February 2018
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M.Leslie
They call it Puppy Love Edition
Allyn and Betty Taylor Library
Ever wonder why your dog
stares at you? It’s not only be-
cause they want a cookie! It’s
because they L-O-V-E you.
We have all heard how there is
a beneficial bond between hu-
mans and their doggy compan-
ions. I cannot speak for others,
but this is definitely true with
my dog and I. I adore her! She
is not just a dog to me. She is
my buddy, my “partner in
crime”, a member of the fami-
ly. When you have this bond
with your dog, it is truly some-
thing special.
Nagasawa et al. conducted a
study that focused on the levels of oxytocin levels between owners and
their dogs, when sharing a long mutual gaze. It was discovered that the
level of oxytocin was quite high when there was a gaze between owner
and their pup. Oxytocin, is a darling little peptide, that has been called
the “cuddle hormone”. This cuddle hormone has been linked to the so-
cial bonding and is pivotal to the flood of hormonal changes leading up
to and after birth.
This study proved that the bond between a dog and its owner is in fact
comparable to the mother-infant relationship. They concluded that the
levels of oxytocin were not as high, when the gaze is shared between a
dog and an unknown person.
So, there you have it, Fido really does love you! So give your furry little
friend an extra treat and a pat for truly being a human’s best friend.
Need research help from
home? Chat with us!
Staff are available online
to help with all of your
library questions.
Hecht, J. (April 2015). Is the gaze from those Big Puppy Eyes the look of your doggie’s love? Scientific American Mind. Retrieved from https://
www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-the-gaze-from-those-big-puppy-eyes-the-look-of-your-doggie-s-love/
Nagasawa, M., Kikusui, T., Onaka, T., Ohta, M. (2009). Dog's gaze at its owner increases owner's urinary oxytocin during social interaction.
Hormones and Behavior., 55(3), 434-441. Retrieved from https://journals.scholarsportal.info/pdf/0018506x/v55i0003/434_dgaioiouodsi.xml
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Dog facts
What do you call a group of dogs? A kennel of
dogs.
Dogs have three eyelids! An upper lid, a lower
lid and a nictitating membrane or haw lid. The
third eyelid protects the eye and helps keep it
moist.
Chow Chow dogs are born with pink tongues,
and they start to turn the blue-black around 8
to 10 weeks of age.
What do you call a group of greyhounds? A
leash of greyhounds
Taylor Hours: February 16-24 Family day weekend & Reading Week
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