While we may treat our pets like family members (and rightfully so) society does not always extend that grace to all species. And yet, animals do have complex emotional lives that can often mirror our own.
Cows in the dairy industry will chase after their newborns, bellowing for them, when they’re taken away after birth. Wildlife parents are protective of their pups and cubs.
Raccoons have figured out smart, sneaky ways to access food. Koalas have begged passersby for water during drought conditions.
Elephants express grief and mourn over their dead. Chickens show empathy when their babies are in distress. Octopuses display distinct personalities and learn how to use tools to create shelters.
I’m sure those with pets have a story to share about how their companion might have shown empathy or caring at one time or another.
My little Yorkie, Chloe, used to run around the pool, barking frantically every time I took a dip. I wondered if she was worried about who would feed her if I drowned but I like to think she was concerned about my safety.
Another startling example of her awareness surfaced one day when we went to the local park for our daily walk. A motorcycle club was holding an event, with numerous cycles lining the parking lot.
Attendees were getting ready to leave as we completed our walk and started cutting across the parking lot. As we walked past one burly, tattooed he-man, he jokingly taunted my baby with, “Hey, is that a mop or a dog?”
Chloe stopped, looked up at him, walked closer, peed on his shoe and indignantly walked away with a huff. I was mortified; she had never done that before!
For a few seconds, there was complete silence and then raucous laughter from all around. Did she somehow understand? I like to think so, and she wasn’t having it.
We left with our heads held high and I’ll bet he’ll think twice before he picks on a Yorkie again. Perhaps those species who don’t look or talk like us deserve more consideration.
