Issue #10 Vol. #01 - March 2001

C A N I N E S   O N L I N E ™
Copyright 2000 Canines Online ™
Issue No.10, Vol.1 March 2, 2001

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CONTENTS:
=>Health:
   -- An amazing sense of smell!
=>Tidbits:
   -- Can you hear me?
=>News Briefs:
   -- Put Spot in the will
   -- Foot-and-mouth shuts Britain's top dog show
   -- Kids help shelters
   -- Leptospirosis on the rise in Connecticut
=>Recipes:
   -- Good Dog Cookies
   -- Simple Simon's Birthday Bones
   -- Frosty Paws
=>Featured Site:
   -- Do you look like your dog?
=>Featured Breed:
   -- Yorkshire Terrier
=>Product News, Reviews, and Coupons:
   -- Giving Your Dog Natural Treats
=>The Tail End
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HEALTH
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An amazing sense of smell!
Just as a human brain is wired to learn language, so a large part of a
dog's brain is devoted to interpreting the senses. Smell, the dog's
most advanced sense, is so keen that a dog's ability to detect scent is
estimated to be a million times greater than his masters’. Although
loyalty has earned canines the nickname "man's best friend," their
amazing sense of smell--which has saved and protected the lives of
countless people--might just as easily have been the trait that earned
them the title.

All you have to do is look at how a dog's sense of smell has been
employed by humans to see how exceptional the ability is. A dog's sense
of smell has been put to the test and triumphed in both sports and all
kinds of working situations. Tracking competition, in which a dog
follows the trail of an object, is a popular sport that allows their
families to celebrate this extraordinary talent. For some time now,
dogs have played vital roles at military installations, police and fire
departments, immigration points, and search and rescue operations.

Canine noses have been hired to investigate all kinds of mysterious and
dangerous situations. Dogs have successfully sniffed out bombs and
contraband, and they have been key players in arson investigations.
They have tracked down escaped criminals and lost children, and they
have helped rescue victims of disasters. Recently, some dogs have even
been trained to detect human skin cancer, identifying the illness even
before doctors have diagnosed it.

How does a dog's nose know? So where does this awesome ability come
from?
A dog's moist nose causes airborne molecules to stick to and dissolve
into the nasal cavity, which is tremendously rich in blood vessels,
nerve endings, and sensory receptor cells. Sensory cells closely packed
within the nasal membrane lining analyze the information in these
molecules. These cells convert scent to chemical messages transmitted
to the olfactory region of the brain. In general, the larger or longer
the nose, the more receptor cells you have and the greater the ability
for smell.

A dachshund, for instance, has some 125-million receptor cells; a fox
terrier has 147 million; and the mega-muzzled German shepherd boasts 225
million. Humans, on the other hand, claim a mere five million receptor
cells. Dogs also possess scenting glands along the roof of their mouth
that capture and transmit additional smells.

Scents and sensibility
A dog's sense of smell is so fine-tuned that you can train it to pick
out a particular human's footprints, even if the prints were left
several weeks earlier and have been trampled upon," he says.
"Incredibly, the canine nose can also recognize emotions such as fear
and anxiety. There's little that escapes that nose."

Here are some other fascinating facts about your pooch's nose:

	Dogs "taste" their food by smelling it, relying little on their taste buds. Humans have about six times as many taste buds as dogs.
	Scientists are now attempting to use dogs to identify schizophrenia by training them to detect pheromones associated with the disorder.
	Certain chemicals and substances can impair a dog's sense of smell. Air pollution, for instance, is a known detriment to a dog's tracking talents.
	Studies have shown that the color of a canine has a direct effect on his scenting ability. A white dog, for instance, is unable to smell as well as a pooch of a darker hue. This is related to the fact that pigments on the dog's skin affects his gift for sniffing.
	Engaging your pooch in activities that allow him to exercise his astounding snout will not only provide fun for him, it will also bolster his confidence and sense of security. Play some simple games of "find it" (his leash, a favorite toy). Or consider getting your dog involved in competitive tracking. Who knows, maybe your pet has the makings of a super sleuth who can crack unsolved mysteries and save imperiled lives!

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TIDBITS
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Can you hear me?
A dog’s hearing is superior to that of humans, especially for
high-pitched sounds. Canines can hear sounds that are ultrasonic. If a
dog suddenly prick up its ears and becomes alert for no apparent reason,
he might have detected bat or rodent sounds that are inaudible to
humans.

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NEWS BRIEFS
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Put Spot in the will
NEW YORK (CNNfn) -- A little preparation will guarantee your pet is
cared for after you are gone. For more info:
http://cnnfn.cnn.com/2001/02/26/senior_living/q_pets/

Foot-and-mouth shuts Britain's top dog show
LONDON -- Britain's foot-and-mouth disease claimed a new casualty on
Thursday when organisers postponed the annual Crufts dog show, one of
the country's best-loved events. For more info:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/World/reuters20010301_1610.html

Kids help shelters
ALLENTOWN, PA -- Classes in the school competed to collect the most
items for the shelter. Pupils adopt a project each February to help the
community. For more info:
http://www.mcall.com/html/news/allentwn/person_left_e55hyh1.htm

Leptospirosis on the rise in Connecticut
NEW HAVEN, CT -- Veterinarians are urging dog owners to get their pets
vaccinated against a potentially fatal animal disease that appears to be
on the rise in Connecticut. For more info:
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/058/region/Potentially_fatal_pet_disease_:.shtml

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RECIPES
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Good Dog Cookies

	1-3/4 cups of flour
	1-1/4 cups of oatmeal
	1-1/2 tbls corn oil
	1 cup warm water

Preheat oven to 300F. lightly oil a cookie sheet. Mix flour and
oatmeal. You could replace some of the oatmeal with corn meal or wheat
germ, if you like. Stir corn oil into water. Pour water and oil into
flour mix and stir until well blended. The dough should be stiff like
playdoh. Roll to 1 cm thickness, use a knife to cut into squares or
rectangles, or use cookie cutters. Bake for about an hour or until
cookies are are crisp
*cool before serving*

Simple Simon's Birthday Bones

	2 cups whole-wheat flour
	1tbsp. baking powder
	1 cup natural peanut butter
	1 cup skim milk

Preheat oven to 375F In a bowl combine flour and baking powder. In
another bowl mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and
mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll
dough to 1/4-inch thickness and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
Bake for 20 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool
on a rack, then store in an airtight container.

Frosty Paws

	1 carton of plain or vanilla yogurt
	3 smooshed bananas
	1 cup peanut butter
	1/2 cup honey (optional)

Mix it all up, freeze in dixie cups or the foil cupcake holders. Thaw a
few seconds in the microwave to serve. Humans will like these also.

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FEATURED SITE
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Do you look like your dog?
The Do You Look Like Your Dog? Contest is free to enter. People who
look like their dogs can send them a picture and then you're entered.
You can be in the book of the same name with your pooch, pup, dog, or
best friend. All breeds are welcome to come and submit a photo with
their favorite human.
http://www.doyoulooklikeyourdog.com/

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PRODUCT NEWS, REVIEWS, AND COUPONS
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Giving Your Dog Natural Treats
Information compiled by PETsMART.com staff and PETsMART Inc. experts.

Do you know that pig ears are actually the most popular pet treat on the
market today? And what about those other tasty chew treats dogs love to
gnaw on? These items provide a safe and enjoyable chewing outlet for
your dog, which is important for your dog's mental and physical well
being.

Benefits of Chewing
Chewing is a very natural behavior for puppies and dogs, and there are a
number of benefits that chewing offers. Chewing is good for keeping
tartar from building up on the teeth, (which helps prevent that dragon
breath). When a dog chews on a hard object, it scrapes away the tartar
that can build up and cause bad breath, staining, and periodontal
disease.

To satisfy the natural desire to chew. Dogs are animals, and animals use
their mouths for many things. It's natural for dogs to chew, and chewing
on hard chew objects provides an appropriate outlet for your dog's
desire to chew.

Chewing may provide some dogs with an enjoyable pastime, while others
may chew to relieve boredom, frustration, or anxiety. If you had to
choose between your new couch, your leather wallet, or a bone, which
would you rather your dog have?

Puppies chew for several reasons. Puppies like to chew on something hard
to relieve the discomfort in their gums as their adult teeth come in.
This is called counter pressure. Chewing also helps develop strong jaws,
and trains them as youngsters on the items that are acceptable to chew.

Bones
Bones are good choices for dogs to chew as long as they are not too
small or too brittle. Chicken bones, for example, are small and could
splinter easily, getting caught in your dog's throat or digestive
system. The best bones generally come from the femur (leg bone) of a
large animal, such as a cow. They are very dense so they don't splinter,
yet are a manageable size for a dog to handle. They even come smoked and
basted, so your dog has a variety to choose from.
Man-made bones are good choices if you want to keep your dog busy but
don't want to give real animal bones. Or, for pets that prefer a softer
chew, or for older pets that struggle with hard chews, try a bone that
is less dense. Some man-made bones are made with digestible ingredients
(such as corn) that are perfectly safe for your dog. They may come in a
variety of flavors, and you can find the size that's just right for your
dog's preferences.
If you offer your dog a bone, and she doesn't seem to care for it, don't
give up! Some pets are finicky about their chews. Maybe she doesn't like
the consistency of the bone, or perhaps it's too big or too bland.
Whatever her preference, keep trying until you find the right chew item.
Just remember those benefits.

How often should natural treats be given?
Natural treats, like natural bones, should be given to dogs the same as
any other treat. They can be given occasionally but not more than once a
day. The key here is that they are treats, not food. Remember that
treats should make up no more than 10% of the calories your dog takes in
every day.

To buy your dog any treats mentioned in this article or any other
supplies that you need, you can buy it at PetsMart through the link
below. http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click/mid5327311?siteid=29704969

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FEATURED BREED
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Breed: Yorkshire Terrier
Popularity: 9th in the US
Country of Origin: England & Scotland
AKC Group: Toy
Function: Companion
Life Span: 12-16 years
Appearance: Small
Color: Blue, black, tan, rust
Coat Type: Long, shedding
Grooming: Daily brushing
Height: 7-9 inches
Weight: 4-7 pounds
Activity Level: High
Watch Dog: Yes
Protection: No
Intelligence: High
Trainability: Good but may be stubborn
Good With Children: Older children
Good With Pets: May pick fights
Good With Strangers: Timid
Character: Lively
Home Environment: Apartment ok
Best Owner: Calm, time to spend grooming
Potential Problems:
Behavior: Timid, nippy, barking, digging, picky
Physical: Sensitive to extreme temperatures
Recommendations: Early socialization, no spoiling

Books:
Yorkshire Terriers: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition,
Breeding, Behavior, & Training By: Armin Kriechbaumer & Matthew M.
Vriends
Our Price: $6.25
Retail Price: $6.95
Affectionate, lovable, independent, high-spirited, and alert are some of
the characteristics of the Yorkshire Terrier - one of the most
attractive breed of small dogs today. Originated in preindustrial
England by the serfs of the ruling class who were only allowed to keep
dogs of certain size (a size that was thought to be unfit for hunting,
an aristocracy privilege,) the serfs soon bred a dog that conformed to
the law, and yet, at the same time could secretly be used to hunt.
While the Yorkshire Terrier developed into a hardy, robust, and
excellent hunter, it is particularly popular with city dwellers who
found that this cheerful dog could adapt extremely well to urban
conditions. This easy to use manual contains everything about the
purchase, care, nutrition, breeding, behavior, and training of the
Yorkshire Terrier.
http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=12475608&bfpid=0812097505

The Yorkshire Terrier: An Owner's Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet By:
Marion Lane
Our Price: $11.99
Retail Price: $14.99
The Happy Healthy Pet series contains more pet-specific care information
than any other books of its kind on the market. Breed experts write
about not just the history and temperament of the pet, but about
specific illnesses the pet is prone to, and what the feeding and
grooming requirements are of that specific animal. Besides breed
experts, the dog books contain chapters by renowned professionals Dr.
Ian Dunbar (a behaviorist, trainer, veterinarian and author) and Bardi
McLennan (a longtime contributor to Dog Fancy magazine). The books are
full of info-packed tips and sidebars as well as nearly 100
professional-quality color photographs per title. They are designed to
be enjoyable to read and easy to learn from.
http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=12475608&bfpid=0876054777

Your Yorkshire Terrier's Life: Your Complete Guide to Raising Your Pet
from Puppy to Companion By: Joanne Howl (Editor)
Our Price: $13.49
Retail Price: $14.99
Your Yorkshire Terrier's Life presents the crucial information owners
need to establish a healthy, happy, and successful relationship with
their Yorkshire Terrier--for life! From selecting the perfect puppy and
socializing him properly to making sure he has the correct food and
care, this book examines the critical issues you need to consider in
making a Yorkie part of your family.
http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=12475608&bfpid=0761525351

Rescue Groups:
Doxie Haven
http://www.freenet.tlh.fl.us/~harrison/

Save Our Small Dogs
http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/sosdogs.html

National Maltese and Small Dog Rescue Alliance (TX)
http://www.malteseall.com/

Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue (US)
http://www.yorkshireterrierrescue.com/

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THE TAIL END
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"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the
dog does."
-- Christopher Morley