Sometimes, Going to the Dogs Is a Good Thing by Peter Rexford on Creators.com

Recently

What's Wrong About No Memory of the Wright Brothers I've long contended that there are particular words that should never be used in the same sentence. For instance, "homemade" and "helicopter." Think about it. Curiously and conversely, there are now words that are entirely …Read more. New Dollars You Probably Know Nothing About You may be familiar with the phrase, "Not worth a red cent." It means something isn't worth anything. It's a valid adage because, for collectors, red cents have a much higher value than those that are brown in color. Brown pennies are …Read more. Collectibles Prove U.S. Couldn't be More Divergent It's no secret that the U.S. has long been referred to as "the land of opportunity." Most relate that to employment or entrepreneurial possibilities. That's true. But because of our tremendously diverse history and geography, I look at it …Read more. Dead Poets (or Not) Get Their Postal Due "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to …Read more.

Sometimes, Going to the Dogs Is a Good Thing

We all know there are "dog people" and "cat people." On the rarest of occasions, someone can be both, but that's the exception. An old observation illustrates why. An owner of a dog will feed it, give it water, pet it and play with it. The dog thinks, "Wow! That person can supply me with food and water, nourishment and attention. He or she must be a god." Similarly, the owner of a cat will feed it, give it water, pet it and play with it. The cat thinks, "Excellent. That person supplies me with food and water, nourishment and attention. I must be a god!"

Over the years, the Postal Service has had its share of stamps featuring both dogs and cats. That's a good business decision. After all, the subjects on stamps are meant to appeal to the broadest number of people. Given our collective affinity for pets (in the U.S. we spend $43 billion annually on them) people will be inclined to buy stamps with a dog or cat on it. And, if they collect them and don't use them, that's pure profit for the Postal Service.

If you were to count up every pet/animal image on all stamps issued over the years, I'd wager dogs would come out on top. Just last week, I wrote about a stamp issued last year featuring a dog named "Owney." In the 1800s he became an international celebrity as a stray that became a postal mascot and dog that rode the mail trains. That stamp was voted "Best Issue of 2011" in a national poll.

As many dog owners understand, some of the very best dogs are mutts or strays. Perhaps because their lives began in difficulty or abandonment they can often be the most loyal, dedicated and intelligent. Whatever the reason, this week the Postal Service is again honoring canine friends that do much more than fetch a ball or slobber on our feet.

The four new stamps showcasing "Dogs at Work" — support dogs in a variety of vocations. Specifically, they feature a guide dog, tracking dog, therapy dog, and a search and rescue dog.

Insofar as individual talents, guide dogs now assist 10,000 people with vision issues in the U.S.

and Canada. While dogs assisted the blind for centuries, the first actual school for such dogs was founded in Germany in 1916. The first graduates aided veterans blinded during World War I.

While seemingly not nearly as copiously trained, therapy dogs have often proved to be the best medicine for many people including disaster victims, abused children, the elderly and infirmed. The dogs can often be found at schools, nursing homes and hospitals. Their medicine can be powerfully positive, and they could be considered the last of the traditional doctors as some of the dogs still make "house calls" to homebound people.

Tracking dogs have been invaluable to soldiers and law enforcement. Between their keen sense of smell and uncanny intuition, they detect explosives, guns, drugs and contraband while ardently protecting their handlers. Types of those dogs can range from beagles to German shepherds.

Finally, search dogs have the most harrowing job as they are virtually always working against the clock. These dogs — most often bloodhounds, Labs, golden retrievers or German shepherds — jump into search operations after a catastrophe such as an earthquake, avalanche, or they can help out if a child goes missing in the woods. Some have senses so acute they can even detect a scent in or near water. The devastating tornados in the U.S. in 2011 put many of these dogs to the tragic test.

The dogs on the four 65-cent stamps (good for first-class letters up to two-ounces) may be hard workers, but pretty much as with all pups, they will evoke ooohs and aaahs from dog lovers.

The new stamps are now available at most post offices. Collectors can obtain special first-day-of-issue postmarks between now and March 20. To get one, purchase the stamps at a local post office, affix them to a self-addressed envelope and send that inside of a separate mailing envelope to: Dogs at Work Stamp, Postmaster, 8409 Lee Highway, Merrifield, VA 22116-9998. (Try to teach a cat to do that!)

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of the four Dogs at Work stamps has been sent with this column.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.