Hello folks I am back with my O’pawnion piece after a short sabbatical and today I’m making a case for sniffing. So, earlier this week my humans were constantly talking about how dogs are sniffing out some virus. In fact, I gathered that they wrote an entire article about it. If you haven’t read it yet, please click the link below.
The dog ‘nose’ more than we know
But I don’t understand why it’s so surprising. Us dogs have always been good at sniffing each other, humans, even diseases and many objects. Just that I don’t understand why sometimes my human cuts me short while I’m sniffing something great. I think it’s a bit rude.
Let me start with why we sniff
Now let me explain why we sniff. Just like humans shake hands and hug, although nowadays they rarely do, us dogs sniff. We sniff to gather crucial information. You know we sniff to understand which dog is friendly, who is an alpha and who can be a potential sweetheart. Accordingly, we make our moves. Why do you think we love the fire hydrants so much? That’s where we get a whiff of all the neighbourhood gossips – who’s dating whom, who can be our next date and even if there’s a threat of territory.
Did you know: Dogs have over 100 million scent receptors in our noses compared to 5-6 million in humans.
And sniffing isn’t waste of time
Those of you who think sniffing is a waste of time, let me tell you its not. Dogs can do wonders simply by sniffing. Our role at scent detection work is legendary. From smelling what’s being cooked in the kitchen to sniffing out missing persons/animals, diseases and explosives we have done it all.
But all dogs aren’t alike, just like all humans aren’t. Some of us are great at scent detection work, while some of us are superb at other things. For example, my friend Bella can smell any movement in the kitchen even in her sleep. My other friend Snoopy can smell the pizza delivery guy and alerts his humans that his favourite pepperoni has arrived. While I am great at sniffing chimken heart packets in that big grocery bag.
Why I’m making a case for sniffing
Because every dog must sniff, it’s our birth right. It isn’t waste of time. Have you heard of service dogs detecting seizures in humans before they happen, thereby preventing it? They are guided by their incredible nose. Their role as canine companions to humans is priceless.
Now let me quickly tell you a story. Whenever my humans travel, they feel anxious about leaving me behind. When they start packing bags, I can smell some chemical changes in their bodies. It helps me to understand that they are not okay, and I feel anxious too. They always think that I get stressed seeing the suitcases. It’s not the suitcases, it’s what I can sniff that makes me anxious. But then my human friend Robert arrives to stay with me, and I feel much better.
Basically, we can sniff everything – good, bad and ugly. So, humans next time before distracting a dog from sniffing, think twice.
