DEAR READERS: When my wife and I would talk in front of our dog Kota, we had to spell out certain words -- such as "out," "down," "stay," "treat" and "bedtime" -- to keep her from responding. Kota is a 9-year-old rescued Australian red heeler mix, and her attentiveness to our conversations was quite remarkable.

I would like to hear from readers with similar experiences with their dogs, who may be in the category of so-called gifted word-learners. Such dogs have been the subject of canine behavioral research by scientists in Hungary, reviewed by a former graduate student of mine, Dr. Marc Bekoff, in a recent Psychology Today article. Read it here: psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/animal-emotions/202312/gifted-word-learning-dogs-share-common-traits.

(Full study: “A citizen science model turns anecdotes into evidence by revealing similar characteristics among Gifted Word Learner dogs” by Shany Drar, et al, Scientific Reports, December 2023)

IS YOUR CAT A RETRIEVER?

My first cat, when I was living alone as a bachelor, was a Siamese named Igor. He was a wonderful companion with a great sense of humor. He would stalk me at night, leap on my back when I crouched down or threaten me in mock aggression. He also really enjoyed retrieving various toys that I would throw for him.

Now, behavioral scientists are looking more closely at retrieving behavior in cats. A survey of more than 900 people who own fetch-playing cats suggests that the animals prefer fetching only specific items, or playing in certain places, with certain people. Cats who play fetch usually start when they are younger than 1 year old, and they tend to initiate and end fetching sessions more than their owners do, researchers reported.

“We had an overwhelming number of people say their cat was not trained to do this,” says psychologist and study co-author Jemma Forman.

Cats are more inclined to fetch items that resemble prey, while dogs appear to play fetch as a social game with other dogs or with people. Although retrieving behavior in dogs is thought to be the result of selective breeding, researchers said it’s unclear why cats would play fetch.

With Igor, I interpreted his retrieving as him giving me prey he had caught.

(Full study: “Fetching felines: a survey of cat owners on the diversity of cat (Felis catus) fetching behaviour” by Jemma Forman, et al, Scientific Reports, December 2023)

DEAR DR. FOX: This is just to express my love for the children’s book you wrote, “Vixie: The Story of a Little Fox.” It was my favorite book as a child, and I breathe the lovely air of Vixie’s and Whitepaws’s world every time someone spots a fox in my neighborhood. Thanks for Vixie. -- J.P., Independence, Missouri

DEAR J.P.: What a pleasant surprise to receive your note of appreciation for my book “Vixie: The Story of a Little Fox.” I have written several children’s books, including “The Wolf,” which won the Christopher Award for children’s literature; “Sundance Coyote,” which was a nominated finalist for the Mark Twain award; “Lost Dogs Three,” which was widely promoted by Scholastic Books (along with “The Wolf”); and “Ramu and Chennai,” which received a National Teachers Association award for best science book.

However, all are regrettably now out of print! If there are any publishers out there who might wish to reprint any of these and other children’s books that I have written, I would be happy to receive their consideration! Profits from my writings go to support animal rescue and environmental protection 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: I am in the process of preparing my will and want to list some organizations that are doing good work in animal rescue and conservation. Can you please give me some to consider? -- K.L.P., Washington, D.C.

DEAR K.L.P.: There are several nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations that may interest you, depending on which causes you wish to especially help. Some groups address one relatively specific issue, while others tackle many, engaging at a high level in investigations, rescues, even legislation and prosecution.

The Humane Society of the United States, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and the Animal Welfare Institute are wide-scope, primarily animal-focused organizations. Those with a more environmental and conservation agenda include the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Greenpeace, Earth Island Institute, World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Nature Conservancy, the Environmental Working Group, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Organizations with a more specific animal focus include the Humane Farming Association (with the largest farm animal sanctuary in the U.S.), Fish Feel (for aquatic life), the Xerces Society (for insects), Project Coyote, Center for Biological Diversity, World Vets, the Institute for Humane Education, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and the American Bird Conservancy.

Also, do not overlook your local animal shelter/rescue organizations and wildlife rehabilitation centers.

I urge all my readers to visit the websites of these organizations, as well as Charity Navigator, which objectively evaluates their performance and how they spend their money. Go to charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give.

TRIBUTE TO DEANNA L. KRANTZ FROM INDIA

DEAR READERS: Below, I am sharing a tribute to my late wife and partner, Deanna Krantz, from a longtime colleague of ours in India.

DEAR DR. FOX: I, Dr. M. Sugamaran, B.V.Sc., veterinarian, lay down the following as my tribute to our beloved director, the late Deanna L. Krantz.

I met Deanna in 1996 at the Nilgiris Animal Welfare Society shelter in Mavanalla, Tamil Nadu, South India while I was in government veterinary service. Under her supervision, I performed surgery on a bull we named Ramu to treat one of his injured eyes. Impressed by my work, she requested my service for ailing animals at the shelter and Masinagudi Village areas.

Inspired by her concern for suffering animals -- including community dogs, abandoned donkeys, ponies and horses -- I provided my services as much as possible, as did other vets. Animals and farmers in many villages and tribal communities benefitted due to Deanna’s relentless contributions.

She founded the India Project for Animals and Nature (IPAN) in 1998, and her presence created an awareness of wildlife and nature conservation. Compassion was put into action by Deanna’s persistent involvement. The alleviation of suffering and the extension of life for numerous suffering animals became practically possible in our country. A classic example was with the elephant Loki.

Loki was captured in 1998 from the wild and was suffering from serious illness due to tethering injuries. Soon after capturing, Deanna directed us to provide the required veterinary care and food, even bringing in experts from the U.S., and saved Loki from the brink of death. Loki lived for 24 years more and died in 2022.

Deanna often received death threats after confronting perpetrators of animal cruelty, and she rebuffed harassment by corrupt police officials. After the takeover of IPAN during a brief leave in the U.S., Deanna continued to support my free veterinary services to the poor, and even helped fund my son’s veterinary college education. He now works with me at our nonprofit organization, Prakriti Save Nature Trust.

The active animal welfare services in India are replications of the contributions of Deanna Krantz and Dr. Michael Fox. There is a lot to say about Deanna’s contributions for animal welfare and nature care in India. Some may try to hide her contributions, but truth prevails.

Deanna, I know you are now with the beloved animals for whom you cared, but who you outlived. With tears and our deepest thanks for all you gave,

Dr. M. Sugumaran and family; Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, India

DEAR DR. SUGUMARAN: I greatly appreciate your tribute to my late wife, and I wish you continued success in your work for the animals in one of the last, and most beautiful, wild places in India.

If readers wish to send tax-deductible donations to your registered charity, Prakriti Save Nature Trust Gudalur, they should visit prakritigudalur.in. (Readers, this organization is government-certified to receive foreign donations and provides details for processing them.)

(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: I disagree with your frequent statement that TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate, release) is not effective. Cat overpopulation is a problem brought on by humans not spaying and neutering their cats. Just think if we didn’t TNVR cats: We would have millions more.

I will continue to TNVR in order to help bring down the population in my city. -- S.H., Tampa, Florida

DEAR S.H.: I appreciate and respect your dedication to solving this problem, though we disagree on methods. For other readers who may not be fully informed on this issue, I will again cite a study I have referenced before.

As I wrote in a 2020 column: "The City of Saratoga Springs, Utah, conducted an analysis on 'The Science of Feral Cats' to help it understand and effectively address feral cat issues in the community. This extensive report found that 'overwhelmingly, science does not support TNR programs as an effective method to reduce feral cat populations' and that such programs 'fail to adequately mitigate the significant threat to public health or alleviate the negative impacts on wildlife that feral and free-roaming cats pose.'"

For additional documentation on this issue, see my post: drfoxonehealth.com/post/releasing-cats-to-live-outdoors-humane-environmental-and-one-health-concerns.

TOXOPLASMOSIS-RELATED HEALTH ISSUES IN ELDERLY PEOPLE

Keeping cats indoors and giving them regular veterinary wellness examinations are the best ways to help prevent the spread of toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The domestic cat is the definitive host that harbors and spreads this parasite to humans and other species when allowed to roam free.

In a groundbreaking study recently published in the Journals of Gerontology, a group of international scientists report the potential contribution of infection with this parasite to the signs of frailty in older adults, including exhaustion and muscle loss. (See "Toxoplasma gondii IgG Serointensity Is Positively Associated With Frailty" by Hira Mohyuddin, M.D., et al, Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2023.)

Another review on the effects of this parasite on humans concludes: "Toxoplasmosis could play a substantial role in the etiopathogenesis of mental health disorders." (See "Negative Effects of Latent Toxoplasmosis on Mental Health" by Jaroslave Flegr and Jiri Horacek, Front Psychiatry, 2019.)

Other studies have correlated toxoplasmosis infection with an increase in impulsive acts of violence, which forensic psychiatrists and criminologists should consider.

A WONDERFUL BOOK: 'COYOTE CONVERSATIONS'

My daughter, Camilla Fox, founder and CEO of Project Coyote, sent me the book “Coyote Conversations: Photos and Poems from the Field.” The author, Mark Surls, is a volunteer with her organization. I have never been touched so deeply by any other book of poetry, coupled with exquisite photography of the wild and the free, like this one.

Our lives, and all meaning, are embedded in this sacred matrix that we call wilderness. In it, we are never lost, but rather find ourselves -- as well as respite and healing from our captivity in the industrial wilderness of the technosphere, which is supplanting, transforming and annihilating the biosphere and the spirit of the wild feral.

Surls’ inspiring book opens the door to our kinship with the coyote, calling to end this tragedy and insanity.

(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.)