Ask the average person to tell you whether a dog is happy or not, and they will advise you to look at its tail -- if the dog is happy, the tail is wagging. Yes. But this is only partly true. Some tail wags have totally different meanings. This can be especailly important in understanding canine body language.

- A rapid tail wag, where the tail swings from side-to-side in a not very large, but constant way, is actually a sign of excitement rather than pleasure.
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A whole nation looked on as a ragged group of Pit Bulls was rescued from Michael Vick’s southeastern Virginia “compound” last year.  The dogs had been mutilated, neglected, beaten and bloodied all at the hands of one of the gnarliest dog fighting rings ever broken up.

And a whole nation is looking on now as the little sweeties are rehabilitated, learning to love and indeed working towards becoming “man’s best friend.”

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