A number of researchers from various universities have joined together to try and develop a mechanical device that can rival the scenting ability of dogs to detect diseases in people. No one denies that dogs have a remarkable ability to detect the early stages of disease in humans. But the cost of training the dog and the dog’s length of service makes using them expensive. If scientists can develop a device that can equal a dog’s nose it would reduce a lot of the cost.
What has proven elusive to scientists is that dogs can pick up connections that researchers cannot mimic in a machine. For example, some dogs that have been trained to detect one type of cancer will identify other types of cancer as well. When the researchers tried to determine what the dogs were detecting, they were not able to. The differences were not detectable by current tests. What complicates the problem is that the different cancers that were detected by the dogs do not have any biomolecular signatures in common. The dogs were able to generalize from one kind of cancer to be able to identify others.
The detection system that has been developed is 200 times more sensitive than a dog’s nose but the machine cannot figure out the elusive patterns that the dog can, that allows the dog to detect various cancers. In other words, the machine cannot think and make the connections. Until the researches solve the mystery, the machine cannot replace the dog.
The important point for people who use dogs for scent detection work is that dogs are capable of analyzing scent in a much more complex way then they have been trained to do. The bottom line is that if your scent dog gives you an indication that does not make sense to you, trust your dog and look further.
Lead animal scientist Antonia Mataragka of the Agricultural University of Athens has conducted a study that explores the increase in chronic diseases in the animal kingdom. These same diseases are found in both animals and humans.
For example, obesity is widespread in dogs and cats. Being overweight leads to a greater number of cats who develop diabetes. About 20% of pigs develop osteoarthritis, beluga whales have an increase of gastrointestinal cancers and farmed Atlantic salmon suffer from cardiomyopathy. It doesn’t end there, up to 25% of wildlife living in polluted estuaries are developing liver tumors. Even
Marine turtles and fish are developing more tumors.
Mataragka hopes that her research will encourage more coordinated monitoring of both animals, people and ecosystems to identify early warning signs by recognizing shared causes of chronic illnesses and reduce disease risks for both animals and people.
Antonia Mataragka. Beyond Infections: The Growing Crisis of Chronic Disease in Animals. Risk Analysis, 2025; DOI: 10.1111/risa.70130
Society for Risk Analysis. “Animals are developing the same chronic diseases as humans.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 November 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251116105735.htm>.
Dragon’s Dust: Part Two: Prisoner of the Dark Fortress by Alfred Wohlmuth
284 pgs. $13.99
This book picks up where the first book, The Book of Seregon leaves off. In their search for the Book of Seregon the heroes must free a prisoner from the dungeon of a castle fortress because this is the only person who knows where the book is hidden. As is typical of this author, the book is well written with edge of your seat drama and adventures. The heroes must wade through the Marshes of Guglic, rescue the prisoner and escape from flooded caves. On top of that they are caught up in a battle. I highly recommend all five books in the series and I hope the author will continue the series, after reading book five I wanted it to continue.
Dragon’s Dust: Part I- The Book of Seregon by Alfred Wohlmuth
262 pages, $13.99
The heroes must find the Book of Seregon and the only man who knows its location is being held in the dungeon of a castle fortress by an evil warlord. The book gives the secrets of a great wizard that will give the person who owns it special power. If that person is evil, then they can destroy all the kingdoms and put the world into darkness. Our two heroes, decide to find the book but their journey takes them through dense forests where they must find a way to survive monsters and strange people.
This is a spell binding book that will have you turning pages as fast as you can read. There are many twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this book for all readers. I also recommend the entire series of 5 books.
Dragon’s Dust: Book II-Part Two, The Black Castle, by Alfred Wohlmuth,
179 pgs. $14.95 on Amazon
This book is well crafted and the author’s skill in keeping the reader riveted is amazing. You might as well purchase all five books because you will want to see what happens next even though each book can be a stand-alone story.
I have read all the five books and cannot say enough about them. The authors skill in storytelling and creating a fantasy world is unmatched. In this book the main characters, Gyank and his friends have uncovered a devious plot to take over their country by the Red Lord. The last free castle is about to be surrounded with enemy ships. The castle had sent for help, but the ship was taken prisoner. It was up to the heroes to go for help, but the only way to get to the only country who could help was to go down a forbidden river called the Dead Branch from which everyone who has gone down it has disappeared never to be heard from again. The Dead Branch goes past the black castle.
Dragon’s Dust: Book II – Part Three, The Vulpine Warrior, by Alfred Wohlmuth,
265 pgs. $14.95 on Amazon
I cannot say enough about the author’s writing skill. The details and plot are amazing. I hope that the author is planning to continue the series because I want to read more. This book continues the adventure of the main characters and tells how they shrewdly fight the enemies who want to take over their country even though they are outnumbered. The tactics are mind boggling and I give the author the highest praise to be able to envision such action. The series, (all five books) are suitable for young adults as well as us older folks. It was a fun book to read, and I found it difficult to put down. I highly recommend all of this author’s books.
Dragon’s Dust: Book II Part One, The Secret Hunters, by Alfred Wohlmuth
194 pgs. $14.95 on Amazon
This book is well crafted and the author’s skill in keeping the reader riveted is amazing. You might as well purchase all five books because you will want to see what happens next even though each book can be a stand-alone story.
I have read all the five books and cannot say enough about them. The authors skill in storytelling and creating a fantasy world is unmatched. In this book the main characters, Gyank and his friends have uncovered a devious plot to take over their country by the Red Lord. The last free castle is about to be surrounded with enemy ships. The castle had sent for help, but the ship was taken prisoner. It was up to the heroes to go for help, but the only way to get to the only country who could help was to go down a forbidden river called the Dead Branch from which everyone who has gone down it has disappeared never to be heard from again. The Dead Branch goes past the black castle.
What this means is that dogs can group objects by how they are used, not by how they look. The importance of this discovery shows that dogs understand words and in a more flexible manner than previously thought.
A team of animal behavior researchers worked with dog owners and had them play with their dogs with objects in two categories, pull and fetch. The owners used these words with specific toys that did not look similar.
“Next, the dogs were tested to see if they had learned to connect the functional labels to the correct group of toys before playing with more novel toys in the two distinct categories. However, this time, their owners didn’t use the “pull” and “fetch” labels for the dogs.
The team found that the dogs were able to extend the functional labels they’d learned previously to the new toys based on their experience playing with them. In the final test, the dogs showed that they could successfully apply the verbal labels to the toys by either pulling or fetching accordingly, even when their owners hadn’t named them.”
This impacts the way we train our dogs and the importance of the words that we use, especially associating the words with actions. If dogs are capable of understanding words to this level, it is reasonable to assume that other animals and birds can do the same thing.
Journal Reference:
Claudia Fugazza, Andrea Sommese, Ádám Miklósi. Dogs extend verbal labels for functional classification of objects. Current Biology, 2025; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.08.013
Cite This Page:
Cell Press. “Dogs can tell how toys work without any training.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 September 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021212.htm>.
A book of poems by Catherine Lawton, 110 pgs., Cladach Publishing, $14.00
Sometimes poetry can stir the heart in a special way, and this book does that. Ms. Lawton reveals her feelings in a beautiful way. It illustrates nature and God’s work in beautiful prose without openly preaching. The book has five chapters with numerous poems in each chapter. The chapters are: Seen & Unseen; Cycles & Seasons; Been & Becoming; Time & Space; Inside & Outside. What makes this book special are the notes at the end of the book. Ms. Lawton explains the inspiration for each chapter, which gives the poems deeper meaning. In addition the illustrations throughout the book help set the mood for the chapters. The book is a timeless work of art, one that a reader can cozy up to in the dead of winter or enjoy on a patio with the fresh breath of spring or a summer breeze. The book is excellent for all ages.
This wonderful book helps the reader deal with loss, is written by Jeannette Laube, a Christian counselor. The dedication reads, “Dedicated to those who cross the painful road of loss, betrayal and broken dreams. You are not alone, you taught me that grief can lead to new graces.”
No matter if you lost a loved one, a pet or have experienced disappointment, this is the book that will help you confront your grief. The book is based on TEARS which stand for Turn to face the reality of our losses; Experience the pain; Adjust to our new reality; Remembering the past is essential; Search for bringing new meanings to life.
Loss is not just the loss of a loved one, but can also be the loss of a job, or other meaningful thing in your life. It can be an accumulation of events that overwhelm a person or family. This book is equally important for teens who do not have the life experiences or perhaps the support to deal with their circumstances which may seem overwhelming.
Since we never know when we may face a loss, I highly recommend that everyone keep a copy handy to either use or give to someone who may need it.
Please take a minute to check out my two new books. I think you will like them. Autographed copies will be available by January from my website. If you can’t wait, they are on Amazon.
Sue
Where Are You Nicholas?
When the Nazis Took Everything, One Memory Kept Her Alive.
Yvonne Redgis lived a life shaped by grace, discipline, and quiet strength. A gifted dancer in Paris, she built her world through movement and devotion. When war overtook France, she entered the Resistance with conviction and purpose. The cost was immense. Captured, tattooed, and sent to Auschwitz, she endured what no human should endure. However, she was able to convince a German soldier to take care of Nicholas. Would she survive? Would she be reunited with Nicholas?
Through it all, one name anchored her: Nicholas, the small French Bulldog she’d left behind. His memory became her lifeline through the darkest hours—proof that somewhere beyond the wire, love still existed and a future waited worth fighting for.
Where Are You, Nicholas? is the true story of a woman’s wartime ordeal, her hard-won freedom, and the unbreakable bond between a dancer and her dog. Built from Yvonne’s own journals, personal accounts, and historical records, this is a story of resistance, survival, and the devotion that makes us human even when the world has lost its humanity.
For readers who believe some bonds can never be broken—no matter the distance, no matter the darkness.
Ideal for readers of Holocaust biography, women’s history, and accounts of perseverance, this work honors the memory of Yvonne Redgis and the resilience that defined her journey.
True Stories of Loyalty, Courage, and the Unbreakable Bond Between Humans and Their Dogs
Dogs lift spirits, comfort hearts, guide the lost, and step forward in moments when courage is demanded. In Dogs of Devotion, renowned canine expert Susan Bulanda gathers a remarkable collection of real stories that celebrate the deep connection people share with their dogs. These tales illuminate the intelligence, intuition, humor, and steadfast companionship that define the human–dog relationship.
Written with clarity, insight, and heartfelt warmth, this book embraces the joy of companionship and the life-changing power of animals who walk beside us. Each story offers its own triumph, surprise, or emotional resonance. Readers feel the snow under their feet, the forest winds shifting, the quiet padding of paws at night, and the pure devotion of dogs who give everything without hesitation.
Families, trainers, young readers, seasoned dog handlers, and anyone who has ever loved a dog will find inspiration in these true accounts. The stories highlight working dogs, heroic dogs, mischievous dogs, and faithful companions whose presence shaped lives for the better.
Here are the stories included in Dogs of Devotion:
Life and Death — A devoted dog brings quiet courage and unwavering presence to the edge of tragedy.
Nicholas — A spirited dog transforms a child’s world with loyalty, spark, and unexpected wisdom.
Nine Inches — A tiny dog proves that heart, grit, and spirit create immense impact.
Petey — A clever dog turns an ordinary day into an unforgettable act of devotion.
Stubby — A brave working dog rises to every challenge with fearless enthusiasm.
The Boy — A dog’s steady companionship shapes a boy’s strength and confidence.
The Dog Was a Hero — A loyal dog steps forward with bold determination at the moment he is needed most.
The First Christmas — A dog senses the season’s wonder and brings warmth and joy to a family’s holiday.
The Mystery of Winter — A dog uncovers the quiet secrets of a winter landscape with instinct and intelligence.
The River — A dog’s alert senses and quick action protect a life at the river’s edge.
The Search — A trained dog tracks through rugged terrain with purpose and heart.
Tippy — A small dog with sharp instincts brings light, comfort, and keen awareness to every moment.
Queenie — A noble dog meets danger with remarkable poise and steadfast loyalty.
The Sled Dogs — A determined team of dogs pushes through cold, distance, and difficulty with powerful unity.
Old Drum — A faithful dog inspires a historic courtroom tribute that honors the bond between humans and dogs.
U.S. Mail Dog — A dependable dog delivers through storms, distance, and duty with unwavering commitment.
My Pal — A gifted trick dog helps a young girl discover confidence, resilience, and joy.
Lost — A heroic dog guides a ranger to two stranded hikers and leads everyone toward safety.
These stories honor every wagging tail, every warm muzzle, every joyful greeting at the door. They remind us that dogs contribute courage in difficult hours, comfort in seasons of uncertainty, and companionship in every moment that matters.
Dogs of Devotion offers readers a rewarding experience filled with emotion, admiration, and gratitude for the remarkable animals who open their hearts to us so freely. This collection is a testament to the beautiful connection between people and their dogs, written by one of the world’s most respected canine behavior experts.
A Blog by Susan Bulanda 