Your pup will thank you

Can dogs really tell time? The answer will surprise you!

Credit: Jametlene Reskp

Dogs are part of the family: They're our best friends and our constant companions. But over the years, myths about dog behavior have made their way into common belief. Some sound logical, while others are just crazy, but how do we separate fact from fiction? Can dogs really tell time? Is chocolate always deadly? Let's take a look at some of the most common myths about our four-legged friends, some of which might just surprise you!

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Many dog owners believe that once their pup has reached a certain age, training becomes impossible. It’s only logical: When we see a young pup and their eagerness to pick up on commands quickly, we tend to think older ones won’t be able to do that. Because of this, many people give up on training their senior dogs, assuming the effort won’t pay off. But is this belief really true? Place your bets!

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As it turns out, age is just a number: Dogs are capable of learning at any stage of life! While older dogs may take a little longer to pick up new habits, just like we humans, their brains remain highly adaptable.

Training activities work best when it’s fun, positive, and rewarding, so grab some tasty treats and start small. Short, frequent training sessions are the key to success.

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Ever leave the house and come back to a dog who acts like you’ve been gone for years? Many assume dogs don’t understand time, thinking they react the same whether you’ve been gone for five minutes or five hours.

Since they don’t read clocks, it’s easy to assume they live entirely in the moment. But if that’s the case, how do they seem to know exactly when it’s time for dinner or their daily walk?

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Science confirms that dogs have a sense of time. Studies have shown that dogs can distinguish between different time intervals, meaning they know the difference between an hour and several hours. But how?

They associate events with specific routines. If you always walk them at a certain time, they’ll start anticipating it. Some experts believe dogs use scent to tell time, as human odors change throughout the day. So yes, your dog really does know if you’re late for dinner!

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On warm days, it’s tempting to crack the windows and run into the store, thinking your pup will be fine for a few minutes. After all, they have fresh air, right? Many people assume that as long as the windows are open, there’s no risk of overheating. But just how safe is it?

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Leaving a dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes, can be incredibly dangerous. Cars heat up shockingly fast, even with the windows cracked, and dogs have a harder time regulating body temperature than humans.

Heatstroke can set in quickly, and once it does, it can be fatal. If you wouldn’t sit in a parked car on a hot day, why would you let your dog do so?

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Humans rely on words to express emotions, but dogs sadly don’t have that luxury. Many assume that while dogs pick up on body language, they can’t actually sense how we feel.

After all, emotions are internal, right? However, have you ever felt your dog was closer than ever when you’re feeling down? Is that real, or is it just your mind playing tricks?

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If you said this was possible, you were right! Dogs don’t just guess your feelings; they can smell them! Their noses are 100,000 times more powerful than ours, meaning they pick up on chemical changes in our bodies.

When we’re scared or anxious, we sweat slightly differently, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Your dog doesn’t just see your nervous body language; they literally smell your fear. So yes, they know when you’re having a bad day, and that’s why they’re always ready to comfort you.

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Chocolate is delicious, and dogs seem eager to try everything we eat, don’t they? We might feel tempted to share our piece of chocolate with our furry best friend.

Many people believe that while chocolate is technically bad for dogs, a small amount won’t actually cause harm. If a dog sneaks a bite of a cookie or a tiny piece of chocolate, it’s no big deal… right?

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Well, chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that is toxic to dogs. The danger of it depends on the type of chocolate and the size of the dog. Naturally, dark chocolate is the worst, as it contains the highest levels of theobromine.

While a tiny bit of milk chocolate might not be fatal, it can still cause vomiting, diarrhea, or heart issues. If your dog eats any chocolate, call your vet immediately. You know the saying: Better safe than sorry!

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When humans have aches and pains, we reach for ibuprofen or aspirin. Some dog owners assume it’s safe to give their pups a tiny dose of these medications if they’re injured or sick. After all, if it helps humans, it must help dogs too, right?

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That’s actually not the case! Giving ibuprofen to your dog can have serious, even fatal, consequences.

Dogs process medication differently than humans, and even small doses can cause stomach ulcers, kidney damage, or liver failure. If your dog is in pain, never give them human medicine. Just consult your vet for safe, pet-approved pain relief options. What works for us doesn’t always work for them!

Reach for the stars

Are you using them correctly? 10 space idioms and their curious origins!

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Outer space has fascinated human beings since ancient times. We have studied and explored it so much over the years that space and everything we know about it has even found their way into our everyday language! Today, we're discovering the origins of 10 famous space-related idioms. Get ready for an astral journey!

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You forgot your wallet, missed your appointment, and left your phone at home. You're totally on another planet today.

When your friends explain that board game five times and you still don't get it, when you're completely unaware of the latest news, or you just can't focus on what you're doing, we could say you're "on another planet."

This expression gained popularity during the era of space exploration when people began contemplating the possibility of life on other planets, with customs, languages, and ideas entirely different from our own.

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He promised me the moon, but I knew it was too good to be true.

Undoubtedly, the moon plays a starring role in our language. It's not only the main character of poems, but it also features in many idioms we use! But be careful: if someone "promises you the moon," you should be a bit suspicious.

Who could bring down the moon? It’s an impossible mission! That’s why the expression "promise the moon," which became widespread in the mid-1800s, refers to promises that are unrealistic or very difficult to fulfill.

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Their love story seemed like it was written in the stars, always meant to be.

In the past, many people believed the position of the stars at the time of one's birth could significantly influence their destiny. Based on this belief, when something is described as "written in the stars," it means it was fated to happen.

A similar concept appears in Shakespeare's famous 16th-century tragedy Romeo and Juliet. In the play, the term "star-crossed lovers" describes Romeo and Juliet, whose tragic end was seen as inevitable, destined by the stars.

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She spaced out during the lecture and didn’t hear a word the professor said.

When you can’t concentrate at work, find yourself daydreaming, or are so tired that you’re just staring blankly, you’re "spaced out." It can also describe moments when you’re simply not paying attention.

Someone is spaced out when they're distracted, disconnected, or mentally absent. This expression is believed to have originated in the 20th century, gaining popularity in the 1960s when space exploration was at its height and sci-fi movies and TV series were booming.

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Don't worry! Assembling this furniture is not rocket science; anyone can do it.

When humans began actively exploring space, organizations like NASA emerged. They not only showed us that reaching the moon was possible but also revealed how incredibly difficult and complex rocket science can be. That’s why the popular idiom "it’s not rocket science" is used to suggest that something is simple, straightforward, or doesn’t require much analysis. You know, tasks like making scrambled eggs or brewing your morning coffee really shouldn’t be rocket science!

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She's absolutely down to earth, despite being a successful CEO.

While being "on another planet" or "lost in space" suggests a detachment from reality, being "down to earth" means the complete opposite: having a practical, grounded perspective.

Someone who is down to earth is rational, pragmatic, and realistic. Much like saying someone has their "feet on the ground," the expression is tied to the idea of staying grounded in reality and being firmly aware of everyday human existence.

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She always encouraged her children to reach for the stars.

The famous and celebrated Aeneid by the Roman poet Virgil features the Latin expression ad astra, which translates to "to the stars." In Virgil's work, the expression is associated with high ambitions, the pursuit of greatness, and elevated desires. This is believed to be the origin of the idiom "reach for the stars," which carries the same meaning. When you set high goals or strive for extraordinary achievements, you’re definitely reaching for the stars!

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I don't usually eat fast food, but once in a blue moon, I'll grab a burger.

Astronomically speaking, each season typically lasts about three months and contains three full moons. However, if a fourth full moon appears within a single season, it’s known as a "Blue Moon."

But here's the thing: a fourth full moon is an extremely rare occurrence! That's why the idiom "once in a blue moon" is used to describe events or situations that happen occasionally, or rather, very rarely.

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She was over the moon when she found out she got the job!

When something happens that fills you with happiness or makes you want to jump for joy, you're said to be "over the moon." The origins of this idiom are believed to stem from the old 16th-century nursery rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle, which goes, "Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon. The little dog laughed to see such fun and the dish ran away with the spoon." One of the first appearances of the expression in print can be found in Charles Molloy’s 18th-century play The Coquet: "Tis he! I know him now: I shall jump over the Moon for Joy!"

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I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I think I'll stay home and rest.

The position of the Earth relative to the Sun at specific times directly impacts our atmosphere, which in turn drives the seasons and various weather phenomena. The popular idiom "under the weather" is used to describe feeling unwell, whether physically or emotionally.

But what's the origin of this particular expression? It's believed to have arisen in the nautical language in the 19th century: when sailors felt sick or unwell, they were said to be affected by the harsh weather conditions; in other words, they were "under the weather"!