sophisticated behavioral patterns. But this author believes it's the fact that dogs act out of pure emotion, not logic, that makes them seem so "smart." So what are the dangers, if any, of believing (let alone promoting) the idea that dogs are capable of rational thinking? Read More

Dogs spend lots of time with their well-endowed nostrils stubbornly vacuuming the ground or pinned blissfully to the hind end of other dogs. They have about 25 times the area of nasal olfactory epithelium (which carry receptor cells) and have many thousands more cells in the large olfactory region of their brain (mean area of 7000 mm2) than humans (500 mm2). Dogs can differentiate dilutions of 1 part per billion, distinguish T-shirts worn by identical twins, follow odor trails, and are 10,000 times more sensitive than humans to certain odors.  The hidden tales of yellow snow are quite revealing about the artistry of how dogs make sense of scents.

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The idea that puppies are born functionally blind and deaf seems to make no evolutionary sense. However this condition is the result of a deliberate "choice" to improve the ability for wild canines to survive. Read More

Our relationships with nonhuman animals (animals) are complicated,
frustrating, ambiguous, paradoxical, and range all over the place.
When people tell me that they love animals and then harm or kill them
I tell them I'm glad they don't love me. We can always add more compassion to the world. So,whenever you try to reduce carbon at the same time try to expand compassion. Read More

Dogs trust us almost unconditionally. It's great to be trusted and loved, and no one does it better than dogs. Jethro was no exception. But along with trust and love come many serious responsibilities and difficult moral choices. I find it easiest to think about dog trust in terms of what they expect from us. They have great faith in us; they expect we'll always have their best interests in mind, that we'll care for them and make them as happy as we can. Indeed, we welcome them into our homes as family members who bring us much joy and deep friendship.

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Eye candy is, by definition, good-looking people: Sweet to stare at, they tempt us with their addictive visuals. But the term has another meaning, especially when we remember that our brain's primary fuel is sugar. Eye candy is also a special kind of mutual gaze -- one that is dense with energy, sends our pleasure chemicals surging, and looks absolutely delicious. And it's good for you. Read More

Jon and Myla Kabat-Zinn have describe parenting as "a gigantic adventure" and "an 18 year retreat" in mindfulness.  So, what's a struggling-to-be-mindful dad do when his son won't answer a simple question? Read More

Our understanding of the benefits of canine companions has changed. We now understand that a pet dog can reduce stress, improved physical health status and improve social relationships. Read More