It's a test!

[no1dolo]

China, my dog lay in the window - all 80 plus pounds of her. I'd built the window shelf for my small dogs - a Yorkshire Terrier, Silky Terrier and Chihuahua mix, so you can imagine what that big dog looked like on the narrow shelf. She was long and lean and muscular and just plain beautiful (inside and out). She has a shiny tan coat with deep rich black nose and eyes (very Egyptian looking)and two white socks on her front paws. As I leaned over her, she looked up at me and kissed me. ....and I thought, "Why were you made so beautiful?" Then it came to me - it's a test!

That's what it is ...a test sent by the creator. How many of us are passing the test? Do we see the beauty in all of the animals on this earth? Do we give priority to their care - both physical and emotional? Do we even realize that they have emotional needs? Do we pause, think and listen for the messages that they bring us? They bring more than just unconditional love for us. Do we understand their worth and value to our existence? Man needs other animals as much as other animals need man. Do we realize that they have value in and of themselves, separate from thei relationship to us? ...and that their right to exist is valid, in and of itself, not requiring our permission. It's a test and whether or not we pass it tells so much about us. We can't take the test as a group. We can't pass on some other person's performance. We must each take the test and pass it by ourselves. Just like so many other parts of our lives, it's a test.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. I agree, and we are not alone. How about a picture of your angel?

Animals as Teachers and Healers by Susan Chernak Mcelroy
Author McElroy obviously loves and has a great deal of empathy for animals. Her premise here is that animals have a more significant role in our lives than is generally accepted. Exploring the psychological and spiritual bonds between various people and animals, she reads letters and talks of her own experiences. Examining the evolution of animals in our society, she indicates that we have lost much of our ability to truly appreciate our domestic animals and those in the wild. Much discussion is devoted to the terrible destruction?and the beginning of restoration?of the wolf. McElroy does not sugar-coat her message about our role, our relationships with, and our responsibility toward the animals in our care. To some listeners, this will be a little esoteric and lacking in solid fact for their liking. Those less concerned with scientific evidence will enjoy the stories and letters that she shares. Libraries serving large numbers of animal lovers and cancer patients (McElroy includes inspiring bits about her experience as a cancer survivor) should be interested.

Kindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans and Animals Can Change the Way we Live by Allen M. Dvm Ms Schoen
Invoking the "mystical, magical, or metaphysical" aspects of our relationships with animals, veterinarian Schoen (Love, Miracles and Animal Healing) recounts his dawning awareness of amazing acts of courage and compassion by animals toward both their human companions and one another. Early in his career, his golden retriever, Megan, came to act as his "ecumenical guide" and veterinary assistant, responding to the distress of an injured lamb, kitten or cow--or panicked human onlookers--with loving licks. In an engaging work that is part memoir, part argument for a more holistic approach to veterinary medicine, this "left-brained" man of science tells how he gradually learned to observe and respond to an animal's emotional state, as well as to the physical needs he was trained to focus on. Since then, with Megan's help, he has learned to care for animals on both levels, and has incorporated alternative medicine into his practice. While a growing number of books espouse our interrelationship with animals and attempt to change our attitude of superiority, this account is distinguished by Schoen's fresh voice and seamless writing. "As we learn more about our connections to animals, we will consider them our heart," Schoen believes. "More than anything else on this earth, animals have the facility to make sure we remain connected to our deepest feelings.... Always remember: Do unto all animals as you would do unto yourself."

Dogs Never Lie About Love : Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson was, oddly enough, pet-free when he decided to write about their key role in his life. Not to worry, though. In a trice he acquired a troika of pups (a purebred and two mongrels) and a couple of kittens. (The pussycats, alas, play only cameo roles.) In Dogs Never Lie About Love, Masson finds plenty of new things to say about canines--not that there hasn't been a plenitude of pupper reportage in the '90s. Or at least he easily articulates what some of us might already think: "Dogs feel more than I do (I am not prepared to speak for other people)," Masson asserts. "They feel more, and they feel more purely and more intensely." Often, however, he seems to be writing less about animals than humans: "In searching for why we are so inhibited compared with dogs, perhaps we can learn to be as direct, as honest, as straightforward, and especially as intense in our feelings as dogs are." But this book is not just a cozy mix of navel gazing (bestial and human) and long, leash-filled walks. Masson offers several proofs that dogs do take the high moral road--one police pooch, for instance, refused to acknowledge his handler's attack command. A good thing, too, since Masson himself would have been the victim! In more ways than one, Dogs Never Lie About Love is a Milk-Bone masterpiece

Masson also wrote "When Elephants Weep:The Emotional Lives of Animals"
Animals do in fact lead emotional lives, according to Masson. He has managed to find hundreds of anecdotes from the published works and field studies of such noted behaviorists as Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Cynthia Moss that support his theory. It seems that, despite the fact that anthropomorphism is among the worst of scientific taboos, these respected scientists cannot help but notice the similarities between human and animal behavior. Chapters are organized by topic, such as fear, love, grief, and even compassion and beauty. An index provides access by species and by personal name of both people and animals. An excellent resource in psychology, this title will also be a useful addition for animal research. Its clear and conversational style makes it interesting for general readers as well. A well-documented, compelling, and thought-provoking defense of animal emotions.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1053558/Its-just-humans-like-cuddle-Chimpanzees-comfort-victims-bullies-consoling-hug-scientists-reveal.html

It's not just humans who like a cuddle: Chimpanzees comfort victims of bullies with a consoling hug, scientists reveal
It's not just people who feel better after a cuddle.

Scientists have shown that chimpanzees comfort the victims of bullies with a consoling hug and a reassuring peck on the cheek.

It’s the latest study to highlight just how similar chimps and other great apes are to humans.

Dr Orlaith Fraser, of Liverpool John Moores University – who studied scrapping chimps at Chester Zoo - said the hugs, strokes and kisses helped lower stress levels.

Over 18 months, they witnessed more than 250 fights – usually over mates, food or seating arrangements.

“Usually within the first minute of the end of conflict, the consolation occurs,” she told the British Association Science Festival in Liverpool.

“You have a third party who approaches the victim and then wraps their arms around them, or might kiss them or come up to them and groom them.

”It seems this particular behaviour calms the victim down.”

Even groups of friendly chimps will squabble and bicker, just like families.

Even though most fights don’t end in injuries, the sight of an angry chimpanzee can be intimidating,

Their hand stands on end, they thump the ground, jump up and down and hoot and scream. Often they will punch or bite their rival, or chase them around the treetops.

In the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientists saw hugs and kisses after half the disputes.

Friends – chimps who often shared food or played together – were the most likely to offer support.

The researchers measured their stress levels by recording the amount of self-scratching and self-grooming, and comparing it to the normal levels of a happy chimp.

Consoling behaviour like this has been seen before in wild apes, - and in dogs and rooks.

But this is the first time scientists were able to show that the cuddles and hugs had a reassuring and calming effect on victims.

Dr Fraser believes the animals may be capable of empathy – the ability to put yourself in someone else’s place.

“We can't actually say what's going on in a chimpanzee's mind; we can only deduce from their behaviour what's going on," she said.

"Because this behaviour is actually reducing stress levels and it's being offered by a valuable partner, it seems likely that this is an expression of empathy."

Their behaviour mirrored seven year old children – who will put an arm around a friend’s shoulder if they have been bulled.

“This is something that is thought to be a unique trait to humans,” she said.

“So this is an important step towards understanding whether or not chimpanzees are capable of this level of empathy."

Although the study looked at chimps in captivity, similar behaviour has been seen in the wild, she added.

Chimps are human’s closest relatives in the wild. Like people they can use tools – using sticks to fish out termites, hunt in teams and plan ahead.

They are also one of the few animals that can recognise themselves in a mirror – and realise that they are looking at a reflection.

[IndyOp]

2. Thank you for your heartfelt post -

:hug:

[no1dolo]

3. It's what I believe even if it sounds crazy!

I would love to post pictures of my dogs but I haven't learned how to upload them to DU yet. China came to me as a rescue who I was looking for a new home to place her in (I had always been a "small dog person"). She was so fearful of people that she would not go for a walk if she saw someone standing way down the road. If anyone entered my house - she'd run to her "room" - a covered, open crate that only she was allow in to give her a feeling of refuge. I don't know what happened to her in her previous families but I made sure that I whispered in her ear everyday - "Don't believe what those other people told you, you are good, deserving and beautiful". She is a wonderful dog.

I know some people (such as my extended family) think I'm a little weird when it comes to animals but I believe they have souls and are spiritual beings. I feel sorry for people who cannot or will not see or understand this about animals. They are missing out on participating on a whole plane of life on this earth.

(I know - I sound nuts - so I'm told.)

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Then I, and most of the people that I call friends are also nuts....

[no1dolo]

5. Any others out there?

It's great to meet like minded - :fistbump:

[bluethruandthru]

6. If it's nuts to believe

that animals have feelings, emotions and souls...then I'm right there with ya!
I feel sorry for those who aren't as nuts as us! :)

[Shardik]

7. I'm a nut as well.

Covered in dog hair at the moment from playing with my "kids." Just adopted a black lab mix to be buds with my yellow.

I love them both like life.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. I'm nuts, too...

Just ask my cat friends.

[no1dolo]

9. You guys are wonderful - there are some lucky animals out there! n/t