We Love Astronaut Leland Melvin’s Official NASA Portrait

universetoday.com ^ | Nancy Atkinson

[BenLurkin]

Melvin appeared on the National Geographic Show “Dog Whisperer” and according to a blurb about the show Jake and Scout wandered into Leland’s yard one day. They were on the show to help with Jake, who is very protective of Leland and won’t let anyone approach him.

NASA astronaut Leland Melvin with his dogs Jake and Scout. Credit: NASA.

[BenLurkin]

I personally don't understand the appeal of stiff pawed, hyper-active canines slobbering all over you -- but this is for the many dog lovers out there.

[Cementjungle]

If he were about to go up into space in that suit they would have to spend hours with tweezers making sure to get every hair out of the seals to make sure it still works properly.

[cripplecreek]

My dog is limp pawed but I accept him anyway.

[eastforker]

If you have never truly bonded with a dog, you couldn’t possibly understand.Knowing that a dog has your back, 24/7 is something to experience, and all they want in return is your love.

[BenLurkin]

BTW who keeps the doggie ping list?

[BigEdLB]

Exactly...

[al baby]

That and heaping bowls of puppy chow

[M Kehoe]

Hi.

My Jake was a snot-slobberer. Beautiful English springer. Put food on the table.

5.56mm

[aomagrat]

Dogs are awesome!

[Impy]

Awwww.

[BenLurkin]

ping

[BenLurkin]

ping

[BenLurkin]

ping

[rdcbn]

I personally don't understand the appeal of stiff pawed, hyper-active canines slobbering all over you — but this is for the many dog lovers out there.

---

For those who don't understand, no explanation is possible. For those who do understand, no explanation is necessary.

[43north]

Without dogs life would be terribly boring.

[BenLurkin]

Indeed. I would have to take my morning walk without half a dozen of them yapping at me for no reason.

[Eaker]

I like my dogs a hell of a lot more than most, actually almost all people.

[BenLurkin]

People don’t shout at someone for no reason as you walk past their house. Dogs on the other hand....

[Da Coyote]

“I personally don’t understand the appeal of stiff pawed, hyper-active canines slobbering all over you — but this is for the many dog lovers out there.”

I felt pretty much the same.

Then I got my puppy.

[Eaker]

My dogs cause the riff raff walking past my house to keep going so a little barking doesn’t break my heart.

My dogs also don’t back stab me, don’t bitch at me or nag me unlike most people I know. My dogs just need food, loving and the occasional trip to the vet and give so much in return.

If you have never bonded with a dog I might as well be explaining fiduciary responsibility to a NBA player because you will never get it. Not that there is anything wrong with that but culturally I am not the one in this conversation with two heads.