What it's like to be a Dog..(Day 1)

Yea, I've been called several things before including a dog.."You Dog!"  Now I know what it's like to be one, well not literally, but I've learned alot thus far in Alexandra Horowitz's Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know

A detailed account of the origins of a dog, a dogs umwelt, breeds, difference between a wolf and a dog (they're very quite different), learning habits, dog-body language ( somethings aren't always as they seem)  types of punishments for bad behavior and that's just in the first few chapters. Interesting book to say the least.

Why would I read such a book? Well, a conversation on the topic of searching for a pet lead me to this book and I thank the person who recommended it.

Now you may not agree with all that Horowitz accounts for in her book, everything is up for interpretation, but she does come with  credibility: PhD in cognitive science at Univ. of California- San Diego and has studied the cognition of humans, rhinoceroses, bonobos and dogs. She now teaches psychology at Columbia University. (if I want a rhinoceros for a pet, I'll know whom to ask)

So I'm on a journey for a dog. Granted, I've not garnered the courage to add a four legged roommate to my home, but  more research may strengthen my resolve to do so.

Now, I've had my fair share of canines in my life. It all started with Pepper, an ADD Chihuahua who ran around the house as if he was plugged in, he never stopped running ( we should've named him Forrest Gump!). Next was Frisky, a wiener dog or dachshund which Horowitz footnotes in her book can be quite the aggressive type dog  which may not be commonly known for a dachshund,  as it  can easily be  " <stashed> away in a tote bag"  I don't recall any aggression out of Frisky. Then there was a set of Beagle pups, one was affectionately known as Snoopy and the name of his lovable counterpart escapes me. Chico was next, which I believe was a border collie and, I'm old in terms of dog years ( is it 7 times the # of years old?) and can't quite recall if that was the last four legged creature to habitat my childhood home. 

All that history leads me to selecting a breed and name of dog...Meet Udall the fictitious (for the time being)  Bulldawg. Why a bulldog you may ask? Well, I'm in search of a low maintenance dog , relatively speaking, essentially  one-step up from a stuffed animal. The canine investigation thus far, both hands on and literature, has pointed me towards my selection. Plus they look damn cool.

So I continue on with my research and the reading of  Horowitz's book.  It may lead me down a path of chewed furniture, stained carpet, slob, drool and the unenviable task of picking up after the dogs "business", but it'll be a fun and interesting journey. Until next time, I'm dog-earring the book and leaving you with these questions, open for comments:

Your favorite pet and it's name?

Read any dog or pet books, if so, what were they?