Posted on 03/19/2013 4:05:39 PM PDT by Sir Napsalot
Mal, In Various States of Concern
People can reliably read a dog’s facial expressions, suggesting humans are finely tuned to detect emotions even in other creatures. Behavioral scientists have long known that people can accurately read other humans’ emotions, but this study suggests our empathy extends to other members of the animal kingdom.
While a Ph.D student at Walden University in Florida, Tina Bloom worked with Harris Friedman and a dog named Mal at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Mal, a 5-year-old Belgian shepherd and trained police dog, was subjected to a variety of stimuli, and the researchers took pictures of his reactions.
For instance, in one experiment the researchers praised him, trying to elicit a happy reaction; Mal looked at the camera with his ears erect and tongue lolling. Then they reprimanded him, and Mal’s ears flattened, he looked down and his eyes became mournful. They used a jack-in-the-box to surprise him; foul-tasting medicine to disgust him; nail trimmers to strike fear into his heart; and so on. One of the researchers even pretended to be a criminal, and Mal got angry. Then the team showed 50 volunteers photographs of these reactions, and asked them to categorize his emotions.....
(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...
I’m quite sure we’ll adopt another pup. It’s just a little too soon. Like people, they’re not replaceable. Each one is unique. In my experience, it takes some time before you’re ready to love another one.
All of them say “feed me” except the last that say chit - I don’t think this human is smart enough to feed me.
We do (I’ve owned dogs, too, and love ‘em).
With my cats, they tell me when they want something by being ever-present. That includes meowing and rubbing. If If I ignore them...they resort to the “stare-down and squint”. Then I run off the list of their needs...”Out? Drink? Dinner? Brush?”. Then an affirmative meow and tapdance when I hit the right one.
Then, after their needs are met, they disappear and completely ignore me.
LOL.
I hope this study was done with private money and not tax dollars. I knew this when I was 3 years old.
LOL!
Our experience was quite similar to yours. I’m glad that my friend is no longer suffering, but I miss him terribly. I look forward to seeing him again, someday.
My 89 year old grandmother says she would love to have another dog but doesn’t want to leave one behind.
>>> they disappear and completely ignore me.
Some of mine stick around me just for cheap heating source.
One of the all time best twilight zone episodes was “The Hunt”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ipDvK1BElU
![](http://i.imgur.com/RyKnmyx.jpg")
Niiiiiicceeee doggie.
/turn 180 and run as fast as I can before being tackled to the ground
that’s one happy dog...
He’s got a good life so he’s pretty much always happy.
My wife has taken it very hard. She wants to know if Oliver (our beagle) will be in Heaven waiting for her. I'd love to believe that. In fact, I do suspect it's true
"I think not"
Hehe!
been there, done that. Think my pal appreciated it, he seemed comforted
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.