MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Dogs Drool So Much

We love our fur-babies. Even when they race through the house soaking wet after a bath…when they steal your spot on the couch…and, yes, even when they drool, we love them. About that drool, though. It can be a lot. All dogs do it, but some breeds can fill up an entire swimming pool with their slobber. Heck, whole movies have been made on the hazards of doggie drool (think: Turner & Hooch, Beethoven, etc.). So why do they do it?

In most cases, all that visible drool is harmless. Messy, but harmless. Just like us humans, dogs emit saliva in order to aid their digestive process. Saliva moistens food (which could be the reason why you pup wolfs down entire chunks of their dry dog food like a Hoover vacuum). Saliva also helps clear their mouth of bacteria, which is good for their oral health. When a dog visibly drools, it’s most likely because they’re excitedly anticipating their next meal. (Yes, I know…it’s like they’re almost always anticipating their next meal.)

But if your dog is overly slobbery, it’s could be symptomatic of an underlying problem like an upset stomach, having eaten some inedible non-food item, or, worst-case, a tumor. You should definitely take your dog to the vet if they begin excessively drooling all of the sudden, or if you notice blood in their saliva.

Certain breeds, like Basset Hounds, St. Bernards, or (my favorite) Mastiffs, are all well-known for their slobbering prowess, but not necessarily because they produce more of it. Actually, breeds with certain mouth structures or uneven lips can just have difficulty containing their drool, which leads to leakage.

Nobody likes dog drool, but it helps if you just consider it a visible sign of just how much they love & trust you. A damp, slick, messy sign…but a sign nonetheless.

And, if you’ve got a Mundane Mystery you’d like to know about, send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Jealousy Vs. Envy

They can be two of the most confusing definitions to understand, much less explain: what exactly is the difference between jealousy & envy?

Basically, we usually use “jealousy” to describe the feeling of worry we get when it seems someone’s coming for what’s ours. “Envy”, on the other hand, is the opposite. It’s when YOU want something that belongs to someone else.

However, the big picture isn’t quite that simple. For one thing, jealousy can also be a synonym for envy. If your neighbor owns an extremely valuable lawn mower, and you really love lawn mowers (or the money they’re worth), you could say you’re envious of your neighbor…or, you could say you’re jealous.

Moreover, jealousy is often accompanied by envy. Basically, you get so envious that you ultimately become jealous. For instance: let’s say your recently engaged best friend asks you to be his best man. Over the course of all the wedding prep, it begins to dawn on you that your best friend is favoring one of his other groomsmen (who just so happens to be incredibly handsome, wealthy, caring…basically the perfect new best friend to replace you. So, you start to feel jealous. The reason for that jealousy, though, is because you envy this other guy’s attributes & abilities, along with the attention he’s getting from your best friend.

On the whole, jealousy is most freely associated with territoriality, rivalry, and/or betrayal than envy is. But, if you were unpack things a bit more, you’ll probably find envy right there, too. So, it’s easy to see why the two terms are used interchangeably. The best hope you can have is to try not to have either.

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning