Pooch Science, Part II
I’ve written another article about dogs, this time about how dogs are used in various ways the world over to help humans. They are, as I point out, probably the second most employed species on the planet. This article builds on the premise I laid a few weeks ago at SleuthSayers, the mystery blog, when I shared some fun facts about dog noses. If you love dogs, you will want to check this story out.
Since SleuthSayers is a community of mystery writers, I wanted to discuss the practical applications of dogs in various law enforcement roles in my first post. But I got sidetracked when I realized how important it was to discuss canine noses first. After all, their schnozzes are a big reason we rely on them in police and detection work. Sure, they are probably better sniffers in the animal kingdom, but none so obliging and compatible with humans. Dogs genuinely seem to like being around us, despite our faults.
Here is part of what I’m saying in the piece:
A charming subset of cozy mysteries feature pets with magical powers. Truth is, dogs and cats don't need an ounce of magic to do what they do. They are descended from a long line of predators whose only job was to track, kill, and eat prey. To perform that job on a daily basis, they were granted skills by nature that allowed them to carry out that task unerringly.
They needed to see in the dark. They needed to spot movement. They needed to hear over long distances. They needed a strong sense of smell. They needed speed and agility to reach that prey. And fangs and claws sharp enough to get the job done. Wolves hunt in packs. Cats were solitary hunters, which made sense since their prey was often too small to share.
By comparison, our ancestors evolved standing in trees, reaching for fruits and leaves...
The post is called:
The SLOBBERING DETECTIVE
I went as deep on this story as I did on its predecessor. Judging from the comments, visitors seemed to appreciate it. I could probably say more; these days, it seems as if every third book I read deals with dogs. But I believe in sticking to a seasonal schedule. As the dog days of summer are long gone, my canine explorations will have to wait until next year.
But hey, you can go right to the sources yourself. These are the authors of dog books I’ve admired over the the last couple of years. (Amazon affiliate links):
Stanley Coren (psychologist)
Alexandra Horowitz (dog cognition scientist)
Kevin Behan (dog trainer and author of Your Dog is Your Mirror)
Tommy Tomlinson (journalist and author of Dogland)
I can recommend nearly all the dog books by these authors. I do think Behan’s is a tough read but can be enjoyed by the right person. Read the reviews before you buy that one. It’s not for every body.
That’s it, folks! I’m off to play with my pooch, who is begging me to come outside as I write these words.
