If you're looking for an intriguing dog-related book to pick up -- especially with the warm weather rolling in making reading a fabulous park pastime -- you may be interested in a lovely book of poems called Dogs of Brooklyn by Susie DeFord. Through Susie's poetry, you'll experience the borough of Brooklyn in a unique way that only the presence of dogs could bring to the surface. You'll love the light-hearted way she incorporates the whimsy of canine companions juxtaposed with the distinct feel of Brooklyn streets. 

We all know that our dogs are smart, and it's no surprise that they're considered part of the family, but there is so much that we don’t know about them. While the science of dogs is not a widespread one, according to Dogs Decoded a Nova documentary special, more and more scientists are studying exactly what is going on inside the canine brain.

Benji is, by far, the grooviest dog of the 70’s. Grossing nearly $40 million dollars after it’s release in 1974, Benji is one of the most successful dog movies of its era, and considered a classic in the genre. The story is centered on a scruffy, stray golden mutt named Benji who’s created a niche for himself with townspeople who give him food and love as he makes scheduled appearances at the deli, the post office and various back yards. Benji himself lives in an abandoned house just outside of town. Two children, who live in town, and their maid, (Paul, Cindy and Mary respectively), would like to take him in, but their father, Dr. Chapman, will not allow it for fear of germs, disease and because his brother was bit when they were younger. When a gang of outlaws takes up residence in Benji’s nest, he and his girlfriend (a poodle named Tiffany), hide upstairs and spy on the bell-bottomed crooks. It just so turns out that these gangsters have kidnapped Paul and Cindy. It’s up to Benji alone to help the police and Dr. Chapman find the kids and win him over and maybe have the home he’s always dreamed of. The film itself consists mostly of long yet moderately impressive shots of Benji travelling through the town, leaping up onto fences and the rooftop of his house, as well as doing tricks such as opening pudding cups with his teeth.

Picking a pet store is no day at the park. There is a lot to think about. You want the best for your little New Yorker and the best for New York itself. If you are looking for a help finding a local pet store that fits your needs  give some of these great independent boutiques a try.  

For more information please visit : NYC best Pet Stores

       

I've always had a deep appreciation for service dogs. They're amazing--not only do they provide companionship to those who need it most, they freakin' save lives on the regular. NYTimes.com had an article last week about dogs' intelligence. It opens with an introduction to Jet, a labradoodle service dog who can detect oncoming seizures, panic attacks, and even dropping blood sugar. He's been trained to stare at his owner until she recognizes the problem. He'll drop a toy in her lap to snap her out of a funk. He'll put his body right under her head to cushion her if she has a seizure. He sounds pretty darn smart. The article goes on to question our perception of doggie smarts, citing examples from both sides of the scientific research:

By giving dogs language learning and other tests devised for infants and toddlers, Dr. Coren [a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia] has come up with an intelligence ranking of 100 breeds, with border collies at No. 1. He says the most intelligent breeds (poodles, retrievers, Labradors and shepherds) can learn as many as 250 words, signs and signals, while the others can learn 165. The average dog is about as intellectually advanced as a 2- to 2-and-a-half-year-old child, he has concluded. [Emphasis mine.]

So there ya go! Border collie owners, congrats on having a wickedly smart pooch... Who is really only as smart as a 2 year old? Wait a minute, that doesn't seem right...

Clive D. L. Wynne, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Florida [...] argues that it is dogs’ deep sensitivity to the humans around them, their obedience under rigorous training, and their desire to please that can explain most of these capabilities. They may be deft at reading human cues — and teachable — but that doesn’t mean they are thinking like people, he says.

That makes a little more sense to me. Dogs will go to the ends of the earth for their owners, which is why we love them so very much, among other reasons... But is that all? Dogs are just eager to please and nothing else? Reader Alice Laby sent in a letter to the editor that hits the nail on the head, as far as I'm concerned.

As we know, dogs are highly intelligent animals. But to compare their intelligence to human intelligence is to do dogs a disservice. As we live in closer proximity to dogs than ever before, we are learning that they can be of service to humans in many ways, as your article mentions. But to say, as some researchers have, that a dog has the intelligence of an average 2-year-old child is missing the point and purpose of advanced service dog training. I’m sure many 2-year-old children are smarter than dogs in human terms, but can a 2-year-old human child detect seizures or onset of depression in a family member? They cannot, and most adult humans cannot either. Let research continue to promote ways that animals can help humans lead healthy lives, using the animals’ own brand of intelligence.

Right on, Alice! Dogs might work hard for their owners' love and affection and praise, but to reduce their actions exclusively to that need just seems a little short-sighted. But I'm a dog-lover, so I totally would say that, jeez...