Wondering about dogs.

I just read an article in Discover magazine titled “Inner Lives of Dogs”.  I am sure if someone could figure it out they would do one on cats, too.  I have been owned by cats and each one is different and their actions are hard to predict.  Dogs, on the other hand, are not as complicated, or are they.  The article states that the mind of a dog is equivalent to a two and a half year old child.  Now I have had a lot of dogs and have three now and I would say one is as smart as stated above, one is a lot smarter, and one is a lot dumber.  The article goes on to say “As far as emotions go, dogs do have them.  They have the basic emotions of joy, fear, anger, disgust, excitement, contentment, distress and even love.  A dog does not have, and will not develop, more complex emotions, like guilt, pride, contempt, and shame.”

My one dog watches TV and barks at other dogs and some selected animals.  Most dogs prefer HDTV since it is easier for them to see and probably looks more real to them.  An old fashioned TV like I have flicker at about 60 Hz whereas an HDTV flickers at a much higher rate.  Since some dogs can detect a flicker of 75 Hz, the old TVs would be harder for them to see clearly, but one of mine sure can.  That is if she is not laying here dreaming.  Yes, dogs dream.  The article also said “It is an odd fact that small dogs have more dreams than big dogs do”. . . . large dogs dream less frequently but their dreams last longer than the smaller dogs’ dreams do.

The article goes on to say that dogs can actually smile and laugh.  It gives instructions on how to imitate a dogs laugh.  I tried it and mine just ignored me.  I must not be laughing the right way or they don’t see anything funny, except me acting like a fool.  Hey, I have to be good at something and acting like a fool is one of specialties.  Now you all have a great day and wonder what your dog (or cat) is thinking about you, you hear?