This issue, we thought it would be fun to depart from our typical longer article and offer you a selection of "summer shorts" -- several bits of interesting information about dogs. We hope you enjoy them. Stay cool!

• "Dog days of summer" is a phrase that originally referenced the constellations. The "dog star," Sirius, rises early with the sun between July and September; hence the name, "dog days of summer."
• The bloodhound is the only animal whose evidence is admissible in a U.S. court of law. According to researchers, the bloodhound's nose has about 230 million olfactory cells, 40 times the number in humans.
• The sinking of the Titanic in 1912 was responsible for the loss of 1513 lives. There were 711 people who survived the accident along with two dogs -- a Pomeranian and a Pekingese.
• It's a myth that frequent bathing dries out your dog's coat; it is actually the products used that affects the coat and skin. A moisturizing shampoo made especially for dogs can help increase the moisture in your dog's skin and coat.
• Dogs are allergic too. Unlike humans, however, allergies in dogs manifest themselves as skin conditions instead of runny noises, watery eyes and coughing. Allergies to inhaled substances, like dust and pollen, are around ten times more common in dogs than allergies to food.
• Next time you mow your lawn, keep in mind that the noise the lawn mower makes can be upsetting to your dog. The same holds true of power tools, vacuum cleaners, blenders and the like. Motors can produce sounds we can't hear that can be painful to dogs.
• Why are dogs fascinated by squeaky toys? One theory is that it is a built-in reaction that reminds dogs of the noises puppies make. Newborn puppies squeal and whine, which causes their mothers and other adult dogs to pay attention to them. It is thought that squeaky toys might get the same reaction.
• Dogs don't eat grass because they're feeling sick, according to animal behaviorists. The real reason is genetics. A dog is descended from a wolf. When making a kill, the wolf would ingest grasses from the dead animal's stomach to supplement its diet. Dogs who eat grass are practicing this ancient ritual.

Photo: Federico Stavanin