Yes, I remember that study. Very interesting I thought .

Wys
x

When I was studying animal behaviour last year, one of the lectures we had was all about emotions.

Apparently, there are 2 kinds of emotions - the basic and the higher. I can't quite recall which category various emotions go in, but it was a fascinating lecture by a researcher who was looking into the subject via study.

What was interesting was that it is now pretty much agreed (even by scientists! ) that animals are capable of the basic emotions.

However, there are also some scientists who are starting to believe that animals also share our most high emotions.
A name to check out is Marc (Mark?) Bekoff.

I do think dogs can love. I think dogs have a soul too.

Wys
x

Isn't that kind of love? I mean, how does one define love?

This has been interesting to read… I think love can be difficult to define, but I think Jake loves me

This is going to have me really thinking now…

So long as you think that, what else matters

As I've said before I do believe dogs live their lives on a different level to humans, but the behaviours they exhibit are all those which we would say are equal to love, so let us enjoy that love while we may.

Don't really know tbh but think that our perception of 'love' is something that a dog or other animal is not aware of. Safety, security, respect n trust for the ones that provide stability/nourishment(alpha's n such), nurturing of offspring within any environment, social structure is natural instinct(for some, i think). Hopefully folk will always help any misunderstood or abused to have more understanding and protection before all love is lost.

If it's not love, then it's such a good copy of it, I'm not going to quibble!

whatever my dogs give me is good enough for me.
What I do know is I love my dogs & that's good enough for me

I agree!

Wys
x

Well my x said he loved me
My dogs never say they love me
but I would say their actions say more than anything

Happy when I am there
Happy to see me smile
Never get tired of being with me
Always ready to spend time with me


just now Ben snuggled up right next to me on the sofa, looked me right in the eyes and gave a lovely happy sigh before closing his eyes and falling asleep

Who are we to say they do or dont love? You cant prove to me another person loves me, so you cant prove to me that a dog dosent

also I dont think it is a human emotion at all, it is an evolved emotion to bond us together so we can raise our offspring