Dog Pessimists

I've thought “dog” and “happy” were synonymous. My dogs show a range of emotions from in a good mood, to insane with joy. Dogs think the simplest things—a dish of water, the same old food day after day, a leash appearing from the closet—are reasons for rejoicing.

But science knows how to blow up our cherished beliefs. British researchers have recently reported that some dogs, like humans, are pessimists. Those dogs look at life as a bowl half or even completely empty.

The researchers placed bowls in two rooms. One bowl contained food, while another was empty. After the dogs understood that bowls could sometimes be empty and sometimes full, they began to place bowls in other locations. Dogs that quickly raced to the new locations were optimistic, researchers thought, and those that didn't were judged to be pessimistic. Half the dogs made the pessimist category.

The researchers also observed that the pessimistic dogs were more apt to act out when left alone. So fear may have been a part of their reaction.

The study involved only 24 dogs, who lived in shelters. That half of shelter dogs behaved as optimists may say something about the stubborn hopefulness of canines. Maybe the scientists should try again, using more dogs and ones who live in families. Only, the researchers might find themselves overwhelmed by bouncing, licking, tail-waggers.

In Memory of Mac

When Mac, short for Macintosh, was a year old, he achieved some fame when his person, Jana, posted a story titled “The Welcome” on a Border collie site. Told from the dog's point of view, the story described Mac's reaction to Jana arriving home. Jana nailed it for dog lovers, who saw their own dogs in Mac's insane joy at his person's return.

The story spread to other Internet sites, attributed to anonymous, but Jana's friends tried to correct that and give her credit. (To read it, scroll halfway down at http://www.cbcr.org/archive_features/.)

Jana also wrote stories for the Carolina Border collie rescue organization, about dogs available for adoption and their histories.

Jana and Mac linked up when he was eight weeks old. Jana said he didn't herd with “the big hats,” but one time won a herding trial, beating 80 other dogs.

In late August, Mac died unexpectantly; the vet believed he had a tumor on his big, kind heart. Jana and her husband mourn and miss him, as does their female Border.

Rescue Me

Sherlock, a beautifully marked Sheltie, was valued by his former owners for the breeding fees he brought their way.

When writer/librarian/dog advocate Bobbie Pyron and her husband, Todd, brought Sherlock home after adopting him through a Sheltie rescue organization, the dog blundered into walls and doors and Bobbie feared he had poor vision. But her veterinarian told her the problem is common to puppy mill dogs who have spent their days in crates.



Sherlock gets around fine now, and happily walks nature trails near Bobbie and Todd's home in Park City, Utah, along with the family's two other personable and well-adjusted Shelties, also rescue dogs.

Beau is the kind of Border collie who looks deeply into a person's eyes and soul, creating an instant bond. He was fostered by Tanya Cain, the president of Western Border Collie Rescue, who found she couldn't part with him. She calls Beau her “guilty pleasure.”

Max is a sable Border collie who greeted people at the Western Border Collie Rescue table at the Soldier Hollow Classic dog trials, and looked happy when children seized and hugged him. He will find a home where people treasure his easy- going nature and friendliness.

A handsome, rescued female looks like she could trot off to a dog show and win first place. Her adoptive family calls her “the Border Barbie.”

Jim, a seven-month-old pup, has been fostered by Debbie and Kevin Gardiner, who have three other Borders. No one wants to speculate why Jim had a broken leg that never was treated, and healed incorrectly. It is known that Jim lived feral for a time on the desert in Southeastern Idaho. The rescue organization is paying to have a surgery on the leg.

During the summer, I met dozens of rescue dogs—mutts and identifiable breeds—who have turned out to be wonderful additions to the families where they were placed. Many families believe rescue dogs remain permanently grateful for their new, stable homes.

With such great dogs available, the question comes up—why do people still buy from breeders, some of whom employ terrible practices?