We see people walking by our house all the time with their dogs but I have never stopped to do a census on the dog population here but by all estimates many people have dogs. Do they love their dogs? Was it a result of pandemic times? Did they buy, adopt or inherit from family? Did we acquire our dog (s) for protection or for companionship? Many of us would say yes to these questions.
Personally speaking, I was never into dogs. Yes, they were there, friends and family pets, and if called upon by a curious canine, I might pet them or scratch their heads. They might wag their tail or walk away knowing I had little interest. Some might even smile, and a few might even growl. It would be the growl that gave me reason to stay away from the relative or friend. The smiles, however, did not move me. It wasn’t until Boyz Jones came into my life when all of my feelings towards the canine changed.
What goes on in the minds of our canine friends? What was it about Boyz Jones that made me a huge dog fan, curious about how and why I came to love this furry bundle of joy and energy. Where did he get so much energy and charm?
From the first moment we met him at a condo in New Westminister and our eyes met the beginnings were, and still are a mystery, filled with curiosity. Love at first sight. I read a bit and learned from my dear life companion with whom I have shared the last 30 years of my life. My wife had pitbull terriers and she knew a great deal about dog behaviour. But here was a schipperke, a rare and special breed from Belguim.
Science has played a major role in helping to solve an ancient riddle: How did dogs evolve from wolves? When did they become domesticated? How did dogs become many types from the wild wolf? I recently picked up a National Geographic magazine on BC ferries published in 2023. The articles were fun to read yet were abundantly informative and based on scientific data, such that one could draw their own conclusions.
For example, the oldest dog fossil is believed to be over 14, 000 years old. The dogs remains were found buried with those of a man and woman in present day Germany. Scientists concluded that the humans cared for the dog who died of distemper. And they also concluded that the dog buried with the humans signified a high level of regard and hints at the eventual transition from wild animal to pampered pet.
Similarly, dog bones were found in 1970 near the Illinois and Missouri border that date back 10,000 years and large dogs were found in Alaska dating back to 10, 150 years. DNA analysis determined the dogs to be domesticated and were closely related to the Siberian husky. And the research gets more interesting when science looked at the time of dog domestication. Fossils found in Siberia and Belguim are dated back 23,000- 36,000 years. Man that is dope! This could mean that Boyz Jones has a very long lineage.
An ancient Chinese emperor, Kublai Kahn was said to have over 5,000 Mastifs. Queen Victoria had multiple canine companions throughout her long reign; spaniels, greyhounds, dachshunds, collies, and pugs. Her many subjects followed her lead. Queen Elizabth made the Corgis popular and there are a few on Haida Gwaii.
In Canada, 38.1% of households own dogs. Life and love with our canine companions have reinforced the human dog bond. Although they do not speak to us, the dog has human like expressions that communicate clear messages to us. Dogs can move their eyebrows up and down like us. Dogs make deliberate facial to communicate with us as they gaze into our eyes, wanting a treat, or needing to go for a potty.
Our dogs love us almost unconditionally. As long as we listen and watch. As long as we provide them with shelter food and warmth, they are there to help us along the way. If you feel bad, sick or sad, your dog knows it and can help you feel better.
Take your dog for regular walks. When they go and sit at the door take them across the road for a potty or poop. They are communicating with you and if you react, communication gets better and can bring your relationship to new heights. Your dog loves you as they have no one else but you.
Mind you, living with dogs takes patience and some training. Dogs can feel anxious and will act up. Dogs aren’t born knowing that we prefer them to pee and poop outside. If we demonstrate that from day one, it becomes a habit. That is training the pet from day one. Regular exercise and mental stimulation is essential to a well-behaved dog. Teach them not to jump up on people, to not chew your shoes and biting and mouthing as a pup, avoid food and resource guarding by letting them share a dog bowl while still a pup, and aggression towards other dogs by letting them smell each other on outings. Leash your do if he is a little bit of a Houdini.
Remember that a dogs noseprint is as unique as a human fingerprint. His sense of smell remains his constant strength. Unlike the loss of eyesight and hearing, a dogs olfactory sense remains strong often creating in your canine the ability to make mental maps of his surroundings. Genetic factors are mostly to blame for the loss of sight and hearing. Watch for the signs.
Such is the secret life of dogs we never knew. Go find the magazine online, or buy the book. Boyz Jones is our proof that a well-trained canine is a family treasure.
