For many years, I was part of a small pack consisting of my wife, our dog Taylor, and me. Beautiful, smart, and enchanting, she always was a beloved pal. Of course I spoiled her, at least in the walk realm, taking her out three times a day. (But to be selfish, I am a devoted walker so needed little excuse to get out.) As we walked, I noticed that Taylor stopped regularly to take stock of her world. I likened this to reading a letter (she was a pre-texting pooch) and checking in on her community.
That is a good analogy (below). I had an acquaintance who, when a dog shoved its nose at him said "She's just readin' the news--figuring out where I've been, who I've been around, and what I've been doing"
I figure that my dogs' olfactory world is three dimensional and fine grained in the way our visual world is. My dogs love little more than chasing tennis balls. It is interesting to watch them search. When the ball is in motion they track it with their eyes and if they hear it hit the ground they will turn towards the sound. However, once the ball stops moving, they stop "looking" for it---at least as far as using their eyes. They scent the air and follow paths that seem intentional but not patterned. I often see them almost step on a ball that is obvious to me visually, but out of their perceptual range until they get a whiff of it. They don't even seem to try to see it with their eyes. I bet they could find a ball blindfolded--as long as it was stinky enough from use. In fact I can throw the ball away from them in the dead of night and they will eventually find it. Sure, they have better night vision than I do, but I don't think they rely on it to find the ball. Theirs is an olfactory world.
They have a more difficult time with a cold ball that hasn't been mouthed by them recently. Once it is warm and covered with fresh saliva it is easy for them to track. Sure, it is somewhat disgusting to us, but we are not dogs. Our own habits might be disgusting to us if they weren't our own.
D, I am so excited I found this space, and you in it! I remember Taylor! I remember how much she meant to you and M. Love, other D (from Garfield & the Burke & EarthCorps)
Been wondering how to get a hold of you recently, alas I have no contact info!
Like you I found Yong's "Immense World" as delightful perspective shifting read, and listen. I've shared my copy, bought extras to loan out and enjoyed the audiobook as well.
Have you heard the one. "Taking your dog for a walk and not letting them sniff around is like taking your friend to the museum blindfolded."
That is a good analogy (below). I had an acquaintance who, when a dog shoved its nose at him said "She's just readin' the news--figuring out where I've been, who I've been around, and what I've been doing"
I figure that my dogs' olfactory world is three dimensional and fine grained in the way our visual world is. My dogs love little more than chasing tennis balls. It is interesting to watch them search. When the ball is in motion they track it with their eyes and if they hear it hit the ground they will turn towards the sound. However, once the ball stops moving, they stop "looking" for it---at least as far as using their eyes. They scent the air and follow paths that seem intentional but not patterned. I often see them almost step on a ball that is obvious to me visually, but out of their perceptual range until they get a whiff of it. They don't even seem to try to see it with their eyes. I bet they could find a ball blindfolded--as long as it was stinky enough from use. In fact I can throw the ball away from them in the dead of night and they will eventually find it. Sure, they have better night vision than I do, but I don't think they rely on it to find the ball. Theirs is an olfactory world.
They have a more difficult time with a cold ball that hasn't been mouthed by them recently. Once it is warm and covered with fresh saliva it is easy for them to track. Sure, it is somewhat disgusting to us, but we are not dogs. Our own habits might be disgusting to us if they weren't our own.
D, I am so excited I found this space, and you in it! I remember Taylor! I remember how much she meant to you and M. Love, other D (from Garfield & the Burke & EarthCorps)
Been wondering how to get a hold of you recently, alas I have no contact info!
I can “see” that the book was a great inspiration and I appreciate the writing inspired. I needed the tune up. Thank you!
Like you I found Yong's "Immense World" as delightful perspective shifting read, and listen. I've shared my copy, bought extras to loan out and enjoyed the audiobook as well.