Fur Baby Feasts Indulging Your Dog s Culinary Desires with Exquisite Organic Cuisine

Go Ahead, Call Your Dog Your Fur Baby

When our daughter was born, we found ourselves using the words puppy and baby interchangeably.

My husband and I both grew up in households with dogs, and now have a 35-pound black dog with a white chest named Scout. Wed say things like Oh, the puppy is hungry, meaning our infant, or The baby needs a walk, referring to the dog. Wed often call the dog our toddler. Of course, it caused confusion sometimes because wed have to clarify whether we mean the human baby or the four-footed one.

Id occasionally refer to the pediatricians office as the veterinary office by accident. Id joke that our approach to our daughters health was like our dogsis her energy good, is her nose cold, and does she have a happy disposition? OK, then shes fine. Ultimately, I think we both hoped that wed instill a love of dogs into our daughter.

But as our babythe Homo sapiens onegot older and more aware of the world, I notice some surprising similarities between her and our furry pup. Both of them possessed a tendency toward devious problem-solving, whether it was the dog climbing on a chair to access the garbage can more effectively or the baby figuring out how to escape from her playpen. Perhaps our mix-up of language was not just an affectation but rooted in something firmer. After all, Im not the only one who refers to their pet as their fur child or puts animal ears on a toddler. In fact, recent research suggests that in terms of cognition, dogs and children have a lot in common.

For starters, neither dogs nor small children can talk (at least not in full sentences). But you can explain things to them and ask them to do things as well, as Daphna Buchsbaum, director of both the Computational Cognitive Development Lab and the Canine Cognition Lab at Brown University, notes. Dogs also show attachment to their owners, as babies do with their parents, Buchsbaum explains; both expect social engagement from the caregiver, and both respond to eye contact.

Dogs can be surprisingly good judges of character. Buchsbaum was an author on a February study that explored how dogs were able to differentiate between humans who provide them with accurate data versus those who do not. In the study, a person (an informant), would point to a cup where a treat might be located. The incorrect informant would point to a cup without the treat, while the accurate informant would point to the true treat. The question was whether dogs could learn which informant would consistently share the treat location. The work found that dogs are in that case able to follow the more accurate person and that children, too, have the sophisticated ability to understand essentially who is a good person to learn from, Buchsbaum said.

Dogs also have a basic understanding of object specifics, Buchsbaum said, which means understanding object permanence and solidity (i.e., objects cannot pass through one another). As for children, depending on what measures you use, even very young infants (possibly newborns) have some expectations about how objects should behave, though this continues to develop in toddlerhood and beyond, she explained. From about 12 to 18 months old, children spend a lot of time experimenting with and learning about object properties (think about how much they love to throw things!), Buchsbaum told me via email.

Some dogs show a remarkable ability to understandlanguage.

Canines dont have opposable thumbs, but the way they learn about other things is similar to the way that young humans learn. Brian Hare, professor of cognitive neuroscience at Duke University, noted in an email interview that dogs can learn words through fast mapping, like children. So rather than being taught every single word, these dogs learn by a process of exclusion, he explained. For instance, say theres a red ball and a toy car on a table, and your child knows the word ball but not car. If you ask them to get the car, theyll grab the object on the table that is not a ball.

Some dogs show a remarkable ability to understand language. The border collie Chaser was renowned for knowing more than 1,000 words, according to NPR, which is about the average number of words a 3-year-old child knows. And researchers at the University of CaliforniaSan Diego are studying dogs that seem to be able to communicate concepts with the use of buttons that say words aloud, like more, scritches, now. Of course, dogs do not have full language skills like an understanding of grammar, Buchsbaum cautioned.

But its not all about cognition. As much as some people might cringe when a kidless person refers to their dog as their child, our love for our dogs is comparable to our love for our children in some senses. Evan MacLean, director of Arizona Canine Cognition Center, noted that domestication may have selected for juvenile characteristics of wolves. Wolf puppies tend to have relatively big eyes, short snouts, floppy earsfamiliar attributes found in many young and adult breeds of dogsthat adult wolves dont have. These traits make them appear forever immature. Dogs are like Peter Pan, MacLean said. They get older, but they never grow up, and theyre kind of playing a trick on our brain to see them as babies that need to be taken care of. A 2014 study published in PLOS One, for which researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital took brain scans of women looking at pictures of their children and dogs, found that both instances triggers similar emotional and brain responses.

If youre a parent (of any kind!) you may have felt the happy high that comes with staring at those big eyes and snuggly little body. Parents and their new babies have a physiological mechanism called the oxytocin loop to help them bond when babies are not very verbal and extremely labor-intensive, Hare said, Researchers have found that dogs can insert themselves into this oxytocin loop so that when a dog stares at their owner, and vice versa, the oxytocin in it creates a similar kind of oxytocin loop as parents have with their new babies.

The inherent similarities between dogs and children can even point to new research avenues. Buschbaum is planning on studying joint attention in dogs. Its considered an important part of toddler development, when a child will want to engage a second person around an object like a toy. For any dog owner, that behavior may sound really familiaryoure playing fetch, and your pup returns a ball to someone else to get them in on the fun. Ultimately, these studies help us better understand how cognition and intelligence work in general.

But of course, its important to remember that there are critical differences between dogs and humans. Buchsbaum pointed out that as humans, we undervalue how dogs might see the world differently from us. We see the world primarily through vision, like our primate relatives, but dogs rely more on scent.

Someday my child will hopefully learn how to speak 20,00035,000 words, compose essays, care for herself, and cook her own dinner. Our dog, on the other hand, will always rely on us for the rest of her life. In that sense, shes even more infantile than an infantshell always be our baby.

Along with the countrys natural beauty coupled with the friendliness and hospitality of its people, Vietnams cuisine strongly distinguishes itself from the rest of the countries. Known to be very diverse, even from within the country itself, Vietnamese dishes could vary greatly between the North, Central Vietnam and the countrys South. Apart from its diversity, Vietnamese cuisine has a reputation of being flavorful, well-blended, low in fat, yet packed with a wonderful mix and variations of fresh herbs and seasoning which brings out the distinctly tasty character of its every dish.Regional VariationsNorthern Cuisine. Dishes from this part of the country are mostly colorful and marked with a neutral taste. People use seasoning to add flavor according to their own preference, though most popularly used are diluted fish sauce and shrimp paste. Hanoi, where the entirety of Northern Vietnams culinary culture converged, is famous for certain dishes such as Pho, Bun thang, Bun cha, Bun oc, Com (green rice flakes of Vong village) and Banh cuon Thanh Tri (steamed rice rolls) among the many. Though each varies in taste, all of these dishes are savory. Belostomatid essence and Vietnamese basil of Lang Village are condiments also known unique only to Hanoi.Cuisine of Central Vietnam. People from Central Vietnam appear to be more discern diners than those from the North and South. They prefer their dishes to have a more distinct taste to it, stronger flavors, spicier and have distinguishing red and dark brown color characteristics. Here, popular seasonings are Mam tom chua (made from shrimp and green papaya) and different varieties of shrimp pastes. Imperial cuisine is recognized as signature cooking in this region. In fact, travelers who happen to visit Hue are mostly impressed upon experiencing Imperial dishes known served to royal families in the past. Its very spicy nature, the attractive blend of colors and the creative fashion of presenting the dishes into a variation of small portions, reflecting a beautiful portrait of Imperial cuisine, are things travelers never fail to notice and greatly appreciate.Southern Cuisine. Embodying Chinese, Cambodian and Thai influences, most of the Southern Vietnamese dishes tend to be sweeter and spicier. The diverse cooking style of its local residents reflects these peoples efficient way of cleaning, drying, preserving and storing fishes as well agricultural products to allow consumption for lengthier periods since the Southern regions are deemed primary sources of the countrys agricultural work. Dried salted fishes are among the main ingredients used in their local popular dishes. Rural residents from this region commonly prepare meals from raw ingredients that are easily available on the field such as mudfish grilled on straw and mung bean porridge. Many of Vietnams noodle dishes today originated from Southern cuisine such as Bun mam (rice vermicelli served with shrimp paste soup), Hu tieu My Tho and Bun nuoc leo Soc Trang (rice noodle soups).Ethnic minority cuisines. Having 54 existing ethnic groups in the country at present, Vietnams culture itself is truly diversified since each of these groups present their own ethnic culture identity which likewise feature culinary characters that vary from the other. While people from the Central Highlands are known for cooking raw pork mixed with herbs and seasoning, provinces in the Northwest of Vietnam also have their signature dishes such as Pho chua (sour Pho), suckling pig, roast duck, Coong phu cake, grilled sticky rice and sour meat.Influences on Vietnamese CuisineIn Asian culture, the five elements known as Earth, Water, Fire, Metal and Wood has great influences on various aspects of their lives as such elements are seen to be instruments of maintaining its balance. Clearly, Vietnamese cuisine is not an exception as it greatly reflects an integration of these five elements into the nutrition, taste and colors of their dishes. The wonderful balance of nutritional elements such as liquid, protein, fat, powder and minerals; the incorporation of the five common colors in the presentation of their dishes: yellow to represent Earth, black to signify Water, red for Fire, white for Metal and green to symbolize Wood; and the skillful blend of the tastes of sweet, salty, bitter, sour and spicy; all characterizes the influence of such belief.The combination of a variety of fresh herbs and seasonings to enhance the flavor of the dishes reflects how they strongly embrace the Yin and Yang principle, and incorporating the belief in their day to day applications, particularly in cooking. Dishes characterized as cold or cool are accompanied with warm or hot condiments. Sour (yin) harmonizes with spicy (yang). The balance of Yin and Yang is also demonstrated through ingredient selection and the manner of serving the dishes according to the season and weather conditions. In the North, Pho is deemed as a perfect hot soup during winter periods, while duck meat, considered a cold dish, is traditionally served with warm ginger fish sauce. All these, center on the balance of Yin and Yang.Culture and Spirit of Vietnamese cuisineIn Vietnam, the cuisine itself reflects the culture and spirit of its people. Their culinary culture is an important aspect for individuals to please each other during dining, a time which is also considered a wonderful opportunity for them to communicate. How individuals behave during public dining, and even family members while having meals at home, is greatly motivated by their tradition. Respect, self-esteem and caution are observed every time they dine. Families dining together are also a strong tradition in the country as they look at it as an occasion for family members to spend time together, relax and share their thoughts and feelings. The dining table is where everyone often gathers to enjoy their meals. The younger ones are expected to invite the elders and allow them to have the first try of the dishes. Such demonstration of respect shows the loving spirit of Vietnamese families and the positive aspects of its culture in entirety. In fact, many of the common Vietnamese proverbs are centered on the culinary behavior of its people. When you eat, check the pots and pans; when you sit, check the direction and When eating chew well, think before speaking are among such proverbs.Inviting others to dine in their homes is a reflection of their social culture. Families or individuals hosting a party often prepare plenty of special dishes to express their sincerity and warm welcome to the guests. Though the food they prepare is intended to entertain the guests, the whole concept mirrors the friendliness and hospitality of the Vietnamese.