We love dogs and we know you do, too! Here are some interesting dog facts for this rainy Massachusetts Friday:
• Some stray Russian dogs have figured out how to use the subway system in order to travel to more populated areas in search of food.
• Dogs are capable of understanding up to 250 words and gestures, can count up to five and can perform simple mathematical calculations.
• The average dog is as intelligent as a two-year-old child.
• Dogs don’t enjoy being hugged as much as humans and other primates. Canines interpret putting a limb over another animal as a sign of dominance.
• Two stray dogs in Afghanistan saved 50 American soliders. A Facebook group raised $21,000 to bring the dogs back to the US and reunite them with the soldiers.
• The Beatles song “A day in the Life” has an extra high-pitched whistle, audible only to dogs. It was recorded by Paul McCartney for the enjoyment of his Shetland sheepdog.
• One of Michael Vick’s former fighting dogs, Leo, went on to be a therapy dog who comforted dying children.
• In ancient China, an emperor’s last line of defense was a small Pekingese dog literally hidden up his sleeve.
• Spiked dog collars were invented in ancient Greece and were originally designed to protect dog’s throats from wolf attacks.
• ‘Frito Feet’ is the name of the phenomenon in which the bacteria on a dog’s paws cause them to smell like corn chips. Because a pup’s feet are in constant contact with the ground, they pick up tons of microorganisms in their paws. When dogs cool off by sweating through the pads of their feet, the combo of moisture and bacteria releases a nutty, popcorn-like aroma. Basically it’s doggy body odor
• Dogs drink water by forming the back of their tongue into a mini cup
