do dogs feel love?

@djmarion (4898)
Philippines
May 22, 2007 1:19am CST
do you think dogs are also capable of loving?... for me yes,, i just read an article about it that goes like this... ---We feel tremendous love for our dogs, and our dogs sure seem to love us. But is a dog really capable of emotions? Or are we just projecting our feelings onto our dogs? Scientists avoid the subject because part of what sets humans apart from the animals is our ability to experience feelings. To say that animals actually have feelings, in the same way we do, would change everything – perhaps disrupt our entire position and standing in the animal kingdom. However, any dog owner knows that dogs love completely and have a greater capacity for love than most people. If one were to describe the main characteristics of a dog, they would have to be: 1. strong affection 2. warm attachment 3. unselfish loyalty and benevolent concern for others Dogs taken from abusive situations hold no grudges toward the human race. A half an ounce of kindness from a new person results in an abundance of affection from the formerly mistreated dog. Humans rarely have the capacity to so completely forgive and love under those circumstances. Probably the biggest reason the dog has become man’s best friend is because we know that when it comes to love, a dog can always outdo us. The highest form of love, agape love, which is completely unconditional, is something that people often have to work at or grow into. Agape love seems to come naturally between parent and child, but it’s more difficult between husband and wife, and harder still between friends. To love someone regardless of what wrongs they have done you is very difficult for humans. A dog, however, is born with an endless capacity for agape love, and doesn’t even have to work at it. You can be a complete grouch, ignore your dog, and refuse him your love. When you decide you’re ready to be sociable again, your dog doesn’t pay you back by ignoring you too. He’s just happy you’re there. More amazing still, is that the love that dogs and owners feel for each other lasts a lifetime. This is the ideal love humans strive for, but often fail at. But in a dog, love seems to grow with acquaintance, to get stronger, deeper. Even when fully acquainted with all our weaknesses, our treachery, our unkindness, the dog seems to love strongly – and this love is returned by most dog-loving humans. We, too, seem to love our dogs the more we get to know them. The bond grows between us and our dogs.” This is why we need dogs. They do something for us that rarely a human companion can do. No matter how much you mess up your life, or how much wrong you do, no matter how many mistakes you make or how often you make them, regardless of your looks, income or social standing, your dog never judges you. He always thinks you are wonderful and loves you with all his heart. --------------- you see guys, dogs also feel love, and infact they feel love better than what people feel towards them....so lets love our doggs.... :)
1 person likes this
3 responses
• United States
22 May 07
i agree with you. I know my dog with me is very affectionate (if i even spelled that right). And with other people he doesnt know he may walk up to them and see what they will do. And then once he gets warmed up to them he loves for them to give him attention.
@djmarion (4898)
• Philippines
22 May 07
you spell it right. :) dogs are really lovable and they know if the person holding them feels the same toward them.
• United States
23 May 07
I know thats why i love having dogs. I think i may spoil my dog a little too much though.
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
24 May 07
Dogs are very affectionate and they also give unconditional love. I love my dogs and they are treated as part of the family.
@djmarion (4898)
• Philippines
25 May 07
dogs are really worth the love, they feel if they can trust theperson and becomes aloof when not.
• India
22 May 07
Hi there. I have a Black Labrador and I believe he is a better human being than most humans. He is a docile, gentle and loving creature and doesn't harm anybody. He is very affectionate and is always there to greet you home with a smile ,yes smile, and a wag. He is very gentle with little kids and loves to play with them. Dogs give a new dimension to unconditional love as their love is truly unconditional. I agree with you that dogs have feelings and experience love too. And that was a wonderful article you posted . It was nice to read it. It makes perfect sense to me .Cheerio .
@djmarion (4898)
• Philippines
23 May 07
i believe so, dogs are more lovable than man.