Animal spirits

Malaysia
December 19, 2009 9:21am CST
I have come across animals, mainly dogs and each of these dogs seem to react differently to a similar situation. I have a female dog, called Shelley and when I offer her any form of food even fish or meat, she bites it gently without touching or hurting my fingers. Then she will place it down on the ground, look up at me with gratitude then she starts eating it. Other dogs I have come across are not the same. They grab the food, sometimes even biting the fingers and therefore the food provider has to be very careful when giving out food. My dog, Shelley hugs people she is fond of but keeps away from those she doesn't like. Most dogs I come across tend to be aggressive even towards those they are familiar with. To me, Shelley is almost human in her behaviour. She loves children and loves to hug them. My neighbours like Shelley and admire her for her very good behaviour. Have you got experiences with pets that you like to share?
4 responses
@kevinll (967)
• China
20 Dec 09
Dogs like a friend of ours, once i had a cute and lovely dog, my dog looks like understand your feeling, the dog always like to stay be with you. You bring your dog out, dog can feel very happy.
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
19 Dec 09
I think our pets have very distinct personalities, or spirits. Otherwise, how can two (or more) be raised and live in the same environment and be so different in personalities? I have two chihuahuas. One, Boomer, is very delicate in how he takes food from some one, in fact he's dainty in how he eats. But he's aggresive when he plays. My other chihuahua, Tukay, has to be reminded that fingers are not part of the food, but when she plays it's like she's afraid to hurt her toys. In fact, if something squeeks she thinks she's hurt it and stop playing with it. If most dog owners sat down and made a list of the words that their pets understood, I think they'd be very surprised. Again though, this sign of intelligence differs from pet to pet. My Tukay understands a pretty large vocabulary and I find that even if I'm not talking to her directly, she's paying attention to what I'm saying. I can be talking on the phone in another room, and if the word 'pizza' escapes my lips suddenly she'll be at my feet licking her chops. Boomer on the other hand doesn't know what a pizza is unless there is a box in my hands.
• Malaysia
20 Dec 09
Catdla, what a description!! It'shows the intelligence that animals have and that they cannot be underestimated. Thank you for you comments.
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
20 Dec 09
It is true that pets cannot be underestimated. What's saddest to me are those who underappreciate these wonderful creatures that add to much to our lives, and the millions of abused pets that suffer as a result.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
19 Dec 09
Hi shobhans,I guess animals are like people, all different. I believe it has to do with how they have been treated by people in the past. A pet that feels secure and know that it's loved can take on almost human traits. I've seen dogs who were very much like that and I once had a cat that would welcome everyone who came to the house. He would always remember them and some people said they were sure that he was trying to talk to them. Blessings.
• Malaysia
19 Dec 09
Thanks Pose 123 for your contribution. It helps me understand animals better.
@vijayanths (7877)
• India
19 Dec 09
Hi shobhan, dogs are intelligent and can love you like human. They are known for showing gratitude. So that is why you want to be born as a dog in the next birth?
• Malaysia
19 Dec 09
You got me correct there, Vijayanth. Thanks for your response.