Chances are if you're pointing towards food, your pooch will find it one way or another but have you ever stopped to notice if he follows your gestures in general? According to not one but two recent studies, dogs can comprehend pointing on the same level as a 2-year-old child and require nearly zero learning time to figure out how to follow direction.
The studies also watched dogs follow head-turning, gazing, and pointing using other body parts, and those smarty pups figured it out. The biggest problems for canines and two year olds came with tricky gestures where the protruding arm pointed in a different direction than the finger itself . . . but three year olds mastered all the tests. Even though I was quick to share this news with lilsugar, the scientist points out the need to not generalize:

Any behavioral similarity or similar performance between dogs and children should be investigated separately in each case. Just to give an example for a reverse case: nobody has tried to herd a flock of sheep with 2-year-old (human children).

Point taken, but I've still been testing North at home, and he will look around and seem to follow my cues most of the time — will yours?

• Francesca's first swim lesson — The Daily Wag
• This Pug sure can Moonwalk! — Snuzzy
• Cat pee plus laptop equals fire — Paw Nation
• Emmy walks with Cinnamon and Sugar — Celebrity Dog Watcher
• How to negotiate with your vet in five simple steps — Dolittler
• What is IMHA? — Dogster
• Peep these DIY cat shelves with cushions and sisal — moderncat
• Get in line — a doggie conga line! — Wag Reflex
• Snout soother keeps noses cool — Haute or Not?
• Awwwdorable, giant panda baby bathtime — People Pets

These baby Snow Leopards are two of a kind! New to the Toronto Zoo, these little guys can't get enough of each other's company and have been inseparable since they were born earlier this month. Playing in the grass is their main pastime, and zookeepers report that, as soon as it's time for meals and checkups, they cling to one another tightly — one doesn't want to be without the other! I know I can't tell these little ones apart, but can you tell the difference between a leopard, cheetah and a jaguar?

I worry about scratching posts that look too much like my bed — how will kitty know to scratch this and not my frame and carpet?! I know I'm not giving her enough credit, as carpeted wood scratchers are all the rage and some of the sturdiest, sleek designs around. Take this Wedge model we previewed at last Fall's SuperZoo, it blends right into the room and looks stylish to boot.

Two styles — a woodgrain laminate material with four carpet choices ($90) and then a new, fancier Walnut with pebble sisal model ($120) top my dream shopping list. But I can just see myself splurging on this for my best cat pal . . . only to have her turn her precious kitty nose up at it. Such is life.