Do Our Pets Really Love Us?

[Traci]

Interesting read...(sent by Davet)

http://www.petplace.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=3384

[Mary Plummer]

Thanks Traci and Davet! That was fascinating! I'm fairly certain I recognize the love our two have for us. I hope it's this kind: "What is far better is the love in which a dog has learned to trust and respect his owner without abject humility, fear or desperate need to be around all the time." It must be/have been, for you Davet, pretty obvious in vet practice to see what kind of bonds exist between pets and people; I bet it's fascinating to watch! One of our vets commented once about how Mr. Blue and I have the type of relationship they like to see, where he trusts me and feels better if I'm in the room talking to him when he gets a blood test or something. That makes me feel good. I figure they should know, and wouldn't say that unless they meant it.

[Traci]

Ohhhh, stories upon stories....it's easy to see the different relationships between pets and their humans, and of course, a treat when an owner is so devoted as to go the extra mile for their "child".

[Mary Plummer]

Oh, I bet the stpories range anywhere from beautiful to utterly horrifying! I guess that pretty much describes how people can act toward animals doesn't it? I am so lucky that we ended up with such wonderful pets! When we first brought Mr. Blue home, he was pretty scared and confused. I went home for lunch every day for the first month or so, just to get him used to the fact that we'd always come home for him. He's never developed/shown any separation anxiety, so I think starting him off on a really regular schedule helped a little. Of course, the other thing I often think is that he was just born "good" - stable and happy, overall. Carmel his feline sister adapted right away to life with us; I think she was just so happy to have a home again that she was fine, even with her new people.

[Amandasmom]

MP, you should read the book "The new work of dogs" by Jon Katz. It's about human dog relationships. It's really good and sad in parts.