the prettiest of views

Dogs act in ways that resemble human empathy, such as resting with a person who is sick with the flu, or licking an injured area where a bruise is set to appear. Dogs and humans share the same anatomical parts, so why can't we share the same feelings and emotions?

Each of our dogs have taken turns to help a family member recover from an illness or a surgery. The companionship and their patience is wonderful during the recovery process. Children with fur are the best at watching their owner and offering a snuggle or a lick when needed.

Humans will debate the canine instinct with their range and capability of emotion. Any dog owner can give examples of fear, frustration, anxiety, and even depression experienced by their dog. 

sen·tient

  [sen-shuhnt]  Show IPA

adjective

1.

having the power of perception by the senses; conscious.

2.

characterized by sensation and consciousness.

noun

3.

a person or thing that is sentient.

4.

Archaic. the conscious mind.

Origin: 
1595–1605;  < Latin sentient-  (stem of sentiēns,  present participle ofsentīre  to feel), equivalent to senti-  verb stem + -ent- -ent

"sentient." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 21 Oct. 2013. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sentient>.

Sentience is a term defined as "having perceptions and sensations." If a dog is "sentient" she is aware of her surroundings and aware of what happens to her. She is also capable of feelings and emotions, of pain and pleasure, and can maintain complex social relationships. A range of emotions experienced can be illustrated by when a dog's emotions range from happiness that you have returned home-- to sulking because you left them for a while. It seems the dog remembers that you left and has hurt feelings. 

FYI: The English Bulldog is one of the rare canines that can die from a broken heart. Unfortunately, there are documented cases of loss after a traumatic event. These sweet bullies love deeply.

Dogs may not have our sense of time, place or self. This loss of sense of time or "living present" is natural for them.  Honesty, perceptions, and sensations can be skewed by humans. Dogs are more evolved than humans in this manner. 

To sum this all up I must push myself to "live in the present" like my dogs. At the top of my To Do list will be the words, "Smile- Appreciate- and Look up."