Why Do Dogs Have Cold, Wet Noses?

According to legend, God bestowed cold, wet noses on dogs for saving Noah's Ark from sinking. As the story goes, a dog was on patrol when he discovered water pouring through a hole in the hull. The quick-witted dog stuck his nose in the small hole to keep water from flooding in.

The second dog ran off to alert Noah, who quickly repaired the hole. The dogs saved the day. For their actions, God made a cold, wet nose the symbol of good health for a dog.

However, while this is often true, it is not the best barometer for health and should not be relied on. Although most people say a healthy nose should be "cold and wet," it is actually more appropriate to describe it as moist. A wet, runny nose is a sign of trouble and should be checked out by a veterinarian. By the way, a normal moist nose does not always mean a dog is healthy; if your dog has a moist nose but seems lethargic, or in discomfort or pain, consult your vet.

Conversely, a dry nose does not always signal illness. Dogs just waking from sleep often have a warm, relatively dry nose. And, some dogs, like bulldogs, just have dry noses that even chap and crack.

Despite what many people think, you cannot determine your dog's temperature by feeling his nose. A warm nose does not mean your dog has a fever. Only a properly used thermometer can tell you that. So remember, if your dog shows discomfort, lethargy or loss of appetite, you'll need to have your local vet examine him, regardless of the condition of his nose.

Best Cities for Dogs

The results of this survey were calculated from more than 2,000 readers voting on the Cesar Millan website.

The Results:

#1 San Diego

#2 Austin

#3 New York

#4 Vancouver

#5 Chicago

#6 Denver **

#7 Toronto

#8 Los Angeles

#9 Calgary

#10 Seattle

Top Ten Reasons why fans say these cities are the best:

• Lots of parks

• Pet-friendly restaurants

• Swimming areas (lakes/rivers/oceans) where dogs are allowed

• Training and Activities (Agility, Search and Rescue) for Dogs

• Great Weather

• Tons of resident pet lovers and pet owners

• Hiking and walking trails for dogs

• Lots of “green” areas and open spaces

• Quantity of off-leash dog parks

• Plenty of outdoor activities year-round

• Lots of nature

**Pit Bull ban in Denver

Styling!

Just when you think you have seen it all - something surprises you.

Seriously, you HAVE to see how these dogs are groomed.

This is unbelievable.

Poodles styling!

Why Dogs Bury Treats

Does your dog often bury her bones, treats or even her toys in your backyard? Ever find a bone under the pillow on your bed or behind the sofa cushions?

Most behaviors dogs practice today are rooted in their ancient, developmental history. In the early days of canines, food was not always plentiful. After a successful hunt, a dog would bury whatever he did not consume to keep it from scavengers and even other members of her pack. When she became hungry again or prey was sparse, she would return to her “stash” to consume the leftovers.

Sometimes the problem was that the hunt was so successful there was too much food to be consumed at one meal. An ancestral urge led the dogs to bury their food for leaner times. The dirt also helped keep the food fresher by keeping it from direct sunlight.

You might wonder why your dog still practices this behavior when you deliver her kibble to her food bowl every day! Old habits die hard and even our domesticated canines still experience the natural instinct to hoard. In fact, many species in the animal kingdom regularly practice hoarding behaviors. Squirrels hide acorns, leopards hang their kill from trees for later consumption, and even humans stock their pantry with canned goods and non-perishables.

Your dog’s modified hoarding instinct is normal. But if her burying urge becomes obsessive, try to limit her toys and treats to one or two items. After all, she can only play with one toy and chew one bone at a time.

More Summer Time Fun

What do city dogs do for fun in the summer time?

Here is a Lab amusing himself in the city.

Watch this video.

Hilarious, isn't it?

What if you dubbed out the laughter and added some music?

Kitesurfing Dog

It is a well known fact that dogs love to stick their heads in the wind out the car window.



Here is a dog that not only likes the wind in its face, but also the excitement of being on the water. This dog kitesurfs with its master!

Watch this incredible video.

Therapy Dog

I came across a book, Moments with Baxter by Melissa Joseph, which definitely pulls at your heart strings.

Baxter was a Therapy Dog at the San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine. Baxter helped hundreds of patients ease out of their lives with dignity and peace.

Melissa rescued Baxter when he was two years old. Her rehabilitation technique was to take Baxter everywhere with her which eventually lead to joining her as a hospice volunteer.

Melissa and Baxter
The book is a collection of 36 touching, true stories between Baxter and the hospice patients and their families and friends to whom he brought comfort and love. According to Melissa, Baxter had a calmness and a resolve about him, and an intuitiveness that would take the most intensely negative situation and literally turn it into complete serenity.

Watch a video about this very special dog at nineteen still helping others.