Dogs can tune out noise, just like people at cocktail parties
Published 2 May 2019, 16:56 BST
"He's a rascal who is too smart for his own good and knows it," says owner Adrian Coakley, multimedia producer for digital. "He] thinks he can coast by on his cute looks. But he's hilarious, so it's OK."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"Tootsie loves to play rough with her brother, who still outweighs her by 50-plus pounds," says Lauren Corron, lead Drupal engineer for digital. "She loves Tater so much that anything he is sleeping on or chewing on, she has to curl up next to him or chew on it too."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"I was sent on assignment to a free-range cat shelter," says Amber Gochoel, senior producer for social. "I found Cannoli and ended up using him in the video I was making. After leaving, I realized that I needed Cannoli in my life and called them the next day to make sure he was still available."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"Melo has an obsession with socks!" says Brenda Billoch, production assistant for National Geographic Channel. "He is the type of dog that will follow you around everywhere and never leave you alone. He doesn’t seem to get full at all, he can eat all day."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"Jasper and Aldo have been best friends since birth. They are very close and often sleep together and groom each other," say Christine Dell'Amore and Brian Howard, editors for digital news. "They love playing in water and aren't afraid of it. On the pesky side they get into everything and have been pulling up our old hardwood floor splinter by splinter."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"Birdie loves fruits and veggies. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberry tops are some of her favorite treats," says Sarah McNay, production manager for digital. "Everyone over 50 tells me that Birdie looks like Petey from The Little Rascals."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"Winky lost both her eyes to an infection when she was living in the shelter, but she navigates our two-story townhouse easily and can always find the best snuggle spot," says Allyson Shaw, associate editor and producer for National Geographic Kids. "Sometimes she meows sadly, pretending to be lost, when really she just wants someone to come scoop her up and carry her to bed."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"We let them free range and they share the house with an old basset hound named Molly," says Kurt Massé, who handles rights clearance for National Geographic Creative. "And the reason for getting them is just because they are so damn cute."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"Daisy oddly enjoys belly rubs, prefers to sleep on her back with her paws above her head, and is attracted to loud heavy metal music. She's incredibly unathletic for a former stray," says Hannah Sedgwick, a coordinator for the Travel and Licensing department. "Daisy's most daring moments include getting herself sealed in our apartment wall and skydiving off our third-floor fire escape into the neighbor's yard."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"Chewbacca speaks to squirrels and monkeys," says George Stone, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveller (US). "Chewie is also a world traveler; he has spent half his life in Singapore, and has also visited Germany, Japan, California, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and his home, D.C. Chewie has not traveled intergalactically ... yet."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"One day, [my partner] Kellie picked him up and exclaimed 'Kocoum,' and he didn’t seem grumpy about it, so the name stuck," says Dominique Hildebrand, associate photo editor for digital. "He is extremely picky when it comes to food and very clearly favours organic options. His favorite treats are strawberries, romaine, and dandelions (and the occasional banana)."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"He loves giving hugs and standing between your legs. He'll do anything to swim, including side-paddling in a kiddie pool, which makes him spin in tiny circles," says Allison Bradshaw, finance manager for licensing. "He's a professional mulch maker—he chews up sticks and branches into mulch."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"We're just getting to know her and waiting for her quirkiness and preferences to reveal themselves," says Alice Keating, senior vice president for photo business strategy. "So far, she loves tummy scratches and chewing on anything she can find. She is the world's fiercest face-licker."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"Her ears are probably her most distinctive feature, and she can also leap up off all fours to greet you nose-to-nose," says Rosemary Wardley, graphics editor for National Geographic magazine. "We adopted her at eight weeks old from the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington D.C."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"Hazel is always smiling, always happy, and brings joy to all she meets," says Hillary Ossip, director of social strategy for National Geographic Channel. "Hazel loves cuddling with Pistachio ('Tash') while Tash grooms her. Long story short, I’m the third wheel."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"She's mellow for a breed known for its high energy, [but] give her tall grass and something to chase and she lives up to her breed’s name," says Sadie Quarrier, senior photo editor for National Geographic magazine. "She got blinded in her left eye at a young age. [She] is sweet, sensitive, and my devoted pal."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"Beast and I have a complicated relationship. When nobody is around, he loves me, but if my mom or boyfriend are near he'll choose them over me," says Jessica Elfadl, camera and equipment coordinator at National Geographic Society. "Luke has uncontrollable hunger and loves getting petted. He is very vocal about his wants."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"Guinevere is a excellent cat ambassador. Her talent is winning over people who say they do not like cats or pets," says Ariel Deiaco-Lohr, senior director of international media. "She has a very grumpy face, but is really just a friendly goofball."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"We gave her pizza once as a puppy, and she decided then and there that is her special food for the rest of her life," says Natalie Garagiola, consumer marketing coordinator. "She is also really bad at catching stuff out of the air. We’re talking make a leap for the toy a good five seconds after it’s passed her."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"She loves to play fetch, like a dog," says Ashley Kalena, manager of YouTube strategy. "She doesn’t just lay down—she plops down, like she’s had a hard day being a cat and needs to take the load off her feet (when really, she’s been spending her day sleeping)."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"Avner is loving, affectionate, curious, silly, and oh-so charming," says Karen Bovie, photo editor for National Geographic Channel. "He sneezes when he’s excited and purrs like a cat when he’s happy. Avner is a daydreamer at heart and always up for adventure."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"Having a rabbit is the best," says Abigail Marshall, senior administrative assistant at National Geographic Society. "I didn't know how affectionate they could be, but he'll often follow me around and tangle himself in my legs just to get some attention."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"Leo and Louie are brothers. They are very chatty, best friends, and will sit for treats!" says Veronica Kresse, scheduling specialist with National Geographic magazine. While Louie has boundless energy and cuddles up to anyone who gives him attention, Leo prefers to keep to himself and sit on anything warm (like the cable box, Playstation, or in a sunny window)."
Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic"She was rescued from a puppy mill," says Timo Gorner, senior director of human resources. "Despite that background, she is deeply trusting and also pretty skilled at manipulating me into getting her way. She is not very motivated by food—she'd prefer a belly rub over a treat any time."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic"They originally named her Stuffing since she's overweight and was born on Thanksgiving," says Hilary Andrews, associate photo editor for National Geographic Kids. "She’s very dog-like and can sit and play dead. She may or may not have a double life as a glamorous spy."
Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic