by Robert Missale

Created on: January 20, 2009   Last Updated: April 24, 2010

Dogs are truly man's best friend! They have lived among humans well before the dawn of civilization(some estimates go back as far as 40,000 years!). Today, dogs are much more than just our beloved companions. While most of us have heard of seeing eye dogs for the blind, did you know that there are also hearing dogs for the deaf? These dogs can alert their owners to the ring of a doorbell, the sound of the alarm clock in the morning, and more serious sounds such as that of a smoke alarm. And dogs are also trained to assist the handicapped in many other ways.

Dogs and wolves probably descended from a creature known as "tomarctus"(literally: almost a bear) a long extinct animal that fossil records show lived between 16 and 23 million years ago. A more direct ancestor would probably be canis lupis: the grey wolf. The egyptian saluki (noble one) is probably the oldest known breed of dog. The egyptians bred them as hunting dogs. there is no species of animal that possess such an incredible diversity as the modern domestic dog. From the toy poodle to the mighty mastiff, and every breed in between, of all shapes and sizes.

But how did the dog manage to win the special place it occupies among humans over the wolves, coyotes, jackals, and foxes from which it evidently sprang? Dogs possess a remarkable ability to adaptto the needs of people. In fact, dogs were the first animals to take up residence among humans, and they are found among all cultures, and on every continent except australia . Whether as watchdogs, alerting their masters to an intruder by barking (surprise there!),or as hounds, assisting early peoples in their hunting by their formidable ability to track prey by scent alone. and they were often relied upon for hauling goods and transportation.

Dogs are also uniquely sensitive to people's emotions. They are highly social and playful. When your dog first becomes a member of the family, especially as a puppy, he needs to understand what behaviour is acceptable and what is not. It can be highly stressful for a dog to receive mixed signals from their owners when they misbehave. It is generally speaking, a bad idea to give your dog human food. Table scraps are usually too fatty for your dog to digest well. Dogs need exercise as well. And when your dog seems to panting from exhaustion, keep in mind that dogs sweat through their tongues. A dogs sense of smell is on average, about 10,000 times that of a human. So even though it may be rude of fido to be sniffing your guests, remember that he is gathering a great deal of information through his nose!

Faithful companion, loyal friend,devoted ally,they have been called the gods of frolic.yes, there is nothing quite like a dog. Woof! Woof!

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