Brandy and Val

Over the past several months, I’ve heard that bed bugs are, unfortunately, making a comeback in the United States.  Not only are they making their way into hotels, but they are infiltrating apartment buildings and private homes.  However, I am not writing about bedbugs.  You can Google galore about the subject!  I am here to recognize, once again, how our incredible canine friends are front and center in becoming invaluable working animals!  The are becoming the primary line of defense  in the fight to sniff those buggers out.   Two recent articles in the        NEW YORK TIMES centered around the role of the pups.  What’s interesting is that it doesn’t seem to matter what kind of breed is used as long as they pass their hunting/sniffing training.  In the articles mentioned, a beagle, basenji and a puggle were used but, not surprisingly, another company has trained mutts with success.   Dogs in search of bed bugs not only find them faster than humans but can do so with a accuracy rate of over 95%.  Once again, we humans are humbled by the power of man’s best friend.