Holistic Pet Care

Hi Mitch:

I would like to respond to this if you don't mind. Although I don't have dogs and the major part of my life has been spent with cats, I do think I have a pretty good understanding of animals. That sounded much more vain then I meant it to be but I can't think of a nicer way to put it. I feel I have a feel for animals. I guess that says it.

I am thinking that maybe Cesare has this right about animals in particular dogs, not showing gratitude. I have heard in the passed that cats are not supposed to have memories and that statement has always puzzled me.

I have given it a lot of thought and wonder if it could be that they go with the feeling they are experiencing immediately, in the now. In other words, maybe they don't recognize that you saved them. What they do recognize is that after hurting for so long from being abused and/or abandoned, finally there is this presence or sound or scent which is there and when that presence is there they don't feel the pain they felt before. They only have nice and loving feelings when that presence is there. Could it be they are reacting to the sights and smells and touches they are feeling now and it is such a difference from what they had before that they want to savour it and make it last as long as possible. We interpret their reaction as being grateful because we know we rescued them. We know when we are grateful to someone we are loving towards that person but that is a human characteristic. Perhaps they just recognize they are happy.

Just a thought. It is a very complex subject and I still don't know what the answer is but its a great topic to discuss.

Wendy

--- In HolisticPet@yahoogroups.com, "Mitch Kirby" <gmax@...> wrote:
>
> Hey all,
>
> And Katt if you are out there I'd love to get your insight and opinion of this:
>
> I while back I was watching the Dog Whisper (mine and Connors favorite show!) and Ceasar Milan came out with a statement that startled me. He stated that dogs aren't grateful to you for rescuing them, he said they are incapable of this. Dogs live for the day, they don't remember the past or spend time dwelling on the future only us humans do.
>
> When I look at my two lastest rescues Silly old Sam who came to me in deplorable shape a year ago today in fact, his former owner wanted him put down the vet refused and called me and asked if I knew of anyone who would want a 13 yr old Golden with bad hips and teeth? No was my reply but after some long thought I knew in my heart this poor old soul may never find a place to live out what he has left in dignity. I called back the next day and offered to take Sam, it's been a year now and I don't regret that decision for one instant. Good food, bones and a few good supps have turned this graceful old guy around, Sam practically drags me out the door for his nightly walk, he so loves going to the park!
>
> My latest rescue Dylan (former Buddy), I hated that name. I found him on Christmas Eve, apparently he'd been outside with no food or water for 3 days – remember I live in Canada our temps back then were around minus 25, he had frostbitten ears and his paws were raw from him licking them trying to stay warm – I spend the next few days thawing him out and working on his other woes.
>
> Dylan has been with us now for close to 4 months and he's a complete gem – very well mannered, a perfect fit with my gang.
>
> What I'm getting at here is to both Dylan and Sam I'm like their best bud ever as they both have to be with me all they can, same room, never straying from from my side at the park, Sam actually gets fearful if he can't see me, so I try not to be out of his sight for long. – Is this not a show of gratitude?
>
> Okay granted my Sparkman now at 10 yrs of age has forgotten his past and figures he has now got a tough life and I don't ever possibly enough for him as pretty much do Mags and Dakota – to me this shows that dogs are capable of memories as these shows of emotion fade as time wears on and they become accustomed to their new lives – just as our memories fade as time goes on.
>
> Any thoughts out there?
>
> Mitch
> Co-Moderator, HolisticPet
> Sparkman (Prince Wigglebutt) Dakota ( Happiness is Koda), Miss Maggie (Mayhem), Connors (Do I have to sit still?), Lil Max (Hey, I'm not a Golden???) Silly Old Sam (Wait for me) and Dylan (I'm home!)
>

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