The Fabulous Nose of a Dog

 By Florida Bill 

                                          Our dogs are incredible Cairn terriers who like nothing better than to take a walk and check out the terrain.  Their noses are an incomparable machine and they go to work, sorting out the various smells and odors.  Sometimes, the fouler, the better; so foul, in fact, that rolling in it is a compulsion that only a leash can forestall.  One dog aficionado has noted that canines have a "bizarre obsession with a pile of poo."
                                             They enjoy sniffing the earth and foreign objects and I wonder what is so interesting to them?  As to us humans, we pick up a scent here and there.  Gasoline or the pleasant aroma of a bakery can catch our attention.  But the noses of our four-footed friends can really put us to shame when it comes to picking up a wafting aroma or a down-in-the-ground miasma.   Some experts put the ratio at about 100,000 to one in terms of superior canine sniffing power.  Others say a million to one is more like it.          
              

                              When dogs sniff something, they are not just registering a smell, they get an entire story.  Sometimes it is so good that they will literally tremble in excitement as they sniff every molecule. 
                             What they are smelling is pheromone (a chemical substance)  which is not only found in the urine and fecal deposits, but also on skin and fur.  From this they can tell a lot about another dog, including if they are male or female, what they ate, where they have been, what they have touched, if they are ready to mate, if they have recently given birth, or had a false pregnancy, and what mood they are in.
                                              Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology and a prize winning dog trainer and authority on dog intelligence, is pretty much the final word for me when it comes to scoping out what our friendly canines can do. He explains that for dogs and certainly for our Cairns, sniffing is like reading the headlines in a newspaper.  Dog urine is like a gossip column and the sniffers are able to pick up all kinds of hot info.  Could be that some young lady barker is in heat or that other virile newcomers are hanging around?                        
                                               How sensitive is that dog nose?  In one test, it has been reported that a single mouse was placed in a one-acre field and it took a few beagles less than a minute to nail the tiny rodent. Now that is smelling.  Interestingly, Coren notes that Scottish terriers are not at the top of the list when it comes to tracking but they can certainly hold their own.
                                                Dogs can detect some odors in parts per trillion, dog scientists say. The federal government often speaks in trillions of dollars so we know that is a mighty big number. In her book, "Inside of a Dog," Alexandra Horowitz, a dog-cognition researcher, has written that where a coffee drinker might notice the addition of teaspoon of sugar to his brew, a dog could detect a teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water. Another dog expert has reported that the "foodaholic" canine is able to catch a whiff of one rotten apple in two million barrels.                                                                                              The really great sniffers are a familiar sight at airports.  They are  trained to spot illegal substances, including explosives, in the air, on persons or in luggage.  Loyal noses go side by side with our soldiers and with policemen sniffing and warning of danger in one way or another. And dogs have been known to identify the beginning of diseases when no equipment in the hands of a physician can find anything amiss and they are often seen at the sites of disasters helping to find corpses. How could they not have our respect and admiration--and maybe a little envy from a species unable to sniff out all but the most obvious odors?
                                                   Maybe the Cairn's nose won't match up to a Beagle or some other police dogs or trackers,  but their noses are still a quivering hot spot and they know when there is food in the air or a treat in a pocket.  Those ears go up and the tail stands tall.  The Cairn's sense of smell is not a million times better than ours, maybe only a couple hundred thousand times as good. 
                                                   So what about that Cairn nose in our house?  Naturally, a good long walk is the place where  Sammi Smith  and Wendy will glean information from the ground, hydrants, telephone poles, even a blade of grass. But inside our home, we add another sniffing opportunity:  we occasionally play the game "where is it?"  In that game we give our dogs a whiff of a treat, and then close them off while we carefully hide the treasures.  We pick the room, but don't tell them, we just leave all doors open.  When they get the command, 'Where is it" they take off and they do not stop until the treat is gobbled down.  The hunt is frantic, and usually over in just a few minutes.  
                                                 Do you think that your welcoming Cairn can detect with his nose any fear or sadness or anxiety?  Researchers say that when you are down, your four-footed buddy will know.  Such human conditions are accompanied by increased heart rate and blood flow which sends tell-tale chemicals to the skin surface.  A smile might convince some associates that you are at the top of your game, but you won't fool your best friend and his handsome black nose as he extends his greeting.    
                                                 We love to see examples of our cairns' sensitive noses, but sniffing and hunting are just part of their canine charms. They can amuse in a million ways--chasing a tennis ball to the point of exhaustion, drooling over the same old boring kibble day after day, snuggling up to us on the couch in the evening. But the best part of having a dog is the lifetime of companionship they provide. I cannot imagine a home without a dog.  For me, I'll take the Cairn Terrier with the inquisitive look and the carrot tail.  Do you agree?  

                                                 XXX                                        

                

                                          

                                             

Weird Tony Weiner

  By Florida Bill 

                                      I cannot decide whether I should laugh out loud or just feel sorry for former Congressman Anthony Weiner, whose compulsion to display his "package" on the Twitter air waves has kept him in the headlines.
                                      His wife, Huma Abedin, a Muslim, has now announced that she has had enough of her Jewish husband and his Internet hobby, which is embarrassing and infuriating her.  As a Muslim, she has been patient and understanding of her husband and his sexting of other women, but now with his third and latest episode, she has finally declared the marriage over. 
                                       Besides, Abedin, 40, has other big problems as she dodges investigations into her affiliation with Hillary Clinton, for whom she has worked for many years. She is considered Clinton's closest and most trusted aid.  Also, she has been a target of conservative politicians who question her relationship with members of the Muslim Brotherhood and her belief in the superiority of Sharia law; and the possible sharing of confidential information in her possession with her free wheeling husband.                                                 
                                        Weiner, 51, and Abedin were married in 2010 with former President Clinton presiding over the ceremony.   At that time, Weiner was a six-term Congressman from New York's 9th Congressional district  and was so prominent in Democratic circles that he appeared headed for leadership positions in the House of  Representatives. A glib talker, fast on his feet and adept at the art of repartee, he appeared frequently as a guest on TV panel and talk shows.  On Fox News,  he sparred with Big Dog Bill O'Reilly.  He also was seen on CNN where he was treated affectionately as an influential Democrat.  Many believed that he was a cinch to become mayor of the Big Apple. 
                                         In 2011, Weiner's hobby of communicating with women, most of whom he had never met, became national news.  At a time when his wife was pregnant, he was texting photos of his genitals to some six different women.  He initially argued that it was all a mistake and that the texter was not him.  Later, however, he acknowledged his indiscretions and resigned from Congress. His wife, who apparently took some counsel from her boss, Mrs. Clinton, forgave him and said that the marriage would continue.
                                         In 2013, Weiner announced that he was a candidate for mayor of New York. A number of loyal democrats  lined up behind him, prepared to forget his past Twitter stumbles.  But his candidacy fell with a thud when it was discovered that he was still texting pictures of his privates to sundry women. The fact that he was cleverly using the alias, "Carlos Danger," a name suggestive of a Latin-American lothario, didn't save him from once again sinking his political career.  Abedin again said she would forgive him and Weiner said that he would seek therapy to deal with his urge to Twitter and send out lewd selfies. 
                                          His texting continued, and in August, 2016,  news of his twitter pictures again became the subject of the talking heads.   In this episode, it was leaked that Weiner had sent out a photo to a 40-year-old divorcee with whom he had been corresponding for months.   This selfie depicted the ex-Congressman on a bed with his jockey shorts on, covering a bulging crotch. Alongside him was his 4-year-old son, Jordan, covered by a blanket.  Upon receiving the photo, the woman responded to Anthony by saying, "are you aware that your wiener is showing?" 
                                         That was too much for Abedin. With the knowledge and approval of her close friend and employer, Mrs. Clinton, the Democratic nominee for President, she declared the marriage was over. It is probably not surprising that as the election looms just a few months away, with her boss leading handily, and future prospects of a rewarding job in the White House, she would decide she had had enough.
                                       "I have made the decision to separate from my husband. Anthony and I remain devoted to doing what is best for our son, who is the light of our lives," she said in a statement she released shortly after the news broke.
                                          As I mentioned, the Weiner antics are amusing, but sad.  Judging from his behavior over the past five years, it is predictable that he will not be giving up his hobby anytime soon. It seems there are always women around who enjoy that sort of flirting and twittering with sexy talk and pictures. His fall from the right kind of prominence makes you wonder about what is going on in his head. 
                                          Who knows what the future holds for the enigmatic Weiner?  Will he and Abedin reconcile? Possibly.  After all, some Muslim men have many wives and mistresses, and in the Islamic faith, such is not forbidden. (Osama Bin Laden had about 10 wives and 25 children).
                                          Will Weiner ever become a candidate to recapture his seat in Congress, which he held for many years?  Will he host his own TV talk show? Don't bet against it. 

                                                                      XXX

                                                             

                                   

Cairns and beyond the Sunset

  By Florida Bill 

                           "To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious
                                         afternoon is to be back in Eden where doing
                                         nothing was not boring --it was peace."  


                                     Recently I saw a short piece on a Cairn terrier page on Facebook about a 17-year-old special little guy named Sparky who would be leaving his home soon for places unknown and beyond.  Left behind with indescribable sadness and grief will be the human family who raised and loved him.  But is it over for certain?  Is there a chance that somehow, somewhere, there could be a reunion? Is the thought too far-fetched?
                                     There is some very good authority telling us that there will be a happy reunion with that faithful little fur head at that glorious meeting ground known as the Rainbow Bridge, gateway to Heaven.  The authority has come our way from Pope Francis who made a visit to the United States in 2015.  We heard his voice  calling for peace in the world and for love and respect for all men.  But in another  message, the Pontiff observed that our four-footed friends are not lost forever and that "Paradise is open to all of God's creatures."   Really good news for us dog people.
                                    Actually,  Francis is not the only Pope who has said that beloved pets do not make a permanent departure.   Some years ago, Pope Paul VI, while consoling a broken-hearted little boy whose pet had died, told the youngster that he would again see his dog in the "eternity of Christ."  His words were very comforting to the boy;  and yes, those words resonate in the same way with us old timers whose time on this earth is coming to an end. We are like our dogs, "short timers."  And it is good to know that religious experts confirm our long-held belief that we will be reunited with every dog we've ever had when that time comes. 
                                  The great American icon and humorist Will Rogers was a man who had a special affinity for four-footed family members.   And who knows, Will may this day tossing the ball to his canine friend up there beyond the clouds. Before he left, he was quoted as saying that "if there are no dogs in heaven, then, when I die,  I want to go where they went."    And of course, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of "The Secret Life of Dogs," was asked in an interview if she believed that all dogs go to heaven. Her answer was logic at its best: "If there are no dogs there, it is not heaven."
                                   Just what is this story and legend of the Rainbow Bridge?  Neither Pope Francis or Pope Paul mentioned the legend of the bridge, but I am betting that they are subscribers to it.   Accordingly, when a pet dies, it goes to a meadow and is restored to perfect health, and spends its days running and playing with other dogs, with plenty of fresh food and water. The only thing that is not perfect is that he misses his owner left behind on earth.  When the owner dies, he approaches the meadow and it is at that moment that his pet sees him and their eyes meet.  Excited, the pet, with his little legs churning at top speed,  runs to the owner's outstretched arms  licking his face in joy, and side by side they cross the Rainbow Bridge together into heaven, never again to be separated.  I love that  story, and yes, Sparky will be among the residents having fun and waiting.
                                   My wife and I have two Cairns, Sammi Smith, 8, and Wendy 6.  We don't travel too much because we are a bit resistant to leaving "the kids" behind at a kennel.  Suffice it to say, they occupy an important spot in our household. Often I will look into those faces and wonder who is running things; we or them; and then I realize, it is "them."
                                    Years ago I was a soldier in Korea for more than a year.  Soldiers were permitted to have a dog, and I had a small four footed pal  I named 'Maggie."  She ate the leftovers from meals and hung out in my barracks, finding security in the sleeping bag on my bed.  When I walked guard duty, she was there helping to keep watch during the black of night. When my tour in Far East Asia came to a close, I left in the back of an Army truck and my final vision of the post was "Maggie" sitting by the side of the road.  Unable to take Maggie with me, I often wonder about her final days, and, as a believer in the hereafter and the legend of the bridge, am confidant that I will  see that little lady again.
                                     As to "Sparky" who provided 15 years of unconditional affection and good times for his family, he may not be checking out permanently.  'Til then Sparky.   
                                   
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The Incredible Cairn Terrier

                                     "There's a time to nap 
                                          and a time to play.
                                       And its all a part of
                                          the Cairn's day." 
                                                           F.B.
                        By Florida Bill                           
       
                   Why does watching a dog be a dog fill one with so much happiness and relaxation?
                    There is an old Missouri lawyer who has observed that in this selfish world, man has one absolutely unselfish friend who never deserts. And that friend has four legs.  And of course for me, I am speaking of the famous hunter from the Scottish Isles, the Cairn Terrier.                     
                         The Cairn is a native of Scotland, and its presence can be traced back to the commonwealth for hundreds of years.  Of course, the dog itself, part of the family of wolves, is said to have been prancing about the earth for thousands of years. In the cave man era, sketches of dogs have been discerned by archaeologists and geologists on the walls of caverns. The book of Genesis tells us of the creation of man and of all life, so that for sure is when the Cairn or its forefathers made their initial appearance on Planet Earth.  
                       The Cairn is a remarkable creature, an ineffable canine, you might say.  While all dogs are special in their way, it is the inquisitive Cairn which has captured our affection and approbation above all of the other four-footed friends. It gained great status from the 1939 movie, "The Wizard of Oz."  That film  was the best picture of that year and I think it won because of a black Cairn named "Toto," with Judy Garland as a part of the supporting cast.                            
                      Generally, the Cairn weighs in at around 12-16 pounds, black, brindle or wheaten in color.   They have been used, and still are I am told, by Scottish farmers and developers to root out any mice and other small critters who are unwelcome in the Scottish mounds known as cairns.  So if a Cairn terrier smells or spots a mouse or a mole; a palmetto bug or a lizard,  or any other small critter hanging about the rock and earth piles, they are toast.   The terrier will nose about the hidden passageways in the cairns and sometimes below earth for these intruders and when they find them, it is goodbye to the unwelcome critter, and a special conquest for the happy Cairn. 
                      And of course they've carried this special skill with them through the ages.  
                      Cairns are affectionate, even cuddly on occasions, but generally are not given to backing away, even when the smart thing would be to do so.  Such is the case in Florida with the cursed Bufo toad, an ugly dude that can get as big as a dessert plate.  The toad is not uncommon as it hops about the mud and muck and grass grabbing bugs and showing up most frequently after rain and when the air is muggy.  But when a Cairn spots one, he strikes and the toad exudes a residue which is poisonous to dogs.  So, if your dog nails a Bufo,  wash his mouth out with a rag  and hustle him off to the vet for a check up and treatment if necessary. Don't use a hose on his mouth as that can push the poison down his gullet, aggravating the situation. 
                     But in any case, little critters beware.  I remember when our male Cairn, Andrew, spotted a black garter snake slithering about our yard.  He pounced immediately, grabbed that fellow with powerful teeth and shook him so frantically that the snake gave up and left this world.  Andrew pranced about with the prize in his mouth for a bit, to the horror of my wife, Christine, before finally abandoning the limp carcass.
                   Have you ever wondered just what is tumbling about in the head of your four-footed pal who shares your home with you and your family?  He does not like it if you blow in his face, but he cannot wait to get his head out the window of the family auto.  And he always seems to know when there is a storm headed our way.
                     Whether or not they think, that is a question to which I have seen no definitive answer. But then, what is the definition of "think?"  Is it knowing what time the food bowl is supposed to hit the floor? Is it developing a vocabulary of words like "outside," and "suppertime," and "ball?" Is it learning to roll over, or sit up or getting excited when the leash comes out? Dog owners know the answer to that age old question and some even swear they can see the wheels turning in their dogs' heads as they calculate the best way to retrieve a toy that rolled out of reach.
                    Beware of the canine critics who believe that the affection and respect dog lovers show for their pets is way over the top.  They are just animals, pure and simple, they say; no big deal.  No ego; no feelings; no brain and no soul.  To that I say wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong again. As to a soul, at least two Popes have said that they will be in heaven with us.  But then,  as others have opined, "If dogs are not in heaven--then it isn't really heaven."
                     I say there is plenty in that little furry head,  but to really know, or kinda know, you will need to become familiar with bark, tail, ear, and smell language. You may be bilingual or trilingual in man's world,  but in canine circles, it is the body language of your fur-headed friend that is important in communicating.    

                     There are numerous books dealing with the minds of our four-footed friends, who hang around our homes and who gladly put up with us as the source of their next meal and treat.  For sure, even the smallest treat will elicit appreciation and satisfaction from our pets, who, let's admit it, tend to be a bit "food-centric." Perhaps it is a hangover from their ancestors' need to survive. When we dog parents go out to eat, a doggie bag is routine, yet essential, and there is super appreciation awaiting our return home.                 
                     There is no doubt cairns--and most breeds of dog--speak plenty. Ours certainly do more than their share of dog talking, otherwise known as nonstop yapping.  But when it comes to true communication, there is no doubt in any dog lover's mind that they can get their point across. Look at police and service dogs.

                   Dogs certainly have a memory. Our  smaller lady, Sammi, is dedicated to the tennis ball, and has incredible fascination and affection for that lime green bouncer.  She sets it down when she hits the hay for the night rest, but it is her first thought in the morning, after her breakfast, and backyard business, that is.  One of our dogs would from time to time bury a bone alongside a tree in the yard.  When she decided she wanted it, even a couple of days later, she would head to the burial grounds, retrieve her treasure and begin working it over.  Memory?  For sure.  Much more than instinct here. 
                     I have been fascinated with the book, "How to Speak to a Dog" by the outstanding professor of psychology, Stanley Coren. Its great reading, and if you like your Cairn, or any dog, take a look. 
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The Baltimore Debacle

    By Florida Bill 

                             The Baltimore spotlight has been turned around a bit and now is focusing upon State's Atty Marilyn James Mosby for her glaring incompetence in bringing charges ranging from assault to murder against six Baltimore policemen doing their job. 
                              The policemen have been exonerated of all wrongdoing in their collaring and arrest of a 25-year-old thug with a long arrest record in April, 2015.  Tragically, the suspect, Freddie Gray, suffered a fatal spinal injury as the police were transporting him in a van to a police station for processing. 
                                When word of Gray's arrest and death became known, Baltimore citizens took to the streets with cries of police brutality against African Americans and chants of "Black Lives Matter."  Damage in the millions was caused to 285 businesses and 30 private homes. Fifteen policemen were injured, and structures were burned.  The National Guard was called out by state authorities to maintain order. 
                                  Responding to the screaming citizens and amid the violence, the baby-faced Mosby spoke out and denounced the police for their mistreatment and bias against Gray.  She promised justice, and said she felt the pain of the family that had lost a son by policemen inspired by racial hate.  
                                  Gray was well known to local police, and had been arrested more than 20 times for burglary and the distribution and possession of illegal drugs. He was collared on a street corner in possession of an illegal knife.   Six officers, three of them white and three who were African American,  participated in the arrest and transport of Gray and they became the target of protests claiming police brutality motivated by racial bias toward African Americans   
                                 The diminutive Mosby, who was elected to the office in a surprise upset in 2014, played to the crowd and fired up the racial animus.  Denouncing the behavior of the six officers

Mosby told the crowd: "I have heard your call for 'no justice, no peace.'"  
                                "Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man, and for those that are angry or hurt or have their own experience of injustice." The criminal justice system, she said, works disproportionately against communities of color. 
                            Portraying herself as a mother, the inexperienced  and incompetent Mosby declared that she could feel the pain of the family of the Grays who had now lost a son.
                             Stories of the brutality of the police against the helpless and innocent Gray blanketed the country.  Contact was made with Al Sharpton, the racial big dog, who predicted that he would lead a march on Washington in demonstration against the mistreatment of the Black man in Baltimore. 
                              Charges  ranging from assault to murder were lodged against the officers.  One was a lieutenant with 17 years on the force;  four were uniformed policemen with rookie credentials and one was an experienced woman who had just been recently promoted to sergeant.  Three officers were white and three were Black.  The most serious charges were lodged against Caesar Goodson who was driving the van which was carrying Gray to the police station.  Along with involuntary manslaughter, Goodson was charged with "second degree depraved heart murder" which means indifference to human life.
                               In the opening trial, a jury could not reach a verdict against one officer.  Subsequently, an African American judge acquitted three of the officers, and Mosby directed that all charges be dropped, and terminated further prosecutions.  She blamed the police for not thoroughly investigating the incident and the system, because it allowed the defendants to elect to be tried by a judge rather than by a jury.                             
                               Mosby's misapplication of the criminal law quickly became apparent.  Alan Dershowitz, a well known professor of law at Harvard University, said that "there is no question but that she she acted irresponsibly.  She acted politically. She acted too quickly, and the public ought to make her pay a price for seeking to distort justice." 
                              John F. Banzhaf III, a public interest law professor at George Washington University, has called for Mosby's disbarment and has said that he would be filing a complaint against her with the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission. He explained that she did not have probable cause to believe that there was sufficient admissible evidence to support a conviction of the officers, and that she made public statements regarding the case which were false.
                                Along with possible disbarment, Mosby is facing a variety of lawsuits filed by the policemen.  They include malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, false arrest and defamation.  Sgt. Alicia White was accused of murder even though she never touched Gray, according to Michael Glass, the officers' attorney.  
                                The episode in Baltimore which began in April,  2015, appears to be a repeat of the incident of the mid 2000s when three Duke University soccer players were falsely accused of raping a woman during a night of partying. The charges were bogus, but Durham county (N. Car) District Attorney Mike Nifong pursued the three athletes with mean-spirited determination, charging they had committed rape of an African American woman motivated by racial hate. In the investigation, Nifong disregarded or ignored exculpatory evidence and focused only upon obtaining convictions. Justice eventually prevailed and the athletes were exonerated.  Nifong's conduct came under scrutiny and he was adjudged to have lied to a judge, violated procedure and the canons of legal ethics and was disbarred.  

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