The current issue of New Scientist has a package of several articles on how animals "see" the world around them, and one of the articles is on a dog's sense of smell -- not only how acute the sense is, but on how they smell things. And it's different than the way we humans do. The photo above is from the New Scientist website version of the fascinating article, which you can read here.
One of the many reasons we don't consider our disabled dogs "handicapped" is because they do have this incredible sense of smell that tells them so much about their world -- way more than we could possibly know. As the article points out, dogs have about 300 million olafactory receptors, while humans have only 6 million. Their olafactory cortex, the part of the brain that processes scent information, takes up 12.5% of their brains, but less than 1% in human brains. So when a dog loses his or her vision, or hearing, or both, they still have access to vast amounts of "data."
Watching one of our blind and deaf dogs, like Spinner or Katie or Spencer, walk around the dog yards sniffing away makes us realize just how engaged they still are with their world.
Anyway, I think you'll find the article well worth reading.
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Hurricane Irene: Yes, New Hampshire is right smack in the middle of the "cone of uncertainty" for the projected path of this hurricane. It should "only" be a tropical storm by the time it gets here on Sunday (let's hope!), but that could still mean flooding and damaging winds. We've been preparing for the past couple of days, and have plenty more to do over the next two days to get ready. So if we're offline and not responding to emails, don't worry -- that's because we'll be spending most of our time until Sunday getting prepared, and we may well lose Internet access in the aftermath of the storm.
Thinking of you and hoping all is well. Can't help worrying about those we care about.
Posted by: Anne in FL | August 29, 2011 at 12:15 PM
I read that dogs smell the way we see, in that they discern different scents the way we would discern different objects placed on a bed: which was first, which under what, etc. I always refer to mine as reading their "wee mails" when they sniff stuff outside. They often leave an opinion column after reading the article. I am sure your dogs would rather be in the middle of the "cone of uncertainty" than the "cone of shame" so many have to wear after being "tutored"!
Posted by: Barbara Rossell | August 28, 2011 at 01:02 PM
I hope all is well. Take care!
Posted by: MsFitzTX | August 28, 2011 at 12:41 PM
I'm hoping that Mother Nature is gentle and kind to all structures and living things for the storm. Keeping positive vibes coming your way.
Hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
(hurricane survivors)
Posted by: ginger young | August 26, 2011 at 10:25 PM
We are very much worried about you guys and saying prayers for everyone's safety. XOXO
Posted by: Dee's Mom | August 26, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Praying for you and the critters. God bless you.
Posted by: Lisa K. from CA | August 26, 2011 at 07:27 PM
Will be praying for you!!!!
Good Luck!
Posted by: Toni | August 26, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Sending good thoughts for the safety and good health of all the residents of Rolling Dog Farm. Stay dry!
Posted by: Mircat | August 26, 2011 at 11:17 AM
I hope the hurricane will not come close to you - I'll keep fingers crossed!
Posted by: Dawn | August 26, 2011 at 11:13 AM
I remember reading somewhere that pulling your dog away from something he is sniffing is like someone yanking a newspaper out of your hand. I hate that I have been that rude to my girls on many occasions on walks. :(
Good luck with Irene. Like Anne in Fl, we live prepared. I'd offer advice but doubt you need it. You'll be fine.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | August 26, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Living here in a section of Southwest Washington that saw the devastation of the horrible floods of 2007, I sincerely hope you aren't in Irene's target. Although I never suffered personal loss, it is so hard to see one's neighbors suffer months of rebuilding, what sometimes, had taken a lifetime to build.
Here's hoping all of you and those neighbors you hold dear are safe and sound through this storm.
Posted by: Diane Borden, Chehalis, WA | August 26, 2011 at 09:53 AM
Good Luck I think Widget should be allowed back in the big house for a few days to supervise! lol
Posted by: gayle | August 26, 2011 at 09:20 AM
Be safe in the storm. We'll all be thinking about all of you.
Posted by: Ashley Williams | August 26, 2011 at 08:36 AM
Very interesting numbers and comparison on the sense of smell.
Prayers for all to be kept safe during the upcoming surges from mother nature!
Posted by: Glenda | August 26, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Irene is no match for Steve and Alayne. Sending thoughts of protection and peace your way.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | August 26, 2011 at 07:25 AM
My prayers are with you and your critters and i no everybody is going to be fine ....
Posted by: Mickey Boutiette | August 26, 2011 at 01:10 AM
Prayers to you and the East Coast for the hurricane to weaken and dissipate.
Stay safe.
Posted by: Chloe | August 25, 2011 at 11:10 PM
Take care. Best wishes to you and your pack during the upcoming storm. Hopefully it will by pass you or will have lost most of it's punch by the time it reaches your place.
Posted by: Ev | August 25, 2011 at 09:57 PM
Will add prayers to keep you all safe from Irene!! God Bless. . .
Posted by: Janet P | August 25, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Our 8 yr old Roxie "suddenly" lost her sight this summer. We've determined by a visit to canine ophthalmologist that she is in no pain and the vision loss is permanent.
In hindsight we think now she was slowly losing sight but her coping skills were such that we weren't aware of her loss.
Roxie relies on her scent maps as much as her memory maps and gets around just fine as long as we keep the house exactly the same.
Because she can't even see our hand with a treat, her sniffer is wiggling like crazy as she figures out where the food is, head up, searching back and forth as she gets nearer and nearer. Her little black nose just quivers in anticipation!
She loves walks with us in large open fields where she can be free and scent without barriers.
Like you, we don't consider her handicapped. To us, she is simply special :-)
Thank you for the link to the article.
Posted by: Gena | August 25, 2011 at 08:55 PM
On the subject of sense of smell: Thank you again, with all my heart, for helping blind deaf Gabe get his sense of smell back. It was all he had left and then it was gone too, and his previous people gave up on him. Then you stepped in and saved his life. Thank you Steve and Alayne. This article shows just how vital getting rid of his tumor was. Bless you!!!
About being busy and maybe offline: living in Florida we live with the mind set of preparedness and are fully aware and understand how much time and effort it takes to get ready. Your task is multiplied many fold with all your critters. If you are gone for several days we will miss you dearly and be thinking of you and praying for you and hoping all is well with you all. ie: we understand and wish you light winds, and minimal impact on your lives.
Posted by: Anne in FL | August 25, 2011 at 08:35 PM
Praying the storm passes right by you!
Posted by: Leila - Washington | August 25, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Well we WILL be worried about you, and praying for you and everyone else during this weather event! As always, those animals are SO fortunate to have you to care for them, and see to all their needs, even in the eye of the storm. BLESS YOU ALL with safety and calm winds.
Posted by: Linda Murphy | August 25, 2011 at 06:23 PM