Vicky Barkes - The Dog Lovers Digest: Quotes, Facts, and Other Paw-sitively Adorable Words of Wisdom

First Skyhorse Publishing edition published 2014 by arrangement with Summersdale Publishers Ltd

First published in 2011 as The Dog Lovers Companion

Copyright Vicky Barkes 2013

Compilation copyright for additional images Skyhorse Publishing, Inc 2014

Title page by Hannah George

Illustrations by Kath Walker

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Mary Belibasakis
Cover photo: Thinkstock

Print ISBN: 978-1-62914-779-6
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62914-924-0

Printed in China

For Lottie the family dog, Fudge the radio dog, Milly the publishing dog, Elvis the artist dog, Rosie the babysitting dog, Phizzy the creative dog, Harvey the driving-and-jiving dog, Stumpy the seaside dog, Gus and Billy the Floridian dogs and Alfie the pub dog.

And in loving memory of Sally and Panda, the two greatest picnic raiders on the South Coast.

Contents

Introduction

Dogs are our link to paradise. They dont know evil or jealousy or discontent.

Milan Kundera

From feral beast to mans best friend, the domesticated wolf has been the object of human affection for centuries. As a well-loved pet, as a key member of the workforce or as vital support for those who depend on them for practical assistance in daily life, the dog is quite simply the most popular animal on the planet.

Featured in literature, film and television and even in advertising, they also play a crucial part in defending the country and in medical science, their brilliant noses detecting potentially lethal devices and tumours as easily as they might sniff out a butchers window in a bustling high street.

But it is for their company that we most appreciate dogs. Their loyalty, intelligence, affection and generosity of spirit, coupled with their sheer enthusiasm for life, makes them the very best of animal companions; through good times and bad a dog will remain a reassuring constant, wagging a merry tail to acknowledge your joys and providing a sympathetic furry neck into which to shed your tears.

Demanding little in return beyond food, love, walks and perhaps a ball to fetch, the rewards of dog ownership are rich. As the American comedienne and actress Gilda Radner observed: I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.

This book is a celebration of canine role models everywhere. I hope that you enjoy it as much as a particularly good walk with your dog.

Vicky Barkes
March 2011

No one can fully understand the meaning of love unless hes owned a dog.

Gene Hill

Leader of the Pack: From Wolf to Family Pet

A mountain with a wolf on it stands a little bit higher.

Russian proverb

After many years of debate scientists are now generally in agreement that dogs are directly descended from Canis lupus or, as it is more commonly known, the grey wolf. But while there is some evidence to suggest that dogs may have been domesticated as far back as 31,000 years ago, as to exactly when, or indeed why, dogs were tamed by man remains something of a mystery.

Researchers now believe that there are key reasons for dogs connecting with humans: firstly, dogs have become attuned to the behaviour of humans and domesticated by man over a period of many years; secondly, being bred for specific tasks, including herding and assisting people with disabilities, has given dogs a more in-depth understanding of the human psyche.

Ancient History or Shaggy Dog Story?

One of the oldest stories in the world involves a wolf, the dogs ancestor.

According to Roman mythology, the founders of Rome were Romulus and Remus. The story tells how the twin babies, supposedly sons of the god Mars and the priestess Rhea Silvia, were raised by a she-wolf.

It starts with their grandfather Numitor, who was king of the ancient city of Alba Longa, until he was deposed by his brother, Amulius. Numitors daughter, Rhea Silvia, was made a vestal virgin by Amulius, meaning that she was given elevated status: priestess of the goddess Vesta. Now, of course, a vestal virgin getting fruity with a fella is simply not on, but when Mars came along, looking all butch and hunky and giving her the glad eye, Rhea threw off her toga and abandoned herself to his lusty ministrations. Nine months later out popped the two bouncing baby boys.

Worried that the lads might grow up and pinch the throne from him, sneaky Amulius had them thrown into the River Tiber. But thanks to a freak tide the boys survived, and they washed up, feeling somewhat dazed and confused, on shore where they were found by a she-wolf. While you might have expected Mrs Wolf to lick her lips in anticipation of a hearty dinner, the maternally inclined beast chose to ignore nature in favour of nurture and she suckled the babes instead. Later found by a shepherd who brought them home to be raised by himself and his wife, Romulus and Remus grew into fine, strapping chaps.

As adults the twins would have revenge, and off they went to kill Amulius. This done, they reinstated Grandpa Numitor as king of Alba Longa, then decided they would found a town of their own. Choosing the place where the she-wolf had nursed them, Romulus began to build walls on the Palatine Hill. But Remus laughed at his efforts, saying that the walls were so low that he could easily jump over them. Highly irritated by his brothers jibes, Romulus promptly killed him, before continuing to build his new city. Rather egotistically he named it Roma, after himself.

I love my dog because...

I dont have to get the Hoover out following kids mealtimes!

Dogs by Numbers

Two dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic.

The expression three-dog night originated with the Eskimos. It signifies a particularly cold night, when you need to snuggle down with three dogs to stay cosy.