Canine Kibble August 2002

Pup Visits Doctor Daily For Sore Ear Treatment

FREDERICK, Md., June 20 (AP)- When a dog with a sore ear goes to a doctor for treatment it’s news.

Bingo, a bull pup, did that. He is owned by Mrs. Edward P. Thomas, who took him to Dr. R. V. Smith to get the ear treated. A week later she called the physician to say the ear was well, but remarked that she was at a loss to understand how one treatment was so effective. "One treatment? Why Bingo has been coming to my office every day this week," the doctor replied.

He explained that the pup would come to his office the same time each day, scramble onto the table and lie there quietly until treated. When the treatment was over he would jump down and run home. When the ear healed Bingo stopped going to the doctor's office. (New York Times, June 21, 1934)

Dog Goes Alone to Veterinarian

LANSDOWNE, Pa., Jan. 8 (AP)- "Haile Selassie", a large black half-spaniel, trotted unaccompanied a mile and a half to a veterinarian today after he cut his foot. The dog’s owner was away. The veterinarian, hearing a scratching at his door, found "Haile" holding up his injured paw, begging for help. The dog had been treated by the veterinarian before. (New York Times, January 4, 1940)

Psychologist Finds Cats Are Anarchists

Dogs Lack Sincerity, Scientist Says - Would Train Animals as Collaborators The New York Times Company January 25, 1924

PARIS, Jan. 24. —Animals by nature commit fewer mistakes than humans, in the opinion of Professor Lepinay of the Paris College of Psychology, which has such eminent members as Professor Appell, Professor Branly and M. Raymond Poincare. Professor Lepinay has been closely studying the psychology of cats which, to use his own words, "are very curious enigmas to which we, very rightly compare the fair sex. Cats are capricious and independent, suddenly abandoning what just appeared to please them most, following those who flatter and caress them, only suddenly to turn away again. They neither possess the attachment nor the qualities of dogs, which, through associating with man, have contracted some of man's faults-for instance, they lack sincerity."

"Cats are anarchists among animals. They make no concessions or only such as please their temper of the moment. To me they are little less than divinities, little more than animals. Unlike my friend Dr. Philippe Mairechal, I do not support the theory that animals are superior to man, but by instinct they make fewer mistakes than man in his researches and in his efforts. Generally speaking, we might train them as collaborators, learning better to utilize their associations and ideas, making ourselves understood through educative means. What has been done with men could be done with them, raising them from rank timid slaves to intelligent auxiliaries."

Responsible Breeding?

In a look back, the United Kennel Club Magazine, Bloodlines, reprinted a 1927 story about a Smooth Fox Terrier, Nellie of Knots who was from a "very fine kennel" that was owned by a veterinarian. Nellie was born with no front legs but is described as the "pride of the kennel and home." The other female in Nellie's litter was similarly afflicted and died shortly after birth, the males were normal. Nellie's picture caught my eye but what made me keep the article was the following: "Lady of Elkhart (Nellie's mother) had another litter with five puppies. Three males and one of the females were perfect, but the other female, Tiny of Knots was an "exact reproduction of Nellie."

Puppy Testing

According to a short article in Science News (Vol. 158, August 26, 2000) researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario found that puppy testing to assess sociability and reactivity to stimuli did not necessarily predict future behavior. They tested 46 litters of puppies and then looked at the dogs again one year later. The researchers concluded that the effects of moving into new homes "prevent reliable prediction of future behavior."

Low Key Watch Dog

Here is a 1988 story from the Washington Post titled "Mild-Mannered Arlington Dog Lets Sleeping Intruder Lie" about a dog that "took the velvet glove approach to preventing crime." The dog, Brownie, a 70-pound Chesapeake Bay Retriever barked at a burglar when he entered her home. The man, who admitted to having been drinking that evening, ran into the coat closet to escape the dog and feel asleep. Brownie, apparently satisfied that everything was ok, went back upstairs to bed. Her owner called police in the morning when he discovered several valuables in a pile in the living room. Everyone ignored Brownie, who was sniffing around the closet, as they discussed the situation until they heard a cough. According to the Arlington detective, "We haven't had anyone being apprehended by a dog before."

The Lived Happily Ever After File

In the early eighties, a German Shepherd-Malamute mix and postal worker wannabe named John started following mail carrier Oscar Borovetz on his route. John would wait at the corner everyday to join Borovetz on his route. He was so reliable that substitute mail carriers were instructed to "follow the dog." Most neighbors, including the dogcatcher who happened to live on the route, liked John and often put out food and water for him. But one woman complained, and the city started picking John up for being off-lead and finally took his owners to court over the repeated violations. After a story about John ran in the newspaper, letters supporting him came in from around the country. Happily, Mayor Coleman B. Fite, issued a proclamation giving John permission to accompany Borovetz on his route without a lead. (The Houston Post, January 26 and February 14, 1982)

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