Lets talk tongues shall we? –
The other day – Jaxson crawled up on the couch and preceeded to lick everything –
- his private parts
- his paw
- the bottom of my foot
Besides making a mental note to wipe my feet off before climbing into bed (after all my “feet” did come AFTER his private parts) – I started to think about this particular “maintenance free” part of a dogs anatomy.
DID YOU KNOW? –
A dogs tongue has many duties and actions –
It’s a radiator, a water-lapper a healer of wounds, a food conveyor a register of tastes, a texture sensor, and a wet equivalent of a dog’s handshake. Source: PetMD
Responding to taste, touch, pain, and aiding in heat dissipation are its primary duties.
However, I found it fascinating to learn when it comes to tasting, the canine tongue can discern different sensations.
The sensation of –
- sour – is evenly dispersed over the top of the tongue
- salt – is along the lateral edges and the rear
- sweet – is along the edges and front of the tongue
Have you ever watched how effective they are when drinking? Watch closely – their tongue looks remarkably similar to a soup ladle…
Think of the tongue as a hand substitute for dogs. Dogs use their tongues to pick-up and investigate objects with their mouths. They’re able to “feel” and “identify” by both taste and texture. Their tongues are always wet due to four pairs of salivary glands that all transport the saliva into the mouth.
The tongue is “da boss!” Everything else in the mouth is an assistant.
TONGUE CHECK –
Get in the habit of working your fingers under each side of the tongue from time to time for ulcers, bruises or bumps. Inspect the underside, and glance around for odd things lurking or wedged between back teeth.
A dogs tongue is one A-mazing piece of anatomy.
Although it carries out many tasks – the one I especially enjoy serves only one function – making me giggle…
Enjoy your week – make it Doodle*tastic!
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue ❤️
July 23, 2017
Dear Cathy,
I have a Labradoodle, Bacon, daughter’s dog and Teddy the Goldendoodle our dog sleeping at my house tonight and both of them have a competition of licking me simultaneously. Bacon prefers my moustache and beard while Teddy will lick anything in reach.
There’s no accounting for taste.
They both wanted to sleep on my bed tonight. No chance, they’re both bed hogs.
Off to the guest bedroom with them both.
Rich Henriques
Once a CPT in the 7th Cavalry
And doodle lover
July 24, 2017
Hey Rich –
Don’t event me started on the bed routine. The Boys make sure they get upstairs before Doodle Dad do they can stretch out on his side. He refuses to go in the other room, and they refuse to move. It’s a midnight comedy act for sure. But at the end of the day, we all seem to fit, and we laugh at the nighttime antics the next morning. Doodles are without a doubt the most entertaining dogs in the world #myopinion
Take care.
July 24, 2017
My little sisters have some of the longest tongues in the world I think. When they walk in the summer, they practically drag on the street! We all love using our tongues for licking our privates and then kissing Mom. It’s what dogs do 🙂
July 24, 2017
You got that right Emma – I just wish the licking order was the other way around. LOL
July 24, 2017
Ah yes, the dog tongue! Quite the little – or big – “organ” with its many functions. Like you, my favorite function is big, slobbery puppy kisses.
July 24, 2017
I never EVER thought I would be that person who allowed my dog to lick me – but I am. It’s the most rewarding thing – especially after a long day away from them. Nothing like it!
July 24, 2017
well his privates were CLEAN after all… Poor Milo has so many missing teeth he really relies on the tongue!
July 24, 2017
I just keep my fingers crossed that those parts are in fact clean LOL
July 25, 2017
Here’s to loads of giggles.
July 26, 2017
The best part of my days…
July 26, 2017
I love a dog who’s a big kisser! Luke is like that. Though, yes, you have to pay attention to where that tongue has been before it gets to you! LOL
Very interesting post, I didn’t know a lot of that! I wonder if that means when Luke picks up everything he finds on the ground, he won’t necessarily eat it all, he’s just checking it out? 🙂
August 1, 2017
Don’t know if you could safely test that theory my friend, but when you do – please be close in the event Luke decides to consume it after all. LOL Take care….