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I don't think anyone who's had a dog could ever question whether animals can feel empathy, it's just so obvious. I am sure that the level varies from species to

I don't think anyone who's had a dog could ever question whether animals can feel empathy, it's just so obvious. I am sure that the level varies from species to species and also within a species, as it does in humans. But a story like this https://www.thedodo.com/lost-dog-saves-trapped-friend-1353550663.html https://www.thedodo.com/lost-dog-saves-trapped-friend-135355... is hard to read and not feel a little warmer.

soft_dev_person 11y ago
I was gonna post the same sentiment. My dog has such a huge range of emotions, it's no doubt in my mind he feels in many ways like we do. He even has dreams and nightmares.
amelius 11y ago
Slightly OT: according to actual scientific research ([1]) done by Rupert Sheldrake, dogs are even telepathic. There is also a very interesting Google-talks video of Sheldrake explaining the experiments. [1] http://www.sheldrake.org/research/telepathy http://www.sheldrake.org/research/telepathy
- laumars 11y ago
  I struggle with the telepathy argument. I think it's just a placeholder explanation for something a little less sci-fi. Such as scent, body language or just dumb coincidence. However I do like the "Falling Skies" (a Sci-Fi drama starring Noah Wyle) explanation for telepathy; which was communication over the electromagnetic spectrum in a frequency that humans wouldn't normally detect (long waves IIRC)
- Luc 11y ago
  Scientists are wrong all the time, often for their whole lives, and on the balance of things it is extremely likely Mr. Sheldrake is an example of this.
Lapsa 11y ago
exactly. i remember my doge trying to cheer me up whenever i felt sad
kalzium 11y ago
I have a dog, too and have to admit I sometimes use her as an "emotions detector" - much like a guide dog, because I'm actually not that good at recognizing people's emotions/moods. The angles at which she puts her ears and head are pretty reliable and easy to read indicators. :) When she sees someone's upset or sad she'll walk over to them and cheer them up. Even random people in the street or on the subway. I mostly fail to even notice...

soft_dev_person 11y ago

I was gonna post the same sentiment. My dog has such a huge range of emotions, it's no doubt in my mind he feels in many ways like we do. He even has dreams and nightmares.

amelius 11y ago

Slightly OT: according to actual scientific research ([1]) done by Rupert Sheldrake, dogs are even telepathic. There is also a very interesting Google-talks video of Sheldrake explaining the experiments. [1] http://www.sheldrake.org/research/telepathy http://www.sheldrake.org/research/telepathy

laumars 11y ago
I struggle with the telepathy argument. I think it's just a placeholder explanation for something a little less sci-fi. Such as scent, body language or just dumb coincidence. However I do like the "Falling Skies" (a Sci-Fi drama starring Noah Wyle) explanation for telepathy; which was communication over the electromagnetic spectrum in a frequency that humans wouldn't normally detect (long waves IIRC)
Luc 11y ago
Scientists are wrong all the time, often for their whole lives, and on the balance of things it is extremely likely Mr. Sheldrake is an example of this.

Lapsa 11y ago

exactly. i remember my doge trying to cheer me up whenever i felt sad

kalzium 11y ago

I have a dog, too and have to admit I sometimes use her as an "emotions detector" - much like a guide dog, because I'm actually not that good at recognizing people's emotions/moods. The angles at which she puts her ears and head are pretty reliable and easy to read indicators. :) When she sees someone's upset or sad she'll walk over to them and cheer them up. Even random people in the street or on the subway. I mostly fail to even notice...