DEAR READERS: An Alabama court recently ruled that Nosey the elephant can remain at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, rather than being returned to her former owner. Here is a statement from the president of the Nonhuman Rights Project, Steven Wise, on the verdict:

“We are thrilled Nosey will finally have the chance to rediscover her autonomy at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Like Beulah, Karen and Minnie, our elephant clients in Connecticut, she has spent most of her life being forced to perform in circuses, fairs and other forms of human entertainment without the ability to choose how to live her life. May Nosey’s story energize all elephant advocates even further, to demand what, as a matter of justice, equity and scientific fact, these extraordinary beings are long overdue: recognition of their legal personhood and fundamental right to bodily liberty.

“Congratulations and our thanks to all the individuals and organizations that tirelessly worked for this outcome -- true sanctuary for Nosey -- over a period of many years.”

ABOUT THE NONHUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT

Founded in 1996 by attorney Steven M. Wise, the Nonhuman Rights Project works to secure legally recognized fundamental rights for nonhuman animals through litigation, advocacy and education.

Their mission is to change the legal status of at least some nonhuman animals from mere “things,” which lack the capacity to possess any legal right, to “persons,” who possess such fundamental rights as bodily integrity and liberty.

Current plaintiffs are members of species of great apes, elephants, dolphins and whales. The team works with attorneys on four continents, developing campaigns to achieve rights for nonhuman animals that are suited to the legal systems of these countries. The group filed its first cases in December 2013, and its work is the subject of the 2016 HBO documentary “Unlocking the Cage.”

DEAR DR. FOX: I read an “Ask The Vet” article with great interest about using a soft carrier, as we have experienced the same problem traveling with our cat. It would be great if we could make our cat comfortable on road trips (ranging from two to eight hours).

When on a long drive, how do you know when the cat has to relieve itself? And what actions do you take? -- C.F., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR C.F.: Good question. On a long ride with a cat, it is difficult to know, without feeling the cat’s abdomen to gauge how full the bladder is.

The best rule of thumb is to feed the cat only a small meal before a journey scheduled to last four hours or more. Allow no water beforehand, and put the cat in the litter box at home to evacuate before departure. For longer journeys, I have found cats will evacuate in their litter boxes during a rest stop, when set next to them inside the vehicle. With easily spooked cats who might accidentally get out of the vehicle during stops, make sure they’re always wearing a collar and ID tag. Ideally, they should also be microchipped.

BOOK REVIEW: “The Guide To Humane Critter Control: Natural, Nontoxic Pest Solutions To Protect Your Yard And Garden” by Theresa Rooney

This informative, sensible, practical and compassionate book should be read by all gardeners and every home- and property-owner, and garden supply centers should have a stack for sale. This beautifully illustrated, 143-page book will inspire generations to find ways to live in greater harmony with wild creatures from wasps and aphids to moles and rabbits.

The author is a self-taught Master Gardener and has turned her small urban yard into a Certified National Wildlife Habitat and home to an increasing number of critters. She has written articles for Minnesota Gardener Magazine, and teaches gardening classes.

Regardless of the vernacular, if not demeaning, use of the word “critter” -- which might actually be a draw for those who still wage war against fellow creatures -- I give this book a “Two Green Thumbs Up” salute! This kind of book reminds us that we are not apart from the land; the land is part of us -- just as the Earth does not belong to us, but rather we belong to the Earth.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxVet.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I’m writing to you on the topic of pets’ remote sensing of death. Our male cat (Spooky) lorded over our female (Sheba), always eating first and never allowing her onto the furniture. This continued for several years. Even if he was out of the room, she stayed on the floor.

One day, we brought them both home from a brief boarding stay. Noticing that Spooky seemed off his feed, we immediately took him back to the vet. His condition did not appear to be serious, and he was a strong, young cat, but he was kept overnight for observation.

In the morning, as we were preparing to go pick him up, Sheba suddenly jumped onto the sofa and began preening and grooming herself. We were watching her in amazement when the phone rang: Yes, it was the vet, calling to inform us that Spooky had suddenly and unexpectedly turned critical and had died from a massive infection.

Sheba lived to a ripe old age, and no one in our family will ever believe that she did not know of Spooky’s death before we did -- if indeed she didn’t somehow cause it! It is also possible that the subordinate cat had previously sensed the illness, undetected by humans, in her dominant housemate, and simply knew its outcome. The recent work with the ability of some service dogs to detect cancer or predict seizures supports that possibility.

There may be other explanations as well. The one thing that seems certain is that animals sometimes know things that we don’t, and we should not dismiss it simply because we can’t explain it. -- J.W., Bonita Springs, Florida

DEAR J.W.: Your observations and account of how the subordinate cat seemed to know that your other cat had died is intriguing.

There remains the possibility that it did not take long for the subordinate one to gain sufficient self-confidence to get up on the sofa and that there was no psychic or remote sensing involved. But in my opinion, this could well have been such a phenomenon, considering the fact that the dominant cat was only out of the house for such a short time.

I appreciate the many accounts of readers over the years documenting this phenomenon in their animal companions, some of which I published in my books “Cat Body, Cat Mind” and “Dog Body, Dog Mind.” With open hearts and minds, we, too, may rediscover this natural power and have greater respect and compassion toward fellow creatures whose sensitivity and awareness so often seem to surpass our own.

DEAR DR. FOX: I enjoy reading your column in our local newspaper, and recently read your excellent book, “Dog Body, Dog Mind,” in preparation for becoming a first-time dog owner. Our family is about to rescue a wonderful dog, a German shepherd mix, whose previous abusive owner left him tied up outside during Hurricane Irma here in Florida last fall. We are so excited to provide a safe, loving home for this wonderful and special dog.

I have a couple of questions for you about diet after reading your book, and also looking extensively at your website and your homemade dog food recipe. Our family eats a whole-foods, plant-based diet that is mostly organic, and I cook all of our food. We eat whole grains, sweet potatoes, squashes, potatoes and a wide variety of legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and herbs/spices. We consume animal products a couple of times per year, at most. Ideally, most of our dog’s food will be home-cooked as well.

It is unclear from my reading if dogs can thrive on a vegan, plant-based diet, or a largely vegan diet supplemented with occasional sardines, canned Alaskan salmon and a few other organic animal foods (if necessary). I am not thrilled about the contamination risks associated with bringing uncooked meat, fish and eggs into the home, but will do it if that is what dogs require.

I am concerned about both the health consequences of eating animal products and also the bioaccumulation of toxins in meats, even if they are organic -- this is not good for humans, and so it is probably not good for dogs, either.

What are your suggestions on ensuring that our new family member gets proper nutrition? Can he eat a largely vegan diet? If so, what additional supplementary foods or items would you suggest? -- B.P., Palm City, Florida

DEAR B.P.: I am glad that you asked this important question, because there are nutrigenomic (breed-specific nutritional) factors in canine diets, which can make a big difference in dogs’ health and longevity.

German shepherds are especially vulnerable to pancreatic enzyme depletion and insufficiency when fed too much carb-heavy, starchy food, and also to colitis, possibly associated with high gluten content. Some fruits and vegetables are fine, while nuts are less digestible. Too much broccoli (and related cruciferous vegetables) could lower thyroid function.

The home-prepared recipe on my website is one option, others being freeze-dried, grain-free dog foods such as Sojos and Honest Kitchen, available in some pet-supply stores and online. As far as raw foods go, never feed raw fish to a dog, because of parasite risks.

I applaud your family’s dietary choices: They’re good for you and for planet Earth, but not for all dogs -- yours in particular.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxVet.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I saw your comments on the rescue husky barking at the grandpa. I have a similar issue with my 3-year-old white German shepherd, Missy, a female rescue we adopted three months ago. She was very nervous initially; it took four days before I could get near her. And then she became my “Velcro” dog. She is with me all the time. Initially, she was scared of everyone, but has grown bolder. She barks when the doorbell rings, but when the visitor enters, she usually quiets down quickly as long as I am with her.

However, she seemed to take an instant dislike to my husband and adult son (who lives with us), and barks wildly at them all the time. When my husband settles in his recliner, she settles down near me, but if my hubby even raises his arm, she barks madly. As time goes on, she has grown bolder: Sometimes her hackles rise and she runs at my hubby as though she is going to bite him. Same with our son. They have both tried, and continue to try, to make friends with her, but unsuccessfully.

I’d welcome any ideas you have. I can only suspect her behavior is reflective of some occurrence(s) in her past. We will learn to live with it and hope time will improve the situation. -- K.H., St. Louis, Missouri

DEAR K.H.: Clearly your dog had a traumatic earlier life, and your detailed description of her gradual recovery will interest many readers.

Over time, she may well become desensitized to some aspects of the behavior of the males in your family that currently upset her. It is best that they ignore her reactions and not try to force her to change her behavior, or try to show affection toward her.

It may help if you all wear the same scent -- a few dabs of essential oil of lavender being a good choice -- and put a couple of drops on a bandanna around the dog’s neck in the morning and evening, as well. Have the two men in the house take turns putting the dog’s food out with you standing beside them. Ignore her when and if she barks at them -- this is another conditioned reaction, which should abate with time if not reinforced by any reaction. Refrain from telling her to be quiet, and simply pretend not to hear her.

It may also help if you sit down with one of the men next to you on the sofa and have the dog sit or stand next to you as you brush her. Get her used to a regular grooming and additional stroking and massage, passing the brush to whomever is sitting next to you to continue. Most dogs enjoy such stimulation, and she should eventually come when called and when she sees the brush -- even, eventually, to either of the men to be groomed and petted.

Keep me posted. Time is a big healer, but conditioned aversive emotional reactions take understanding and patient insight to overcome.

K.H. REPLIES: Just a couple more comments for your consideration. I have wondered: Since Missy apparently used to live with only one human, does that mean to her that I should be the only person in the house? People who visit and leave are OK with her, but because hubby and son are here a lot, I think she feels she needs to let them know they shouldn’t be here. She still shows fear of them sometimes, but usually looks happy to see them -- but still barks. However, on the rare occasion I am not in the house and hubby or son is, she avoids them, but never barks at them. That seems to be triggered by my presence.

We are trying the feeding and grooming, and are determined to modify her behavior eventually with patience, persistence and love.

DEAR K.H.: Your additional observations add another dimension of possibility in the often-challenging task of understanding/interpreting canine behavior. You now say her barking seems to be triggered by your presence. That could be her way of asserting her bond with, and protectiveness of, you.

See how she behaves when you hug your son and then your husband in her presence -- repeatedly. Then hug her. Then all three of you lie down on the floor together. She may then get the message that you are also bonded with them and she has no need to protect or be possessive of you! Once she feels part of the family pack, she will be more secure and accepting of the two men in the home with you.

SUPPORT THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is an essential team of legal experts fighting to protect animals nationwide through litigation, legislation and assisting law enforcement and prosecutors with animal criminal cruelty cases. The animals need us badly, so please consider supporting this lifesaving work.

Together, we can raise the legal status of animals from “property,” and ensure animal protection laws are strong -- and vigorously enforced. Animals need legal experts, because the law is the most powerful tool we have to fight animal abuse and to bring abusers to justice.

When you give a membership gift of $25 or more to the ALDF, you will receive the quarterly newsletter “The Animals’ Advocate,” which provides updates on cases and victories that your support helps to achieve -- and the insider details behind legal strategies to help animals and advance their rights. More information is available at aldf.org.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxVet.net.)