Soprano and Saran

What’s Wrong With Your Dog?

You’re cruising, windows cracked, belting out your best rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” when suddenly, your dog in the backseat decides to join in full-throated, ears back, yowling like a canine Freddie Mercury.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain dogs insist on performing a duet whenever music plays, you’re not alone. Scientists and dog lovers have puzzled over this musical mystery for decades. While no single explanation fits every dog, there are a few fascinating clues.

One theory is rooted deep in their ancestry. Long before they were sleeping on your couch, dogs were wolves, and wolves are born chorus singers. Howling is partly social glue. It’s a way to say, “I’m here, where are you?” or “This is our turf.” When your dog hears a sustained note whether it’s a flute solo, a power ballad, or a human voice cracking in the shower, it may sound eerily similar to another dog calling from afar. Instinct kicks in and suddenly it’s time to harmonize.

Breed matters, too. Huskies, Malamutes, Beagles, and hounds of all stripes seem especially prone to singing. These breeds were selected over centuries to vocalize, whether to coordinate hunts or simply communicate across long distances. Their musical enthusiasm is basically genetic.

Then there’s the social angle. Some dogs learn that howling when you sing gets a reaction: clapping, laughter, maybe even treats. To a dog, this is the equivalent of a standing ovation. So they keep doing it and perfecting their style.

A dog howling along to your favorite playlist is one of those simple joys that never gets old. When your furry lil best friend starts up their canine karaoke, go ahead and sing louder. You’re not just indulging their odd habit but also honoring thousands of years of pack harmony. Now, if only my family wouldn’t mind if I sing at the top of my lungs….

Instinct: Natural reaction
Sharp: I wouldn’t go on there either
Reality check: Going the extra mile

Culture

If you’ve ever unboxed a fragile delivery, you’ve probably taken a moment to savor the small, guilty pleasure of popping bubble wrap. That satisfying pop! is so universal that there’s an unofficial Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. But here’s what most people don’t know: bubble wrap started out as a decorating idea that went spectacularly sideways. We like sideways, so let’s dig in.

Back in 1957, engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes weren’t trying to invent packing material at all. They were working in a garage in New Jersey on a bold plan to make plastic wallpaper. They sealed two shower curtains together in a way that trapped pockets of air, imagining modern homes wrapped in a textured, futuristic look. Unfortunately, the prototype was less “avant-garde luxury” and more “accidentally inflated grocery bag.” Unsurprisingly, homeowners didn’t leap at the chance to cover their living rooms in puffy plastic sheets (how rude).

Undeterred, Fielding and Chavannes tried pivoting their product into greenhouse insulation. It makes sense since trapped air can help regulate temperature. But this, too, fizzled. For a couple of years, bubble wrap was the invention nobody wanted.

It wasn’t until IBM launched its first mass-produced computers that bubble wrap finally found its destiny. The machines were delicate, expensive, and needed something better than newspaper to survive shipping. Bubble wrap was perfect. Once IBM adopted it, everyone else did too.

Over time, the poppable plastic earned a kind of cultural fame. People started using it not just to protect their purchases but as a stress-relief toy, leading to everything from bubble wrap calendars to smartphone apps that simulate the popping experience.

Today, bubble wrap is manufactured by the mile, and it still hasn’t lost that magic combination of utility and fun. Next time you crack open a box, take a moment to appreciate that what’s keeping your stuff safe was once meant to make your walls look like an air mattress. I’m still trying to picture that futuristic look.

Is Last Year’s Sun Damage Showing Up As This Year’s Dark Spots?

You can’t go back in time and prevent sun damage from last year, but you can do something about it this year.

At Fido Fly, we 💕 shining a spotlight on the incredible bonds between our community members and their furry family members. This month, we’re thrilled to celebrate a truly remarkable duo whose story captures the heart, humor, and unwavering loyalty that make our community so special. Get ready to meet a canine companion who’s more than just a pet—he’s a best friend, a medical alert hero, and a sassy prince who proves that age is just a number. Read on to discover why this dynamic dog has stolen the show—and our hearts!

Chuckle

The fib is A. Catchy tunes with repetitive words (think pop choruses) activate your brain’s auditory cortex, creating “earworms.”

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