Writes Professor Norrie Epstein:

Ellen and Ricky visited my class “Dogs and Their Humans”  on April 9th. Ellen explained the logistics of training and maintaining a service dog while Ricky demonstrated how he tends to Ellen: helping her take off her coat, picking up a quarter off the floor, bringing her food.

But more important, their teamwork and devotion to each other illustrate the deep nature of  the dog /human bond far better than any textbook. Ricky’s devotion to Ellen pervades everything  he does.

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Among Picassos and a clip from 1950’s Lassie and paintings by George Garrard and Gustave Courbet are drawings of dogs that never existed imagined by students in Professor Norrie Epstein’s Dogs and Their Humans freshman seminar.

We humans lead and follow dog companions. We return home to “a hound that lay there raised his head and pricked up his ears, Argos, the hound of Odysseus.“

Natalie Martinez appraises her “St. Pugard” as “loyal and affectionate,” “a great guard dog like a German Shepherd or a Giant Schnauzer.”

The Nox, writes Rio Castanenda-Gurtherau, means “night” in Latin.

Linda  Nyguen envisions her “Shigo” as “small” and “soft-looking.” Dogs like that, she writes, “are more approachable than big ones.”

The “Seco” belongs in the dessert, according to Joe Causey.

The American Bulle Dog, writes Damon Dye, is the dog for rock climbers and hikers.

“The new, life-changing breed, the ‘Dormer,'” writes Anna Reidister, “is a companion for anybody living in a small space (apartment, dorm, etc.) with a no-pet policy. The Dormer can easily be hidden inside a large cookie tin or laundry basket when your RD or landlord comes around. Affectionate, quiet, and hypoallergenic, this dog is the perfect inconspicuous fit into your life.

The Dormer is a combination of multiple breeds: the Russian Toy and Maltese for size; the Bichon Frise for size, hypoallergenics, and cuddliness; the Leonberger for body shape; the Plott hound for sweetness and resoluteness; the Whippet for intelligence and quietness; and finally the Golden Retriever and Border Collie for fur texture, length, and markings.  Note that the Dormer’s appearance is simply based on personal preference.”

The pointed ears of the “Boston Motherhound,” writes Chloe Dealmeida, prevent children from pulling  them. And the dog’s short tail keeps the dog from hitting small children.

Writes Jameson Bernard (’21) for Dogs and Their Humans:

My dog breed is called the Avion de Papier, French for “paper airplane”, because they are very light in weight and are good at weaving around obstacles, turning like a paper plane in the wind.

Characteristics:

Slower gait (shorter legs)
Liftable by myself (15-20 lbs)
Less activity needed, lower energy
Suited for a dorm or smaller apartment (smaller size)
Less of a chase and kill response (avoiding terrier similarities, not needed)
Less shedding (I often have either wet paint or projects on the floor)
Confident, friendly demeanor (helping me feel more capable walking out in public)

Greatest strength: weaving between obstacles (the various detritus I leave on my floor), requiring clear eyesight and a thinner build.

Avion de Papier are part of the hound class, with the general build and size of a dachshund. Their fur texture and coloring is like that of a Shih Tzu: creams and neutral greys. Their hair only falls out when brushed, making them hypoallergenic.

The Avion de Papier has the strong eyesight of a greyhound, with more frontal-facing socket placement. They look down longer snouts as well, making breathing issues uncommon.

Their general personality tends to be a mix between the dachshund’s more forward nature and the Cavalier King Charles spaniel’s low energy and friendliness, making them good therapy dogs that need less exercise.

Due to their size and general demeanor, the Avion de Papier is perfectly suited for my lazy dorm life, while still being properly trainable to avoid stepping on/bumping into my art projects, or anything else for that matter. I feel that their friendliness and courage would inspire me to feel more motivated when I’m in a rut.

Writes Laryssa Fliatov (’21):

My imaginary Dogs & Their Humans dog is a “Spanielton.” The dog has the head of an Irish water setter and the body of a Bedlington Terrier.

This dog is conveniently sized—not too big or small, easy indoors and outdoors, hypoallergenic due to a combination of hairs forming a natural water repellant  coat rather than fur. You groom this dog once or twice a year. The dog’s long face is good to get into corners to retrieve things, and the friendly personality that the dog inherits from both species make the Spanielton great with kids.

Writes Madeline Peck (’21) for Dogs and Their Humans:

My ideal dog…Big enough to help me, but not big enough to be noticeable. Strong teeth to hold bags if I drop them and can’t pick them up. Soft fur that doesn’t shed and doesn’t really grown that long naturally.

(See her image and statement together on a different background here.)

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Writes Professor Norrie Epstein:

Austin Jagodynski’s imaginary dog for Dogs and Their Humans, the “Medium Biscotti,” is based on the dog in Chekhov’s short story, “Kashtanka.”

The story begins thus:

A YOUNG dog, a reddish mongrel, between a dachshund and a “yard-dog,” very like a fox in face, was running up and down the pavement looking uneasily from side to side. From time to time she stopped and, whining and lifting first one chilled paw and then another, tried to make up her mind how it could have happened that she was lost.

Writes Sabrina Kane (’21):

The dog breed I designed for Dogs and The Humans  is called the “Teddy Bear Retriever” or lovingly nicknamed the “Jelly Bean Dog” because it’s shaped like a jelly bean.

The Jelly Bean Dog is mainly used for emotional support, and therapy. It resembles a Golden Retriever, but it has short legs, and a small, stocky body like a Corgi. Being part Golden Retriever, they are very happy, loving dogs that are great fit in families with kids.

They’re naturally happy around people, and can get very affectionate. Their small size makes it easy to take them places and also makes them perfect for kids because they’re kid sized!

The Teddy Bear Retriever is part Maltese Terrier so it has nice fluffy fur that doesn’t shed very much. The Maltese is also a playful and loving breed which contributes to their behavior. Overall the Teddy Bear Retriever is low maintenance, family friendly, loving, and the perfect emotional support companion.

Henry Hall & The BBC Dance Orchestra, “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”  (1932)

Writes Professor Norrie Epstein:

In Freshman Seminar “Dogs and the Their Humans,” students complete their work by inventing imaginary dogs combining elements of real ones. Alexi Delcid Rodriguez dreamed up this one,

Writes Professor Norrie Epstein:

Conor Burke dreamed up this new dog, the Nova Anglia Macula, in our Dogs and Their Humans freshman seminar. Great Name!