Can dogs love?

@raineyes (554)
United States
August 22, 2009 12:59am CST
Today I moved to another state to attend college, and as my family and I were packing my things into our vehicle, my dog climbed into our vehicle, propped herself in a seat, and refused to budge. The night before she slept with me all night with her head on my chest, pawing at me and whining. It was heart-breaking. Some people say that dogs (and other animals) are incapable of love, because love is supposedly something humans feel because of our human intelligence. I say that this is false. What kind of emotionless, feelingless animal would act like that if she was incapable of love? So my question is this: do you believe your dog (or other pet) is capable of loving you? And what stories do you have that prove their devotion, loyalty, and love to you?
4 people like this
14 responses
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
23 Aug 09
oh dogs and other animals most certainly love. its probably breaking her little heart because she senses that your leaving and dont understand why or if your going to return. my dog loves everyone in our family and every since my sons gf (even tho i cant stand her personaly) has been packing to move out, shes been a bit upset. she knows.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
24 Aug 09
oh of course she'll still love you. and remember you. she'll greet you like no one else ever does thats whats so cool. about dogs. if you go out the door and stay 5 mins. they will greet you like you've been gone all day and do it all over each time.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
24 Aug 09
I know. It's sad the way we can't explain to them that we will be back and that we still love them. I probably broke her little heart, unfortunately. Hopefully she'll still love me when I come back. I'm glad you believe that animals are completely capable of love.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
24 Aug 09
That is the great thing about dogs. They will greet you like you've been gone for years every single time even if you just walked outside to check the mail!
• Japan
22 Aug 09
I think some dogs are capable of loving! My parents dog was vey loving. I went to visit with my two young sons, they were 5 and 3 at the time. I was worried because the dog was old, about 10 and hadn't been with young children before. We stayed at my parents house for a month and the dog was so gentle with the boys. I watched them all the time, trying to teach my kids how to treat a dog and making sure the dog didn't get mad. The day we left the dog followed my boys never leaving them to even eat!! When we got home I called my Mom and she said that the dog was pinning for the boys, that all he did was go to the places where the boys had slept and played looking for them. When we visited again a few years later the dog remember my boys and although he was very old he tried so hard to please them. That was the last time that we saw him, he passed away just before his 20th birthday, a real granddad of a dog!!!
• Japan
23 Aug 09
Somehow I got talked into getting not one but two dogs!!! Unfortually we live in Japan, in a rented house which doesn't allow us to have the dogs in the house. So the dogs are in the yard but that is where the kids spend most of their time anyway. My 2nd son loves dogs and seems to be able to pick up dogs that have run away!!! The other night our neighbours dog that scares me got stuck and was choking. My son went and managed to rescuce the dog, the owners we very grateful and gave us some lovely cakes!!!!
@raineyes (554)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Wow, what a great dog. And his age proves that they can live to a rip old age if taken care of properly. I'm glad you taught your children how to treat animals properly. Hopefully your children will continue to be animal lovers and if they ever have pets of their own will treat them with the same kindness that you taught them to use.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
23 Aug 09
Dogs are tough. They can live outdoors as long as you take care of them properly and care for them. It's great that your kids love your dogs, and that you care for them. Your son seems to have a real knack and love for animals.
• Canada
23 Aug 09
iF U BELEIVE THAT DOGS DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO LOVE, then u should be around my house when I get ready to leave to start my day. My 2 brats what to be with me all day long. When I go outside they want to be with me to train them or not, they just want to be with me or my wife. These lil farts want to be in our conversations, around us in the kitchen when we cook. They have to keep one eye on one of us to make sure that they don't miss out on 1 part of our day even if it's to hang something on the line. iF THAT ISN'T LUV, MY WIFE DOESN'T WANT TO BE AROUND ME THAT MUCH...U CAN'T EVEN WATCH TV WITHOUT THEM... REMEMBER ALWAYS LUV/CARE FOR YOUR DOG/ PETS, THEY WILL ALWAYS LUV U...
@raineyes (554)
• United States
23 Aug 09
My dogs are that way too! Constantly under our feet, they just want to be near us, no matter what we're doing or where we're going. Of course, always love your dog/pets, because even if everyone else turns on you, they'll still be there, loving you as much as ever no matter what you do.
• Philippines
23 Aug 09
We have a dog, and my father loved her so much. My father passe away three weeks ago. When the hospital people took my father's body , our dog was just shaking at a corner of our house. The next day we found our dog, sitting but with very wet eyes. She refused to eat for almost four days and was not the usual dog we know. She was very silent. I don't really know a lot of things about dogs, but it made me conclude that dogs are very sensitive and they are capable of loving.
@shibham (16977)
• India
13 Mar 11
Hi.... Its two years already over and dont know what is the situation is now there? But i have cat and she always shows her love towards me and i easily can understand. Have a nice day.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
14 Mar 11
It's much the same. I'm glad your cat loves you. :) You too.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Aug 09
I most certainly think dogs can love! My little sister was going through issues and had been put in a hospital for a couple of weeks. And at one point my Mom was packing her things away: clothes, pillow, blankets. Things that were obviously hers. And my Mom was packing up our car that was in the garage and our dog Shadow, who never ever goes out into the garage, quietly walked out and when my Mom walked away from a second, he climbed in and lied down with all of her stuff. Almost as if to say 'Well if this is going to her, I'm going too.' It was so heartbreaking. We took him out of the car and told him we couldn't take him with and he just gave us this really confused look. If dogs couldn't love then he would never have climbed into the car wanting to see her because he missed her.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
24 Aug 09
Awwwh, that's so sad. That's kind of what happened to my dog with the way she was acting when I left, getting into my car and refusing to leave. Hopefully your sister gets well soon and can comfort your dog Shadow. Thanks for sharing your story. =]
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
23 Aug 09
Yes dogs love unconditionally with all their heart and being. They will lay down their life for their master. They will fight to protect you and die willingly to protect you. I have been around dogs and cats too all my life. Animals do love, they have emotions just like we do. they can be sad, lonely, happy, excited etc. Your dog knew you were leaving, somehow he knew it and made the most of his last night with you. when you come home for a visit you will get a greeting like no other greeting. But at the same time your dog might be angry with you for leaving.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
23 Aug 09
I'm glad to hear that so many people agree with me, and say that dogs (and other animals as well) are fully capable of being emotional and of loving another person or creature. I look forward to that greeting from my dog. I miss her already. And I'm sure she misses me too.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Aug 09
hi raineyes hatley here oh yes dogs can and do love as my dog'loved me and when I was sick he would come and curl up beside me and lick' my hand. then when my husband had to have a colostomy and was in bed'for awhile our dog was desolate while my hubbie was in the hospital and when my hubbie came home my dog follwed him everywhere'wouldnt pay a bit of attention to me as he knew my'husband was still upset over the surgery.when my husband laid down for a nap my dog was right there curled up against him.It was as if he thought'that if he was with my hubbie all the time he would get well faster and it seemed to work.then my dog came back to being mydog again.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Hi Hatley! Thanks for the response. Your dog sounds like a very loving creature, as are most dogs, and I'm sure you are very grateful to have a dog like that and love him very much. Maybe your dog was also worried about your husband after his surgery because your dog could tell that you were worried, and as a dog, that was probably the only thing that he could understand to do! Ha, but that just proves to me that dogs are completely and fully capable of love.
• India
22 Aug 09
A dog is supposed to be the most faithful animal. Everyone may desert you and look down upon you if you make a mistake, but your dog will ever remain faithful to you no matter what you do. Even if you try to chase it away or give it away to some one else, it will still find its way back to you. Dogs have a great sense of intuition and can sense when someone is going away. They get restless and uneasy. Is it a sixth sense? I wonder. Love? I wonder.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
22 Aug 09
In all of my experiences with my dogs, I would second that opinion. Dogs would live on loyalty if they could breathe it or eat it, and it's true that no matter what you do to a dog - abandon it, yell at it, give it away, even abuse it - that they will always continue to try to please you. I think it's a bit of both, love and a sixth sense.
@srganesh (6340)
• India
22 Aug 09
Dogs are attached to humans for more years even when he was hunting in the forest for food.So,the relation between man and dog can be understood easily.And dogs have some extra sensational powers and they could understand our depart and arrival earlier.So,it is no wonder,your dog laid close to you the night before and wanted to travel with you the next morning.About my experience,I didn't own any dog but we had a common dog in our small street in my school days.I can remember how he played with us and remembered us.Cheers!
@raineyes (554)
• United States
22 Aug 09
You're very correct. Their attachment goes so far back that it's no wonder that dogs can read humans very well. I'm glad you have fond memories of that dog, and if you ever do get a pet, I would recommend getting a good ol' trustworthy, loyal dog. They're great pets.
@tintukm (1102)
• India
22 Aug 09
Every living creature has love to show in its own ways.Dogs are best loving animals I would say.I own a Labrador for almost 2 years.She is a good loving dog i must say. When ever i go out of our home compound she makes sounds of cries and tries to bite off the cage to open it.When I come back too her facial expression delivers her love in more pleasing manner.Dogs love their masters as anyone else does.My Labrador,i.e Snowy comes close to me and sits when i would be sitting quietly,and at many instances when i am out of company.Isn't this love?
@raineyes (554)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Exactly. I think it's love. Your dog Snowy sounds like a very good pet, and I'm sure you love her very much in return.
• China
22 Aug 09
The problem is if we can call that emotion love. I have a dog when I was a little boy. Because it bit a classmate,my father sold it in the market. but the next night,it came back.the market is very 7 miles far away from my home. it pawed at the gate and when I opened,it was very excited and barked... I will make a blog for the dog in the future and now I have made three. http://ebooks300.com http://enjoybeautypictures.com ...
@raineyes (554)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Love to me, though, is that unconditional loyalty and devotion and admiration no matter what wrongs you do to her/him/it, and dogs seem to embody that to me. I personally believe they are fully capable of love.
• Indonesia
22 Aug 09
well myabe it is not love but let say it is an bond of instinct, once dog renown you as its owner, no matter what you do they will always try to stay near to you, when you give them love they will pay you with love and loyalty, but if you treat them with anger they will give you loyalty but no love. Well it only based in my own opinion though
@raineyes (554)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Of course it's based in your opinion - that is what I'm asking for. =) You maybe right, but saying it's a bond of instinct or love might just be arguing the terminology rather than what's actually there. I understand your explanation, however, of mistreatment and good treatment and the way it affects the dog.
• Canada
22 Aug 09
I don't think at all that dogs are incapable of love. Dogs show us everyday that they love us, simply by going up and giving you a kiss, going to greet you when you come home,always wanting to be around you and following you, and it doesn't matter if your only gone for five minutes they are always happy when you come back to them. Also say you had an intruder, I know my dog he would defend us. Know does that not say that they love us? They would go in harms way just to protect their owner. My dog armani, she will get sad when I go away and just moze around the house, and it's almost like she is depressed until I get home again. When I'm home boss and armani will follow my every move around the house, and always trying to give me kisses. I do believe that dog's are man's best friend. They are always there for you.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I am of much the same opinion. My dogs are the exact same way. Sometimes when someone else in the house leaves and comes back, the dogs act all excited to see me as well, just as if I left, or as if I should be celebrating the return of whomever with them too. My dogs are like my shadow. I get kisses and hugs and cuddles, and I get loyalty and affection, protection and love. And I get a best friend who will never desert me.