Is a smile a human thing only humans can do?

[PsychoSarah]

I can extend it further than just dogs: my bearded dragons also smile if they are happy or content, and they even have a "laugh face", as they can't make the sound, but they are very amused by seeing me put a coat on.

Example of happy smile, note that the eyes are shut, indicating trust and not aggression http://the-dro.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_20111127_203909.jpg

Displeased, mouth shut, exaggerated frown https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/5d/c3/03/5dc3034843bc0862c4b96f37c7b38c7e.jpg

(Might have to copy and paste that link).

Neutral expression, and being a good sport about wearing a hat http://www.theonlinecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/howdy-maam.jpg

Angry, beard inflated and black, mouth open http://wallythewalrus.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/dscn1580.JPG

 

[Hetta]

Beautiful creatures. Is that you in the first photo? You're almost as pretty as the lizards.

 

[Locutus]

I find these infinitely more touching than the human reactions to soldiers coming home.

Absolutely. The number of 'dog rescue' vids on YT suggests that we connect with dogs in ways we don't with any other animal, and I imagine it's for the same reason that dog & soldier vids get us so misty (though no clue why soldiers star in these. apparently plumbers, IT guys, and accountants aren't loved by their dogs).

 

[ViaCrucis]

Absolutely. The number of 'dog rescue' vids on YT suggests that we connect with dogs in ways we don't with any other animal,

I imagine it's because, at least in part, that it's not just that we domesticated dogs, they domesticated us as well. I think there really is a unique bond between humans and canines that is the result of our having lived together for so long--it's not just that they have adapted to our company, we have adapted to theirs as well.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Hetta]

I imagine it's because, at least in part, that it's not just that we domesticated dogs, they domesticated us as well. I think there really is a unique bond between humans and canines that is the result of our having lived together for so long--it's not just that they have adapted to our company, we have adapted to theirs as well.

-CryptoLutheran

What a great post. I like that idea very much.

 

[Locutus]

I imagine it's because, at least in part, that it's not just that we domesticated dogs, they domesticated us as well. I think there really is a unique bond between humans and canines that is the result of our having lived together for so long--it's not just that they have adapted to our company, we have adapted to theirs as well.

-CryptoLutheran

Agreed. But I think there's more to it than that. We've lived with horses for a long time too, and while horse lovers might be passionate, the majority of us don't connect with them in the intense way we do with dogs. It's easy enough to put this down to the intelligence of dogs, and the fact that they engage with us in recognisable way, as you mentioned. But the thing is that they behaved 'like us' from the get go. Adaptations since then have been relatively minor. In fact, any time spent around artic breeds will tell you just how minor these adaptations have been! And this is where we come back to the wolf pack. While wolves don't connect with us, the DO behave like us. It was this that drew men to dogs in the first place.

 

[Hetta]

Absolutely. The number of 'dog rescue' vids on YT suggests that we connect with dogs in ways we don't with any other animal, and I imagine it's for the same reason that dog & soldier vids get us so misty (though no clue why soldiers star in these. apparently plumbers, IT guys, and accountants aren't loved by their dogs).

But plumbers, IT guys and accountants don't usually spend months and months away from home in danger for their lives. So, I think that's why it resonates with many people, because a high percentage of us have loved ones who have either been in the service, or we know others who have had loved ones in the service. We know how *we* feel when loved ones return safely, but this is a measure of how *dogs* feel. No, they don't know where their human has been, of course not, but the know that he or she has been gone and is back home. TBH, my dog greets me like this every night, lol.

 

[Locutus]

But plumbers, IT guys and accountants don't usually spend months and months away from home in danger for their lives. So, I think that's why it resonates with many people, because a high percentage of us have loved ones who have either been in the service, or we know others who have had loved ones in the service. We know how *we* feel when loved ones return safely, but this is a measure of how *dogs* feel. No, they don't know where their human has been, of course not, but the know that he or she has been gone and is back home. TBH, my dog greets me like this every night, lol.

Must be an American thing I guess. Here we have few soldiers, and they're not regarded as heroes. They're mainly just kids from working class backgrounds who don't have too many career options.

I suppose I just wondered why there aren't an equal number of vids of dogs greeting ordinary civilians after a long absence. The result would be the same. Dogs don't care

 

[Hetta]

Must be an American thing I guess. Here we have few soldiers, and they're not regarded as heroes. They're mainly just kids from working class backgrounds who don't have too many career options.

I suppose I just wondered why there aren't an equal number of vids of dogs greeting ordinary civilians after a long absence. The result would be the same. Dogs don't care

I agree with you. Your dog just knows that his or her human was gone, but now has come back. On Saturday mornings, our dog is so happy. You can really tell the difference between during the week, when she jumps back in her bed after greeting me first thing, because I only have time to say 'hello' before I leave, and Saturday when I come down and start putting on coffee and pottering around. Her tail is wagging and wagging, and she follows me all around the house.

 

[Locutus]

I agree with you. Your dog just knows that his or her human was gone, but now has come back. On Saturday mornings, our dog is so happy. You can really tell the difference between during the week, when she jumps back in her bed after greeting me first thing, because I only have time to say 'hello' before I leave, and Saturday when I come down and start putting on coffee and pottering around. Her tail is wagging and wagging, and she follows me all around the house.

they're so in tune, aren't they. they accommodate us unconditionally, and never fail to adapt to whatever we need to do in our human lives.

our dogs are a working breed (sheep herders), and they're insanely intelligent. they seem to know what we're thinking, what we'll do before we do it, what weather is coming, and even quite often appear to understand basic sentences. they're also stunningly obedient in the sense that the slightest hint of a signal gets a response, and each response is 100% committed. we can voice control them from a long distance, and even longer distance by hand signals or whistles. and these are untrained dogs. as in not trained for herding, only for basic domestic obedience.

 

[Hetta]

Wow. That's really cool. Our dog isn't exactly 'stunningly obedient' but smart she is, and so full of love.

 

[Chesterton]

Interesting trivia I heard, is that a dog is the only animal which will maintain eye contact with a human. Even the apes which are very intelligent don't do it. A dog can stare at you when you're talking to it as if it's desperately trying to decode your language and understand you. They're the best.

 

[Locutus]

A dog can stare at you when you're talking to it as if it's desperately trying to decode your language and understand you.

This! They really want to know what you're saying

We can and should learn much from our doggy brothers and sisters.

 

[Locutus]

Wow. That's really cool. Our dog isn't exactly 'stunningly obedient' but smart she is, and so full of love.

It's innate to the breed. They were developed to be very responsive and sensitive to the slightest gesture. Even idiots like us can get quite a lot out of them

 

[Chesterton]

Plus, no cat ever fetched me a beer.

 

[KitKatMatt]

As someone who dislikes eye contact, cats are good friends to me.

Other people find my lack of eye contact unnerving and always think I'm not interested in talking to them because I don't lock eyes.

Dogs are honestly too human-like for me. I enjoy their company but they wear me out fast and I am not sure if I could ever own one. They are excitable, have lots of energy, like interacting with people constantly, and like to stare. That's not to say my cats don't have their moments or don't like to interact with me, it's just not a constant thing as they need their space just as much as I need mine.

 

[Hetta]

Plus, no cat ever fetched me a beer.

A cat would pour your beer down the sink and get you to make it a gin and tonic.

 

[Chesterton]

Other people find my lack of eye contact unnerving and always think I'm not interested in talking to them because I don't lock eyes.

It might be that you're staring down, but the horns on your head might also be a bit unnerving.

 

[Locutus]

I enjoy their company but they wear me out fast and I am not sure if I could ever own one. They are excitable, have lots of energy, like interacting with people constantly, and like to stare. That's not to say my cats don't have their moments or don't like to interact with me, it's just not a constant thing as they need their space just as much as I need mine.

I recommend you don't have kids, in that case

Just joking, of course. But it's sometimes a jolt to be reminded just how similar dogs and children are, in terms of their demands for attention and energy levels.

 

[KitKatMatt]

It might be that you're staring down, but the horns on your head might also be a bit unnerving.

Maybe everyone is shorter than me and I'm staring down at them in exasperation

The horns come in handy when I need to hang my keyring on something!