Animal Friends and Helpers [ 139 



which does an extraordinary job of tracking down lost or straying 

 people when all other means have failed. 



Your youngster will be better equipped to take care of his pet 

 if he is aware that the nose is an index of well-being. When the 

 nose of a dog or of any other moist-nosed animal becomes dry, 

 it is a sure indication of illness. 



KEEN EYES AND EARS 



We admire a dog's eyes as "beautifully soft" or "soulful" 

 rather than "keen." The fact is, though, that dogs are sharp- 

 sighted, despite their reliance on their sense of smell when it comes 

 to locating misplaced articles. Dogs even see fairly well in the 

 dark, though probably inferior to cats in this respect. We have an 

 interesting contrast in breeds in the hunting dog, which stays on 

 an old or recent trail guided solely by scent, and the greyhound, 

 swiftest of all large dogs, which hunts by sight. 



In most dogs the iris is a rich brown though puppies usually 

 have blue eyes and the pupil, as in human eyes, is round. 



There is a considerable range of difference in the shape and 

 appearance of the outer ears of dogs. This might lead us to expect 

 a great deal of variation in hearing ability. Actually, however, 

 most breeds of dogs enjoy an acute sense of hearing. Whether the 

 animal has long or short earflaps, the act of "pricking up his 

 ears" is typical of an alert dog. As the hound lifts his long ears 

 they form tubes, thereby bringing sound more effectively to the 

 inner ear. 



DOGS ARE GOOD RUNNERS 



Most dogs are strong runners, although running ability 

 varies quite a bit from one breed to another. Dogs have long 

 muscular legs and when they are running their lithe bodies 

 extend full length. The feet are adapted for running, as they are 

 protected by thick fleshy pads. Another aid in running is the fact 

 that the dog's claws do not draw in as the cat's do; this gives the 

 feet additional protection. 



The legs and feet of dogs and cats have interestingly contrasted 

 qualities, for the cat is a jumper rather than a runner. The cat's 

 legs are delicate, but its hips are very powerful. These factors. 



