For most of human history, we humans were gatherer-hunters with an intimate knowledge of the natural world. This knowledge was the basis of our animistic religious sensibility that felt and respected the life force in all things, as in ourselves, which gave us a sense of kinship with all life.

Lakota author Luther Standing Bear, in his 1933 book, “Land of the Spotted Eagle,” wrote: “The animal has rights -- the right of man’s protection. ... The concept of life and its relations was humanizing and gave the Lakota an abiding love. It filled his being with the joy and mystery of living; it gave him reverence for all life; it made a place for all things in the scheme of existence with equal respect for all.”

Missionary doctor Albert Schweitzer later echoed this spiritual realization in his philosophy of reverence for life, especially from the perspectives of world peace and disease prevention. I see this as the fundamental bioethical principle of One Health.

Contemporary religions have taken us away from such affinities with other living beings and the natural world, long condemning such views as primitive paganism, heretical to the divine order of man under God and man over all else. It is surely time to make amends to all indigenous peoples and species, and the natural environment that sustains us all.

DEAR DR. FOX: Our little mixed-breed Cavalier King Charles spaniel yawns widely every few minutes when she is awake.

She is a rescue, about 5 years old and 21 pounds, full of joy and playfulness. She eats well and seems healthy, but the yawning bothers me because I have never seen a dog do this so much. Have you? -- G.T.W., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR G.T.W.: Yawning in some animal species is thought to be a social signal of relaxation or a tension-reducing behavior. In humans, it may help cool the brain.

You have a breed of dog that can suffer from neurological problems associated with a skull that is misshapen in the back by the neck, putting pressure on the brain. This is called a Chiari type 1 malformation. It may lead to syringohydromyelia: a painful condition of fluid buildup in the brain cavities that can affect locomotion; cause pain, irritation and scratching of the shoulders, head and neck; and even seizures. Yorkshire terriers and miniature and toy poodles can also develop this condition, which can be treated with surgery and medication.

If your dog is showing no other signs of discomfort or neurological impairment, she may have a very mild form of this malady, or else her yawning has another cause yet to be determined. Yawning may indicate a lack of oxygen due to a heart problem -- common in small breeds, especially -- or low blood pressure.

Dogs, like humans, have mirror neurons in their brains that make them highly responsive to others’ faces and actions. Some dogs actually sneeze or yawn when a person in front of them does so, and so your yawning could be a trigger for your dog. Or else there is an external trigger that sets her off, and you need to note the time and conditions that might be a trigger, such as turning on the TV or other electronic devices. Some emit non-ionizing radiation or high-frequency sounds, which could upset your dog, who then yawns as a sign of anxiety or as an attempt to relax.

Another possibility: Is she doing it simply to get your attention away from the TV, computer or smartphone? These devices do affect how animals behave around us, and dogs, like infants, seek attention from their distracted caregivers. In my opinion, these devices should be used for very limited periods in both homes and workplaces because of the potential harm of non-ionizing radiation, as well as the potential damage to the brain development of younger users.

I never thought there could be so many reasons for yawning! I am sure there are more. In any case, a full veterinary checkup would be advisable.

ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH HOMELESS SHELTER TO COVER CARE FOR PETS

Nonprofit organization Pets of the Homeless works with Lighthouse Mission Ministries in Bellingham, Washington, to cover the costs of food and veterinary care for the pets of homeless people.

Allowing pets extends the shelter’s reach, says Lighthouse Executive Director Hans Erchinger-Davis, adding that having a pet brings feelings of safety and connection to people as they “start their journey towards health.” (KCPQ, May 9)

I hope more communities and civic leaders will pick up on this kind of good Samaritanism and extend their concern and compassion to people’s companion animals. The mental health savings are well worth the cost of helping the homeless and the poor keep their animals with them, and to help ensure they are kept well-fed and healthy.

(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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: When our son was 5 years old, a friendly dog jumped up and knocked him down. Since then, he has been scared of dogs. We are thinking getting a puppy may help. Rob is 9 now. What do you think we should do? -- K.L., Fargo, North Dakota

DEAR K.L.: Where there is fear, there can be neither trust nor understanding. That goes for animals as well as our children, and our relationships with each other. Unresolved fears can lead to categorical ignorance, prejudice and hatred.

I would first take your son to a dog park and let him observe dogs playing together. Stay at a safe distance, since dogs can knock people down while chasing and playing with each other. Explain how they enjoy running, chasing toys and each other, along with how they communicate by wagging tails, body language and even wrestling/play-fighting. Make a few visits, and perhaps a quiet and friendly dog will come close to Rob and you. Pet the dog so your son will see that dogs are not a danger. Have him remain quiet and still and extend his hand to let the dog sniff him, if the dog wants to. If you have a neighbor with an easygoing dog, have your son accompany you and the neighbor while walking the dog, and explain why dogs like to sniff and mark along the way. Also, go over and visit the dog in the home.

All of this will help desensitize Rob, and hopefully, convince him that dogs are really cool, after all -- especially if he can throw a ball for one to retrieve. Then ask him if he would like one of his own. If that is his wish, visit the local animal shelter and see what dogs are available of the size and temperament you feel is best. (Remember that pups, while cute, require extra care and attention to become housebroken.) Shelters can be very unsettling, with loudly barking caged dogs, so I would not take your son with you; he may feel overwhelmed and afraid.

DEAR DR. FOX: In your columns about cat nutrition, you really missed discussing an important diet for cats with hyperthyroidism. Are you aware of the research done by Hill’s, and the Prescription Diet y/d food that was developed as a result of their findings?

After practicing for 51 years, I prescribed this diet for some patients, and over time, it brought their thyroid function to normal levels. -- Dan Merkey, DVM; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

DEAR DR. MERKEY: I appreciate your confirmation that this prescription diet can help cats recover from hyperthyroidism.

I would expect some recovery of thyroid function, provided the condition is caught early on. But not all cat owners are that vigilant, and I wish more would get their cats in for annual wellness examinations before this and other chronic diseases take hold.

One issue is that cats can be so difficult for owners to get into a carrier. Getting the cat used to sleeping in an open crate makes all the difference when it is time for an annual checkup. Some veterinarians do house calls, though these are generally more costly.

Since thyroid disease is so common in cats, it does become the responsibility of cat food manufacturers to address excessive levels of iodine in their products containing seafood/seafood byproducts, along with fluoride. This is one of the ironies of the pet food industry: It makes animals ill with some of its conventional dietary formulations, then profits by selling corrective prescription diets -- most of which are very costly, generally unpalatable and include biologically inappropriate ingredients.

My advice to cat owners to prevent this disease is to avoid cat foods containing seafood ingredients; visit feline-nutrition.org for home-prepared diet recipes; get rid of flame-retardant, chemically treated carpets, and cover treated upholstery with cotton sheets; and avoid large cans of cat food lined with BPA, a chemical that can disrupt thyroid function.

DOG BITE PREVENTION: WHY BREED-SPECIFIC LEGISLATION IS NOT THE ANSWER

Breed-specific legislation (BSL) targets specific breeds of dogs that are wrongly thought to be dangerous -- most frequently “pit bull types” -- and places stricter regulations on these dogs or even makes ownership of them illegal. While BSL may look good on the surface, it is not a reliable or effective solution for dog bite prevention. This position, taken by the American Veterinary Medical Association, is detailed at avma.org/public/Pages/Why-Breed-Specific-Legislation-is-not-the-Answer.

(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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

Sally Jenkins’ May 9 Washington Post article, “Horse Racing Is Just a Gussied-up Vice,” documents some of the ethical and animal welfare concerns this industry needs to address, especially the fact that horses are raced at too young an age. They are not skeletally mature until they reach 4 years of age. However, prize money for 2-year-old racing continues to climb, making these immature horses a more profitable option, despite the huge risk of injury. Allowing them to properly mature would take too long and cost too much.

Most racehorses are retired by the end of their fourth year due to injury, chronic illness or an inability to win in higher classes. Most horses in training are confined to a stall for as long as 22 hours per day. Ninety percent of horses suffer from ulcers as a result of stress and an unnatural feeding regimen. Horses control their stomach acids by continuously grazing, which they are unable to do confined to a stall. Some 90 percent suffer from bleeding in the lungs due to overexertion when racing. For more details, visit horseracingkills.org.

Horses have served humanity in countless ways for millennia. It is now time for us to cease their unwarranted, money-driven exploitation and suffering. Selectively breeding, cloning and drugging horses for speed, and then racing them when they are too young and therefore prone to injury, should be prosecuted as felony animal cruelty.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have had four outdoor rescue cats (who became indoor cats) over the years. I am also allergic to bee stings, so I had my outdoor deck screened in. All four cats have enjoyed the fresh air and being able to see the yard. The best part is that we can sit together and enjoy the view. It’s a great idea for cat and dog lovers. -- B.M., Rhinebeck, New York

DEAR B.M.: I hope cat owners will take note of your initiative.

No cat should ever be allowed to roam free. Cats really do enjoy the visual stimulation and ability to sniff the outdoors from a cat-proof deck. In a pinch, a very secure window screen and a padded shelf by the windowsill will give many apartment-dwelling cats some environmental enrichment. Hanging a bird-feeder close to the window or in front of the patio screen provides additional stimulation -- it seems to be more entertaining than frustrating for most cats, as they watch for hours.

CANINE BRUCELLOSIS CONFIRMED AT IOWA FACILITY

Several cases of canine brucellosis were confirmed at a commercial small-dog breeding facility in Marion County, Iowa, according to state public health officials.

The disease is transmissible to humans. In dogs, it causes fever, lethargy and spontaneous abortion. In humans, it leads to fever, headache, joint pain and weakness.

All animals from the facility are undergoing testing, although State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand advises testing for any dog obtained recently from a source in the county. (Des Moines Register, 5/13)

I would add the warning not to purchase a pup online from any commercial breeder.

(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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)