Today's interest:

[vraiblonde]

I certainly do think dogs feel emotion because every picture I've seen of a dog dressed up in human-like clothing or sitting on Santa's lap etc looks absolutely disgusted by what they're being forced to do.

 

[vraiblonde]

Do animals feel affection, genuine affection? I think they do, for each other as well as for their people.

I agree, but affection is not love.

 

[RPMDAD]

Are Dogs People Too? Study Suggests Canines Can Understand Emotions

A new study suggests that there is a good chance your dog can actually understand you, and even know exactly what mood you're in.

According to researchers in Hungary, dogs have voice areas in the same part of their brains that humans do. This would indicate that both species can understand vocal tones that express different emotions, like happiness, anger, distress, or fear.

Harris Faulkner interviewed veterinarian Heather Loenser and her canine "assistant" Jasper on the Fox News Deck about the findings.

"I think we [humans and canines] have a lot of similarities, but I think our animals do a better job of leaving out more of the emotions that are not helpful, like guilt and revenge and spite," Loenser said.

Study: Dogs May Understand Your Emotions | Fox News Insider

 

[Railroad]

I agree, but affection is not love.

This would lead to a lengthy and edifying discussion broader in scope than talking about furbabies - as strictly an exchange of ideas, comparing notes, as it were. Don't necessarily want to go there, and I doubt that you do. I'll be the first to admit that I may have funny ideas on these topics anyway.