DEAR DR. FOX: I adopted a 9-year-old female poodle a year ago. Aside from me, she won't have anything to do with anyone -- especially men. When my husband passed away two months ago, several of my female friends came to visit me. As they started petting my dog, she would put her front legs around their arm and start humping it. I was so embarrassed.

What is going on? Could she be gay? Do I just need to keep her away from my lady friends?

DEAR C.M.: Your dog is just excited by your visitors, and is engaging in contact-play. This behavior could be triggered by the natural pheromones women emit or from various body lotions and perfumes that contain dubious animal-derived ingredients. Grasping and clinging behaviors have elements of affection, domination and sexuality. We see this behavior when dogs play with each other -- regardless of their sex, neutered or not.

Your dog is simply beside herself with joy, and should not be punished or isolated for this. Just laugh it off and redirect your dog's behavior with a squeaky toy or a knotted rope with which to play tug-of-war.

DEAR DR. FOX: Were the very first living things on Earth plants or animals? Or would they perhaps not be classified as either flora or fauna, as we currently define them? -- M.D.R., Tulsa, Oklahoma

DEAR M.D.R.: In my rambling article entitled "A Reflection on Animals, Nature and the Human Condition" (posted on my website, drfoxonehealth.com), I refer to the assertion of some evolutionary biologists that relatives of today's Cyanobacteria were probably the first living organisms on Earth that began to produce oxygen, which enabled other life forms to evolve. I reference this theory in order to encourage greater respect for all life: plant, animal and microscopic!

Without various bacteria, fungi and viruses, we would not exist. Our ignorance, indifference and adversarial attitudes toward other species ultimately lead us to harm ourselves. All life is connected and interdependent.

SMALL DOG BREEDS NEED EXTRA DENTAL CARE

Extra-small dog breeds -- those less than 14 pounds -- are up to five times more likely to develop periodontal disease than giant breeds weighing more than 55 pounds, according to a study recently published in the Veterinary Journal. Age, weight and history of preventive care are also risk factors. The researchers say smaller dogs' proportionally larger teeth cause overcrowding, which allows more plaque and tarter to accumulate, and that small dogs' alveolar bones are small in proportion to their teeth. (Full story: VetSurgeon.org, 10/6)

NEW BOOK: ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON NATURE, CONSERVATION

I encourage readers to seek out "Ecolibrium: The Sacred Balance in Islam" by Nadeem Haque, Al-Hafiz B.A. Masri and Mehran Banaei. This scholarly and inspiring book, for which I was given the honor to write the foreword, has been many years in the making.

This book will be of interest and inspiration for all who share concern about the fate of the Earth, and what can be done from the spiritual and ethical perspective offered by Islam. I knew, loved and worked with Haque's grandfather on animal welfare issues, in particular the inhumane aspects of ritual halal and kosher slaughter.

Readers may be interested in my writings on Islam, which will be published in a future book by Haque. If so, find the post "Islam and Animals: A Veterinary Bioethical Perspective" at drfoxonehealth.com.

(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 READERS: The agreement that was reached Nov. 13 at the COP26 Climate Change Summit in Glasgow is woefully inadequate. This is because of the last-minute inclusion of this troubling phrase: "... accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies." The term "phase-down" replaced the original "phase-out" at the request of India and China. India is also one of the world's biggest producers of buffalo meat that is exported for sale as beef.

There will only be a very slow end to the burning of fossil fuels and raising billions of animals for their meat if their adverse public health, wildlife, and biodiversity and environmental consequences are not recognized, publicized and rectified. These connections were evidently not considered at this summit, even though there were many voices and public demonstrations advocating conservation, environmental and social justice: the political ethos of the One Health movement embraced by various "green" parties and Indigenous peoples (onehealthinitiative.com).

We must all focus on how we can live gentler, healthier lives and refrain from harming other species -- domesticated, farmed or wild -- or their habitats. One consequence of our ignoring and disrespecting ethical, humane and ecological boundaries has been the increase in viral diseases spread from animals to humans. The global COVID-19 pandemic is the latest consequence.

China, highly advanced in gene engineering animals, denies the possibility of a lapse in biosecurity at one of its virology laboratories. But such lapses have happened -- in the U.S. and several other countries. Regardless of its origins, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is related to other infectious organisms that are on the horizon of "emerging diseases" forecast by epidemiologists.

A major failure of the recent global summit was to make any concrete, coordinated commitment to address the looming crises of extreme weather events, including droughts and floods, and the consequential urgent need for humanitarian aid, food security and support of medical and veterinary services -- without borders. Failure to agree to "loss and damage" finances for countries that are especially vulnerable to climate change was most regrettable indeed.

The increasingly fiery, violent waves of desperate and disenfranchised environmental, economic and political refugees, like the burning of coal, should not smolder on for another generation. Social and environmental justice go hand in hand, along with human and non-human rights. As Mike Davis of advocacy group Global Witness reported, "Global leaders ... have failed to put people and the planet ahead of profits and vested corporate interests."

The ethics of the Golden Rule and nonmaleficence -- the "do no harm" principle espoused by physicians -- should be applied to all our activities, relationships and industries.

DEAR DR. FOX: The life expectancy in the Central African Republic is 53. Instead of breeding and supporting so many pets, let's first find meaning and joy in raising the standard of living for humans. Insulin shots for 14-year-old dogs, for instance, are truly unnecessary. -- T.V.H., Tulsa, Oklahoma

DEAR T.V.H.: Your letter raises an important moral issue, and it does seem hypocritical, if not unjust, to give better nutrition, medical care and surgical treatments to companion animals ("pets" in the vernacular) than to the poor at home and abroad.

I regard compassion as a boundless ethic, as per the titles of my books "The Boundless Circle" and "Bringing Life to Ethics." We have a duty to care for all our relations, human and non-human. The social, educational, medical and emotional benefits of animal companionship far outweigh the costs of care and annual wellness veterinary checkups.

Raising the standard of living for humans is inseparable from raising the standards of care for domestic animals, wildlife and the natural environment. Just giving people medicine and food aid, and pouring more money into corrupt regimes, will only extend human suffering without the involvement of nonprofit doctors and veterinarians, government aid agencies and conservation organizations.

(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: Here is a clip of an article that mentions your research -- I am trying to locate the full article. Could you please help?

The clip says: "The so-called '49-day method' is based upon research by Dr. Michael Fox. His conclusion was that a puppy's brain is fully developed at that date. The puppy is therefore ready to either bond with its new pack or fall into the pack hierarchy that it was born into. This was the most pioneering science for canine development in its time (late 1980s)." -- S.S. Tulsa, Oklahoma

DEAR S.S.: I do not know the source of the statement you have sent about the "49-day method," but my guess is that it is derived from data showing there is a critical period for optimal puppy socialization and bonding with humans. Their brains are far from being "fully developed" at this age.

My research on brain and behavior development, published by the University of Chicago Press as "Integrative Development of Brain and Behavior in the Dog," was an extension of the work by John P. Scott and John L. Fuller on dog socialization (see their book "Genetics and Social Behavior of the Dog").

What I can say is that our combined research showed, breed differences and handling methods notwithstanding, the best time for puppies to bond with people is between 6-7 weeks of age. I identified fearfulness (learned avoidance) emerging during a sensitive period around 8 weeks of age. So I advise against shipping puppies, especially at this age, since the trauma could have long-lasting consequences.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a beautiful Airedale terrier who is 8 years old. I have been treating her for recurrent ear infections in her right ear since February. We have tried every course of treatment: antibiotics, drops, steroids, etc. Every time I take her to the vet, I have to give her anti-anxiety medication, including trazodone, gabapentin, clonidine and melatonin.

I am currently using another antibiotic drop, and brought her in for a recheck this past Saturday. Her ear is now worse. I don't know if it's from the cleaning that they did in the office, but she will now not even let me touch her ear. The office suggested that I reach out to a veterinary dermatologist. There are only a few in my area, and I have called them all, but won't be able to be seen until the end of December or early January.

I believe all these medications and the additional stress is compromising her overall well-being. I also feel that I'm running out of options. Could you please give me some advice or guidance? -- J.S., LaBelle, Florida

DEAR J.S.: Chronic external ear infections in dogs can mean misery for all involved. If neglected or not rectified, they can lead to various complications, from inner-ear infection to a blood-blister/hematoma on the ear, which may simply crumple up if not surgically corrected.

Your dog's ear problem could well have started with a moisture-loving fungus infection, which antibiotic drops will not eliminate and steroid drops may help proliferate. Waste no time in seeing a veterinary specialist, and advise them about your dog's anxiety/terror.

In my opinion, your dog should be deeply sedated, allowing the ear to be properly examined, thoroughly flushed and culture samples taken. The vet should prescribe a long-acting analgesic and also discuss your dog's diet: Supplements, especially omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils, may help reduce inflammation.

DOGS HELPING WILDLIFE MONITORING AND RESCUE

Trained detection dogs and their handlers are finding endangered animals such as Sierra Nevada red foxes and black-footed ferrets, along with invasive species such as zebra mussels. They are also detecting trafficked wildlife and helping conservationists understand the extent of avian mortality at wind farms. Dogs are well-suited to this detective work because of their keen sense of smell and broad capacity to learn new smells, and also because they work well with humans and other dogs, according to Dr. Lucia Lazarowski, who studies canine performance sciences at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. (Full story: Slate, Oct. 26)

(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.)