More than a million Aussies sleep alongside their dogs, new research claims.
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This sounds a bit exaggerated, but let's just go with the idea that a lot of people let their dogs snooze in their beds.
Guess this proves the old adage that dogs really are man's best friend. But what we'd like to know is, do they love us just because we feed and walk them? One thing's for sure, when golfers allow their dogs on the golf course with them, you know it's true love from the human side.
Newcastle Golf Club is doing exactly this on September 1, with its inaugural Dog Day. Owners will play nine holes in the afternoon, accompanied by their pooches.
But let's get back to that research.
The Elanco Aussie Dog Survey found seven out of 10 dog owners consider their dog to be part of the family.
It also found 27 per cent of owners allow their dogs to sleep in their beds at night, while 21 per cent send their dogs outside to sleep.
The research also reveals that we're treating our dogs as if they're people: 42 per cent celebrate their dog's birthday, one in three cook their dog meals, 42 per cent only buy the best food and products for their dog, and 32 per cent regularly buy gifts for their dog.
A lot of people don't flinch at spending up big on their pups, either. A third of young owners, for example, spend more than $3000 a year on their dog, which is apparently more than they spend on phone and internet access. Almost half of all owners spend more than $1800 a year on their dog.
We should keep in mind that Elanco sells stuff to treat parasites. But the survey found a lot of people aren't concerned about their dog spreading parasites to people.
For example, only 35 per cent of owners said they always wash their hands after touching their dog, 58 per cent of those surveyed let their dog lick their hands and 36 per cent let their dog lick their face.
Dr Claude Stanislaus, a veterinary manager at Elanco Animal Health, said "we need to remember that while we love our dogs, they are not people".
"A casual approach to dog hygiene can actually help spread nasty parasites to people," Dr Stanislaus said.
"Unlike us, dogs do not take daily showers, they stick their noses in each other's bottoms, they sometimes eat animal poo if they find it. We then hug them and invite them into our beds."
Laxative Science
Laxatives may hold the key to creating better mobile phones and hybrid cars.
Professor Rob Atkin - who was born and educated in Newcastle - was part of a team of scientists who uncovered special materials in laxatives.
These materials could be used to create "new electrolytes and powerful capacitors (components that store electrical energy) for use in electronics".
Professor Atkin, of the University of Western Australia, said the team studied the molecular structure of laxatives and created a detergent-like substance.
Electric cars have limited ranges and long charging times, typically more than four hours.
"However, this breakthrough could solve these problems through the development of high performance capacitors.
"This technology could also be used to power mobile phones, meaning faster charging times, and allowing them to run much longer between charges."
Professor Atkin said the finding held exciting possibilities for future advancements in technology.
All from laxatives. Who'd have thought it?