that Mawson Lakes forgot

nearby and plenty of parking and it’s not far for most of us to travel to work.”

Other businesses in the 200m long street include Break Away Concrete Cutting, TRAMS sheetmetal installations and a storage depot.

Steve from Steve Tehan’s Auto Repairs started his business in 1986 and remembers when the area was sheep paddocks and the peppercorn trees, that now form a glorious residential avenue at The Peppercorns, were planted to break the wind and stop the dust swirling around.

He is not happy with the condition of the street and says that landowners have been battling council and the land developers for years to get the street upgraded, but to no avail. “They tried to hide us by planting trees to separate Dan Street from Mawson Lakes Boulevard. It worked; nobody knows we are here.”

“We would like to occupy a tidy street in keeping with the rest of ML,” he said. Ed.

Type

Ah, the fascination of a dirty old lamp post. There is just so much information around the base. Unfortunately, our owners have a temptation to pull us away from these delectable stopping points.

Alexander Horowitz, author of “Inside A Dog”, says that dogs smell different layers. He likens it to a human who enjoys a painting across a room but as he gets closer he appreciates the art in different ways as he sees the brush strokes and the textures.

This explains why a dog will sniff the air. It is truly reading the wind, then, as it gets closer to the source of the smell, it can determine so much more – who has come by, how long ago, was it male or female, what have they eaten lately.

There really is no way for a human to experience the joy of the nose in the same way a dog does. That’s because humans don’t have our sense of smell which is a thousand times more sensitive. Humans miss a lot of information because their nasal capacity is very limited compared to our nasal system which is far more complex.

A study of the fluid dynamics of the dog’s sniff shows that dogs inhale air from two distinct regions, allowing the dog to decipher the direction of a scent. The sniff also funnels stale air out through the side of the nostrils, an action that pulls new air into the nose. Once inside the nose, the air swirls around 300 million olfactory receptors. Compare this to your owner’s measly 6 million. Even if humans could gather this information, their brains would have trouble processing it. You see, the dog’s olfactory cortex that processes scent information takes up 12 per cent of the dog’s total brain mass, whereas, the human brain accounts for less than one per cent.

That’s why a stop at a lamp post is a intellectual treat for a dog. Please don’t pull us away too soon before we read the whole story.

Dog-friendly holidays

by Nigella

Took a short break during the holidays with my neighbours Jim and Julie Cunningham and their dog Muffin (pictured) to the Barossa Valley while my owners were away. We stayed at a divine place called Barossa Views Bed and Breakfast. The pretty garden was fenced so we felt safe. Jim fired up the BBQ for fresh eggs and bacon from the farm. Best of all we were allowed indoors - very comfy. Would you believe there was even a little packet of treats for Muffin and me left by the owner. We went on beautiful walks including a walk to the grower’s market on Saturday morning.

It’s not easy to find dog-friendly accommodation so this place is a treasure.

Protein, zinc, copper, omega-6 and omega-3 are essential to build healthyskin and coat, the visible sign of a healthy nutritious diet.

Pet care with Dr Brendan

Dr Bendan Maguire, the vet at Mawson Lakes, is a regular contributor on pet health and care. His advice this month is about raising well-behaved dogs and where to get help if you need it.

Polite Pets

Next month (March) marks the first ever Polite Pets Month. This is an initiative from the Australian Veterinary Association to raise awareness about the importance of dog training, puppy socialization and dog bite prevention.

Starting socialisation early (within the limits of a safe vaccination program) is vitally important in the development of a normal, calm attitude to the complexities of a pet’s life. Puppy preschool is a good way to introduce young pups to their peers in a safe, non-threatening environment and teaching them that dogs (and humans) come in all shapes, sizes, colours and attitudes! Ongoing training through dog school will reinforce these early learned lessons, and help a dog bond with their owner through training and mutual fun.

Keeping your dog exercised (both mentally and physically) reduces the chance of boredom when left alone, and, of course, a well-socialised dog can enjoy the company of friends all the better at the local dog park. Sometimes, however, things can go wrong,

Dogs of Mawson Lakes

in spite of an owner’s best intentions.

Understanding the difference between a “problem behaviour” (normal behaviour abnormally expressed, for example, excessive barking) and a “behaviour problem” (for example self trauma or other behaviour not normally seen) will help decide what route to take. Seeking veterinary advice will help eliminate any possible underlying medical issue, and will help you select the best next step to get a delinquent pet back on the rails.

Go to www.ava.com.au/polite-pets-month to find out more.

Check out www.gooddogSA.com for some great information.

See you next month!

A new roundabout at the intersection of Mawson Lakes Boulevard and Parkway will aid the flow of traffic near Technology Park and the entrance to the University.

During busy times in the mornings and afternoons this intersection is a danger spot as cars try to dash out of side streets and cross several lanes of traffic to enter the main flow. Poor visibility due to tall bushes and trees in the centre section of the road adds to the hazard, while traffic build-up creates pressure on drivers to make the dash. The roundabout should be finished in April. Ed.

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