[sigill]

> But after decades of dogged effort, he and his fellow scientists are still arguing about the answers.

> Other canine genetics experts think that Larson’s barking up the wrong tree.

> Of all the problems that scientists struggle with, why has the origin of dogs been such a bitch to solve?

It seems like the author was in some sort of pun writing competition.

[kazinator]

If you own such an author, please keep him muzzled and leashed, and scoop up those puns.

I have a patch for the article:

  @@ -1234,5 +1234,7 @@
   Larson, who is fast-talking, eminently likable,
  +playful, loyal, up-to-date with all his shots,
  +certified free of fleas and ticks,
   and grounded in both archaeology and genetics,
  -has been gathering fossils and collaborators
  +has been retrieving fossils and collaborators
   in an attempt to yank the DNA out of as many dog
   and wolf fossils as he can.

[carlob]

You missed hounded

[mercer]

A bunch of my friends are journalist and they all constantly challenge each other to try and get particular words, sentences, or references published. While they might be an exception (they're all friends with each other), I wouldn't be surprised if this is very common. Their version of easter eggs, I suppose.

[golergka]

Also, doggy style.

[sigill]

Sorry, I haven't been dogmatic about listing all the puns.

Where is your dog now?

[kazinator]

My dogma was just run over by your karma.

[carlob]

I don't have a dog in this fight