Become dog-smart certified

In the past I have written about Dognition and its founder, Dr. Brian Hare from Duke University. Dognition is an online resource and tool aimed at understanding man’s best friend. It is fun doing the games with Watson, and we have continued with the monthly challenge. It’s interesting to see how he reacts to each task.

This month’s challenge was social bias. In previous games Watson was able to distinguish between larger and smaller quantities. In this game he had to choose between five treats vs. the one treat that my husband held while saying, “yum.” He didn’t always disregard the large pile of treats, but he did it often enough to show how important his dad’s opinion was to him.

When I recently received information about a free course offered by Dr. Hare titled “Dog Emotion and Cognition,” I jumped on it. The class is a series of lectures and videos that highlight the most recent developments in understanding dog intelligence. Gosh, a free class that I can take at home and get a certificate. What a deal! Online classes may not be your thing, but if you would like to check out the format go to http://www.coursera.org; typein Dog Emotion and Cognition. For those of you who missed the Dognition column, you can check out that website at http://www.dognition.com. I’ve enjoyed using both of these resources, and I hope you will too.

WHO’S WHO AT CAPS?

You, our community, are the Who’s Who at CAPS this week. Each and every time we have asked for your help, you have responded with a generous outpouring of love and caring. We are appealing to all of you hoarders and would-be hoarders. Our CAPS garage sale is coming soon, and we are in need of items that you can live without. Details are below. Thank you from the bottom of our hoarder hearts!

WHO’S NEW AT THE CAPS ZOO?

Harley a handsome gentleman, is a chow/shepherd mix. He has spent most of his life on the end of a rope, so he is looking for an understanding companion who will explore life with him. Harley is 12 years young and would enjoy taking walks, playing and being with that special someone who will care. Come out and meet him; it would make his day.

We also have 11 frisky kitties who are too cute for words! CAPS’ policy, however, prohibits adopting out puppies or kittens under the age of six months to a home with children under five years of age. This is to protect both the children and the animal.

CAPS NEWS AND EVENTS

Vote for CAPS in the Animal Rescue Site’s Shelter Challenge. The website is theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com. At the top of the homepage, click on Shelter Challenge.

CAPS’ garage sale is coming soon. We need your gently-used appliances, furniture, tennis rackets, treadmills and miscellaneous items. We don’t need clothing. If you have items to donate, you can drop them off at our storage units located at 1105 Taylor Place (Spring Valley Rentals) units 67 and 68. Someone will be there from 11 a.m. on the following dates: Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 22. If you cannot make it on those dates, call Rita Hand at 775-423-6346 or 775-427-3376. Please leave a message if necessary, and Rita will return your call as soon as she can.

Flower Tree Nursery is raffling a 15-gallon tree of your choice. The raffle tickets are available at Flower Tree, and they are $1 for one ticket and $5 for six tickets. Be sure to get your tickets soon. The drawing date will be September 6, and the winner doesn’t have to be present to win.

CAPS will be at Wal-Mart on Aug. 15 along with Ki and our Kissin’ Booth. Ki is our goodwill ambassador. Join Ki’s fan club because he’s waiting to meet you. We have plenty of shirts and caps, so please check them out before or after greeting Ki.

CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89406. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnv.org) and Facebook page (Churchill

Do you have questions, comments or a great story? Contact me jkwmil@outlook.com.

Kathleen Williams-Miller, a CAPS volunteer, contributed this week’s column.