Category Archives: Cats

The Origin of Domestic Dogs


Animal Genomics & The Origin of Domestic Dogs

This is a Youtube lecture by Dr. Mark Siegal from the New York University course Indian pariah dog. Might the ancient foundation stock of modern dog breeds be some similar wolf variety now extinct in the wild instead of what’s in Europe today?

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Mark Siegal
Nov 18 2014

Re: Dog evolution and atavistic reversion

The origin of modern dogs is still an area of active investigation. It used to be thought that dogs originated in east Asia, but then evidence suggested it was perhaps the Middle East. The latest, best data suggest Europe: http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/38279/title/Origin-of-Domestic-Dogs/

The most reliable indicator of ancestry will continue to be DNA (in combination with archaeology/fossil evidence). Visible traits are not as reliable because they are under selection and therefore do not necessarily align with ancestry.

Jersey City cat remembers past lives!

Meander - Jersey City cat for adoption
Meander was found weak and hungry, wandering the streets of Jersey City. The thought was that perhaps he was lost and so might be returned home. To determine where that was, we applied Age Regression Therapy. Unfortunately, Meander was too young then now to recall anything like clearly his original location.

When it seemed that the path back in time was blocked, an amazing breakthrough occurred: a veritable tsunami of memories of past lives. The feline consciousness flew to Warhol’s studio, from there to Hemingway’s house in Cuba, next Churchill’s study and then the Lincoln White House. As research continues, through Meander’s recollection, light — albeit a narrow beam — is shining on more and more distant events. We’ve just begun the documentation of his presence in Laketown at the time of the death of Smaug.

If you’d like to continue the saga by providing Meander’s future home (in this life), please do let us know. This remarkable and friendly kitty is seeking adoption by the right person.