Abstract This paper traces the relationship between man and dogs from pre-historic to modern times. The paper first discusses recent discoveries that have disproved assumptions about the first domesticated dogs. The paper also explores the various functions dogs served in different cultures, from hunting, guarding and more recently as pets and companions. The paper includes a section on how dogs have been portrayed in literature. An annotated bibliography is included with the paper.
From the Paper "Dogs also were valuable as sentries, and were important in transport, both for pack saddles in the Plains areas, and for dog-drawn sleds used by the Mandan in the north. The Plains Indians had a device called the "travois," Fiedel writes, which was made of two long poles attached at the dog's shoulders, "with the butt ends dragging behind the animal; midway, a ladder-like frame, or a hoop made of plaited thongs, was stretched between the poles, and could carry a load up to sixty pounds or more. "
Abstract The battle between dog owners versus cat owners has been brewing for centuries. Each side thinks that they own the best type of pet. This paper examines the issue of owning a dog versus owning a cat, including an analysis of which is better if you have a busy schedule, how much attention and interaction is required of these animals, as well as the basics of how to care for a dog versus how to care for a cat.
Abstract In this article the writer examines the use of dogs in the early detection of cancer. The writer reports on some examples of dogs who have detected cancer in their owners. Further the writer discusses current research involved in training dogs to detect cancers in people.
From the Paper " Scientific tests in the United Kingdom and the United States have shown that dogs can detect cancers because of their intensely acute sense of smell. Dogs have proved extremely accurate at detecting cancerous tissues from among those mixed with normal tissues. The BBC news reported that researchers at Cambridge University in England had applied for funding to test the theory that dogs could be used to provide an early warning system for cancer, because of their highly developed sense of smell."
Abstract This paper explains that over 150 breeds of dogs and 300 breeds of cats are found in the United States and Canada. Many people love their pets even if they are not a pure-breed animal. In fact, many mixed dogs in American households are equal to the number found in Canada. Pets are, in most cases, our furry friends, but they are also often used in the lives of the owners to help them with different illnesses or work. The paper discusses the important role that dogs and cats play in the emotional and physical well being of their owners and how they are so highly valued in both Canada and the United States.
From the Paper "Ever have a dog or cat as a child? Remember all the love and affection the pet gave? Dogs and cats are special to many people. In fact, some people consider their pets as family members. Over 150 breeds of dogs and 300 breeds of cats are found in the United States and Canada. Whether it is the small white Maltese, brown and black Yorkie terrier, wolf-like Keeshunds, curly poodles, or other breeds of dogs, many people call and treat these dogs as if they were children. The same can be said of cat owners. Cat owners love their Turkish Angora..."
Abstract This paper outlines key social psychology principles found in Barry Levinson's 1997 film "Wag The Dog". These principles include heuristics, perceptions and changing people's beliefs and attitudes.The paper discusses where these principles were used throughout the movie.
From the Paper "In a democratic society such as that of the United States of America, it is essential for those who want power to be able to sway and persuade others. No truer is this statement, than when in the context of the elections for the position of President of the United States. In Barry Levinson's 1997 film "Wag The Dog", it is only two weeks till the presidential election, and scandal is taking over the attention of the media. The incumbent president has a sex scandal on his hands that will surely affect the amount of votes he receives on election day. In order to deflect this unwanted attention, he hires a man named Conrad Brean, who has the ability to manipulate the media, and persuade the American people to think a certain way. By focusing on heuristics, social norms, and cognitive persuasion, Brean is able to alter the way people view the president, and garner their vote for the election."
Abstract This paper reviews pets and their owners, with specific focus on the division between dog lovers and cat lovers. This paper goes on to define and analyze these differences.
From the Paper "If a house has a furry pet, it is usually a dog or a cat, although some unusual homes boast more exotic creatures such as ferrets or even monkeys and others may contain a mouse or two. However, dogs and cats remain the favorite but have distinct differences that tend to divide people into two camps: the dog lovers or the cat lovers. I prefer dogs; they offer unconditional love and boisterous play to any home. Cats have some similar qualities, too. Despite this, the cat lovers and the dog lovers endlessly compete to determine which is the better furry friend. Let's take a look at some of their reasons. Cats are, for the most part, thought to be more independent and seem to require less care. For example, cats use a litter box, so the cat owner does not have to take her fuzzy kitty for cold winter strolls."
Abstract This paper looks at how the basis of Ernest Hebert's "The Dogs of March" reveals how working class rural families live in the fictional town of Darby, New Hampshire. Howard Elman is representational in describing traditionally minded small towners that do not wish to become involved with outsiders. Howard does not always define the feelings of the whole town, but reflects Hebert's view of class struggle in a town like Darby.
From the Paper "In many ways, the working class mentality of Howard Elman and his family represent the reality of the lower class. The clash of classes that arrive when Zoe Cutter moves into town reflect these attitudes of commonality and tradition within the town of Darby. In essence, the accuracy of Hebert's characterization of Elman and the culture of the town is accurate and reliable in regards to the class conflict that arises within this novel. Howard Elman is a typical New Hampshire native that does not believe in the outside world that exists beyond the borders of Darby."
Abstract This literary study examines the short story "The Lady and the Pet Dog" by Anton Chekhov. By learning of the sexist and often misogynistic behavior of Gurov toward women, one can realize his love for Anna revokes his views of gender stereotypes. By understanding how women can be seen as individuals with intelligence and beauty, Gurov invariably cannot hold onto these naive gender belief systems in Chekhov's narrative. The paper explains that, in essence, the basis of Chekhov's short story creates a larger perspective relating to how Gurov transforms his gender based misogyny in his love for Anna. Gurov is a male that has a great tendency to make generalizations about women and then places them within a certain category in society.
This is a research paper written about the history and reputation of the hot dog. It discusses the origin of the hot dog, origin of the word hot dog, and discusses various aspects and impacts of the hot dog's existence in today's American culture.
From the Paper "Although hot dogs originated in Germany, hot dogs are still as American as apple pie. Hot dogs are one of the oldest forms of processed food, having been mentioned in Homer's Odyssey as far back as the 9th Century B.C. (Jackson) At first glance one might think that the Hot Dog has a rather dry history. Upon prying into the archives and prying into the taste buds of the masses, I discovered the hot dogs meaty and controversial history and prominent present gives people plenty to say about the 500 year old dog."
Abstract This paper explains that, if shelters wish to decrease their rates of return, as well as doing everything possible to ensure that dogs are placed with loving, healthy families, they need to examine, as closely as possible, not only the surface-level attributes of the family, such as income level and home ownership, but also deeper issues, like habits and long-term goals. The author points out that dogs to be adopted must be healthy dogs and known not to be dangerous; on the other hand, families experiencing any level whatsoever of familial violence cannot be allowed to adopt a dog. The family system method of interviewing families to determine their suitability to adopt a dog includes questions in these categories: individual needs and behaviors, family connections, and changing family patterns.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Systemic Family Therapy
Shelter Policies and Procedures
Serious Human Considerations
A Possible Systemic Assessment Approach to the Adoption Process
Individual Needs and Behaviors
Family Connections
Changing Family Patterns
Conclusions
From the Paper "What do these two seemingly abstract descriptions of systemic family therapy have to do with the adoption of dogs from a shelter? First and foremost, they have led to a wide variety of assessment approaches that therapists use to understand how families interact. For example, the therapist who can assess the overall contributions to the family that each member of power (meaning, usually, the adults) makes to the greater good, then s/he can understand to what extent these members will most probably interact with and care for a future dog member of the family. The therapist who can assess how many hours each person spends at home, or how many chores each person generally takes upon him or herself, or how much money each person is expected to earn in a given year -- and, more importantly, how each person feels about these and many other things (i.e. do they feel resentment or contentment) -- is a person who can provide a shelter with a wealth of vital information."
Abstract This paper describes an experiment conducted on a two-year old cocker spaniel to determine its food preferences. The paper reports that the study determined that dogs do exhibit food preferences, and in this case, have clearly shown a preference for beef hot dogs over chicken hot dogs. The paper describes the methodology and the details of the results. The paper points out that results of this study indicate that dog food not only should contain the needed vitamins and minerals but also should be gastronomically appealing to dogs so that pet owners will find little resistance when feeding them. The paper includes two tables.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Methodology
Test Animal
Food Preparation
Feeding Session
Data Gathering
Results
Table 1. Amount of Beef or Chicken Hotdog Consumed in Grams
Table 2. Summary
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "During the first day of the study, it was observed that the dog had initially tasted almost equal portions of both the beef and chicken hot dogs, showing no outward preference for one over the other. During the second day of the study, the dog now preferred the beef hot dogs over the chicken, consuming twice the portion of the beef hot dog (55 grams and 45 grams of beef hot dog over 17 grams and 27 grams of chicken hot dog) during both feeding sessions. At this point, the researchers' fear that the dog would show no outward preference for either kind of hotdog were put to rest."
Abstract With the increase of incidents involving pit bull attacks on people and other domestic pets, there is controversy regarding the predisposition of these dogs to aggression. Questions have arisen about whether they are genetically "aggressive" dogs or whether they are trained towards aggression by their owners. This essay confirms the increase in pit bull attacks, but in its analysis, indicates that this increase is reflective of an increase in social violence, not dog breeding. Pit bulls are representative of violence and, as such, are the dog-of-choice for violent people.
Abstract The hunting strategies of the African wild dog were behavior once shrouded in inaccurate myth. The dogs were formerly considered among the roughest and meanest species on the African savanna and bushland. The paper shows that they were noted for driving out all other species in their regions, for mutilating their victims beyond recognition, as well as for consuming their own kind who had fallen prey to illness or exhaustion. The paper shows, however, that researchers have recently taken a closer look at the animals' morphological, physiological and adaptive characteristics, their methods of locating prey, as well as their prey-capture techniques and food allocation practices. New studies have presented a wildly different version of the African wild dog.
From the Paper "According to recent research, the prime habitat for wild dogs is not the open, grassy plains but rather the woodland-savanna areas which support larger populations of prey due to the interspersion of seasonally-flooded grasslands in these areas. The animals' diet consists largely of impala (80-85%), with the remaining percentage distributed among red lechwe, reedbuck, steenbok (antelope types), and the juveniles of kudu, buffalo, tsessebe, zebra and wildebeest. Most of these animals are nearly ten times the weight of the average hunting dog. They are also common in the regions where wild dogs exist, so that locating their prey is not often difficult."
Abstract This paper discusses the history and developments of the dog food industry. It specifically focuses on the history of dog food companies and their marketing strategies. The paper then discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the major competitors within the dog food industry. Finally, it looks at the role of culture and the effect that it has on the marketing of dog food.
Outline:
History
Recent Developments
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Major Competitors/Top Brands
Different Consumer Segments
Role of Culture
From the Paper "The Canadian pet food industry is strong as evidenced by the fact that Canada was the 12th country in the world pet food exports in 2004 (Food and Agricultural Organization, 2006). The Canadian dog food market has recently witnessed the growth of unique pet foods. (Bennett, 2007). The overall analysis of the market shows two new major lines of products as well as the popularization of special foods. The two new lines of dog food products include the food sauces and oral hygiene chewing treats. The food sauces are designed to improve the taste of dry food and make the same food taste differently on daily basis. They are developed in such a manner to complement the nutrition value of the dry meal. The oral hygiene treats are aimed at improving dog's dental care. Even though they do not replace regular teeth brushing, they are a great and easy to apply supplement. This product is manufactured by major dog food companies (see further below) as well as the specialized ones, like Virbac in the USA. The development of special foods is likely connected to the raising awareness of food quality in humans (Roberts, 2006). As Tarnowski (2006) sums up this trend: "'Natural', 'functional' and 'healthy are three key factors driving pets food sales in America today - a direct result of the 'humanization trend" (pg. 72). This not only increased the quality of dog food as well but also led to the development of food specially designed for, for example, overweight dogs, dogs with reduced activity, and those with stomach problems."
