As one doctor explains the concept, changes due to cancer show up as volatile chemicals in the bloodstream that leave the body through the air we exhale.

In a report published in 2006, five dogs were trained to recognize lung and breast cancer from human-breath samples. Their accuracy rates were similar to the accuracy rates of CT scans, X-rays, and mammography.

Based on these promising results, scientists are now attempting a way to produce an artificial early detection test that emulates a dog’s ability to smell out cancer. They want to replicate the ability that dogs seem to come by naturally.  The latest scientific studies are focused on creating an artificial nose with finely tuned sensors. Instead of assessing breath samples, the electronic nose analyzes cells for malignancy.

There is currently testing being developed to detect brain, ovarian, and lung cancer.  These three types of cancer are some of the biggest killers as far as cancers go.  To be able to detect any of these cancers in the early stages can make an amazing difference in the survival rate. All of these cancers often go undetected until they have spread to another part of the body. There are often no obvious signs of cancer in their early stages. If science can utilize this natural canine talent it will save lives and offer a diagnostic test that is not painful or intrusive to the patient.

It doesn’t take a special breed or a dog trained from birth to have a dog that can detect a particular cancer. Most household dog can be trained to do this.  The only requirements is that they are well behaved and don’t get distracted easily.

As with any new scientific development, some people are more skeptical than others. It’s agreed by most people that expanded testing is needed but it seems like science is headed in the right direction.

The only things required for dog sledding are dogs (of course), harnesses for your dogs, and a dog sled.  The harnesses for your dog must fit correctly or you’ll run the risk of them getting hurt.  It should lay flat on their backs, go between their front legs and then come across their last rib.  The tip of the harness should wind up at your dog’s tail.  Once the harness is placed correctly on your dog, he can be hooked up to the gangline.  A gangline is the line that connects all the dogs together and connects to the sled.

Many of the commands used in dog sledding are universal so that they can switch teams around, buy or sell dogs and not have to retrain them every time.  Some of the basics commands include:

• Gee – Take a right turn
• Haw – Make a left turn
• Gee Over – Move to the right of the trail or pass another team on the right
• Haw Over – Move to the left of the trail or pass on the left
• Gee/Haw Over – This command is to have you lead dog come to you and turn the team around
• On-By – Means to keep going on the trail present
• Hike – means for the team to start going from a standstill
• Whoa – means for the team to stop

These are just the basics commands and equipment of dog sledding, there is so much more to it.  Dog sledding requires rigorous training and is not for the meek or faint hearted.  Dog training is not just what it takes to make it in the dog sledding world, determination and drive are the key to being successful.

He won’t exactly be the envy of every dog but you’ll be the envy of every dog owner.  Dog clothes can make your dog really stand out in a crowd.  People often don’t give a second look to someone who is walking their dog.  They see this all the time but put some cute dog clothes on your dog and believe me, heads will turn.

When it comes to choosing dog clothing, the sky is really the limit!  Dogs can often pull off wearing costumes that would be a total flop if a person tried to wear them.  Dogs can get away with wearing the most silly outfits and people just think it’s adorable.

There are web sites all over the Internet dedicated to dog clothes and costumes for your precious puppy.  Some sell dog clothes and costumes and some can provide you with some great ideas.  There’s certainly no shortage of sources to buy adorable outfits for your pet.  Trust me when I say that you’ll have more fun shopping for dog clothing than your dog will have wearing it.  Dogs just don’t seem to have a sense of style like people do.  I wonder why that is?  People notice other peoples clothing and hair.  I wonder what a dog thinks when it sees another dog wearing dog clothes?  It’s probably pretty confusing to them.

Be creative when picking out the perfect dog clothes!  Don’t be afraid to mix and match items from different outfits either.  While some people buy expensive clothes for their dogs, a large number people make their own.  Some are at home behind a sewing machine and some are clever shoppers.  Doll clothes can often be modified to fit your pet without much work.  Don’t be afraid to experiment a little with what you choose to dress your dog in. 

My daughter has recently developed a love for sewing because she figured out that she can make her own doll clothes.  That led to her making all kinds of cute outfits for her stuffed animals and now she’s into making cute little outfits for our little chihuahua.  He doesn’t seem impressed by her handiwork but he wears them none the less.  I have to admit, it’s pretty cute seeing the clever outfits she comes up with.

You can find cute dog costumes in specialty pet stores.  You can also find them in livestock feed stores believe it or not.  We have a local feed store that sells all kind of horse and farm supplies and they have a pretty decent selection of dog clothes to choose from.

Another good source of are thrift stores.  Believe it or not, you can modify a lot of baby clothing to fit dogs quite easily.  Again, I have to tell you about something my daughter did.  The other day, the hospital I work at received a big shipment of onesies for newborn babies.  The only problem was that all of the sleeves were two feet long!  They were hilarious looking!  Of course we couldn’t dress the newborns in them so I was able to bring some of them home for my daughter to play with.  She saw them and after she stopped laughing, she instantly thought of a use for them.  She grabbed a pair of scissors and started cutting away at them.   The next thing I knew, she had a hole cut for a tail and shortly after that, one of our dogs was walking around the house sporting a fancy new outfit.  I have to admit that I never thought she would make clothes for our dogs out of those silly things.

We have a little old neighbor lady who knits and last winter she saw our little chihuahua shivering.  The very next day, she knocked on our door and handed me the cutest little dog sweater for him to wear.  Surprisingly enough, he really seems to like it.

You can find all sorts of ideas for dog costumes if you look around your local craft and fabric store as well.  Ours even sells patterns so that you can make your own dog clothes if you know how to sew.  Last year, my daughter bought a bunch of yarn and made a lions mane for our 150 pound English Mastiff to wear for Halloween.  She’s quite creative and comes up will all kinds of ideas.  You can too if you just put your mind to it.

So the moral of the story is, use your imagination and go crazy having fun dressing your dog in cute dog clothes.  You’re only limited by your imagination!