CAPS: Dogs’ amazing underwater skills

Dear reader, I just discovered that dogs can actually smell underwater, and they swim with their eyes open. Will wonders never cease? I knew that dogs have an awe-inspiring sense of smell and that they can smell up to 100,000 times better than humans can. That is impressive!

The sense of smell is the most powerful sense that dogs have. They can detect the equivalent of one half teaspoon of sugar in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Because of the anatomy of their noses, dogs can separate the target odor from masking smells, a useful skill for police or cadaver dogs.

Even if a body is in deep or murky water, a trained cadaver dog can sniff its whereabouts from the surface. There are approximately 100,000 drowning deaths each year and, it is difficult to locate the bodies. On land, a body stays in one place but underwater it can move in three dimensions making it hard to locate and recover.

Amazingly, if a dog can get down to the level of water to clarify the scent, they can be quite accurate locating bodies even in 50 feet of water. The secret is being able to smell the water from either the bank or boat. If the boat sides are too high, the dog will not be able to smell the water.

I suspect that the breed of the dog is also important. While all dogs have strong sniffers, the hound breed has the best sense of smell. Working dogs like German Shepherds and Labradors also have super-powered snouts. Both the United States and England are currently using dogs for cadaver water recovery.

Another other amazing skill dogs possess is the ability to keep their eyes open underwater. Actually, dogs blink briefly when water hits their faces, but they open their eyes after they submerge. They do not seem to mind having their eyes open, perhaps because they are tracking an object that they are trying to fetch and, they need a visual connection to retrieve it.

I have to admit that dogs are amazing creatures, and the more I find out about them the more respect I have.

ATTENTION

Bring your BFF for pictures with Santa on Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Two Sisters Boutique 971 W. Williams. No appointment is necessary and all proceeds go to CAPS.

LOOKING FOR A HOME

We have two handsome 15-month-old male puppies. BG and Diego are anxiously waiting to find their forever homes. Cat lovers, we have seven gray tabby and four black four-month-old kittens. They are cute!

IN NEED OF

• Board members. We are seeking energetic, enthusiastic, community-minded folks to serve on the CAPS board. We meet once a month. Call 775-423-7500 for details.

• Bleach, laundry detergent pods, toilet paper, and paper towels to stock our shelter.

• XXL Kong Extremes for our guests.

• Would you like to foster animals? Call CAPS for details.

• Aluminum cans. We will pick up your cans; give us a call at 775-423-7500. You can also drop them off at CAPS.

SHOUT OUT TO

• All the folks who generously foster our guests. You deserve a big pooch smooch!

• Two Sisters Boutique for hosting pictures with Santa. A Four-Paw-Salute to you!

COME SEE US

CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.

DON’T FORGET

• November Holiday: Adopt a Senior Pet Month.

• Would you like a newsletter? Call 775-423-7500 or email caps@cccom.net.

• CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.

Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email jkwmil@outlook.com.