Nova's Dogs Decoded

     Nova's Dog Decoded video was very interesting to me.  I could definetely agree with the video that dogs are able to read emotions.  For example, when I am sad or crying, I find that my puppy, Packer, will come and sit in my lap and look at me as if he's saying, "It's okay, Mom!"  When I'm happy and I come in the room excited, it's almost as if Packer can read that and he jumps up and down and then rolls on his back for me to scratch his belly.  While on his back, he smiles by showing his teeth as if to say, "I'm happy, Mom!"  I thought the video made a good point by discussing how close we are with our dogs.  They are treated as a part of the family.  After all, we share each day with our dog.  Many of the people in the video spoke about the dogs sleeping in the bed and it is not uncommon for Packer to jump up on my bed and want me to scratch or rub him before he jumps down and crawls under my bed to sleep.
     I also found it interesting that the video discussed how dogs were once wild animals and the pictures of the wolves and then the sweet puppy playing with the girl were two different concepts.  It is crazy to think that dogs now can be so loving and calm and they used to be wild animals.  The video also stated that there are more pet dogs than babies in the world which was a surprising statement to me.  I got excited when the video discussed how scientists were now studying dogs more intensely.  I found it disturbing that scientists did not study dogs more in depth previously.  The eye tracking technology was fascinating and I never knew that this existed!
      This information does change how I view the animals in the center.  For example, I worked with Lauren on Wednesday.  We entered the dog kennels and we were both calm.  We used calm voices to speak with the dogs and even if the dog was jumping up and down, I found that the dog calmed down as we continued to use calm voices.  One dog in particular, Eccentric Eva, was jumping up and down and was a very active puppy.  Lauren and I remained calm and continued to use our calm voices and Eva was able to calm down more than when we first entered the cage.  Another change in how I view the animals has to do with a question, "How?"  When I see the faces of any animal, my heart melts.  I treat animals as a member of my family and always have.  I am an only child and growing up, I called my dog, Bubbles my brother!  I have to ask the question, "How" as in, "How could anyone mistreat one of those animals.  I know not all animals who come to the center are mistreated.  However, I know that some of the animals were victims of abuse before entering the center and I must ask how could anyone mistreat an innocent creature?  My heart just breaks to think someone could be mean to an animal.  Finally, the video made me realize that when I enter the kennels, the dogs are often excited because it's contact with a human.  The dogs often get so excited that they jump up and down and I'm trying to calm them down; however, I realize that it's okay to be excited with them.  For example, it is crucial to bond with the animal before taking their photograph.  I kneel down and rub the animal and talk to the animal before I even attempt to take the picture.  This video reminded me that these encounters with humans are important and the dogs truly are that excited that they jump up and down and wag their tails!  

Meet Shadow!  Shadow has been at the Wake County Animal Center for 35 days!  I saw this picture and wanted to get a picture of Shadow that made the cat appear more adoptable.  In this photograph, Shadow appears frightened and I could not see Shadow's whole face.

Photo Courtesy of Wake County Animal Center
http://services.wakegov.com/adoptiongallery/
Photo Accessed: May 17th, 2012

     

     This is the photograph of Shadow that I took and corrected.  I feel as though this picture makes Shadow's personality shine.  Shadow is not shy and is very curious.  Shadow is also a very loving cat.  This picture also makes Shadow appear more adoptable.  I tried to capture the catch lights in the eyes and make sure the cat did not appear scared.  

Shadow 69779
Photo Courtesy of Brittany Murray
Photo Taken: May 18th, 2012

     I lightened Shadow's eyes and ears.  Just these two changes made the picture look much better than before.  Shadow looks like a completely different cat here!  This picture displays the Shadow I met.  Shadow was anything but shy or fearful!  What an amazing cat!