Humans and dogs have coevolved to compliment each other

[opalsandcoffee]

Not to derail other dog threads, just moving my comments to over here. There is a deep bond between the humans and dogs, and they can communicate to a degree unusual between two separate species. Access to dogs superior sense of smell has allowed ours to dwindle, as we can use theirs. We also use their speed and capacity to defend us. They benefit from our intelligence and technology.

I don't think it is surprising that so many people need or want a dog in their lives, or that so many dogs want a human. It is what we have evolved to do, no matter how inconvenient, messy or expensive the relationship might sometimes be.

I fully agree OP ❤️
And, they're joyful-well mine is anyway!

What a lovely thread OP! I totally agree, I wouldn't be without my dogs. We as humans have such a special relationship with them. Yes they're messy, dirty and a nuisance sometimes but then, aren't we all?! 🤣

Your thread title made me smile OP! The idea of owner & dog saying nice things about each other 😂

(I do get you meant 'complement'!)

Pretty sure our dog is the most intelligent member of our family but otherwise yes, I agree.

The dog depends on me to change the channel so he can watch all his favourite cheesy Christmas movies, I depend on him to act as a giant hot water bottle so I don't have to put the heating on.

The dog depends on my husband for a detailed running commentary on the grand Prix because watching cars go round and round in circles wouldn't be interesting otherwise and my husband depends on him so he can't pretend the toxic gases are emanating from the dog.

It complement, not compliment. 😊

I was never bothered with dogs until ex brought a little staffie home, then later on another bull breed pup. I really believe pets teach us how to love unconditionally and have the ability to soften hard hearts

whatever. I m dyslexic

Also have both hands bandaged

100% agree. Owning a dog improves my life hugely.

Oh no! Did your ddog bite them?

no I have cancer

they can communicate to a degree unusual between two separate species

Don't confuse cause and effect. Species that don't make good companions are less often kept as companions!

Access to dogs superior sense of smell has allowed ours to dwindle

Dogs were domesticated by Homo Sapiens. That's our species, with our nose.

no I have cancer

Have you tried home radiotherapy, with mittens made from Tilley lamp mantles?

Agree wholeheartedly. My life would be much emptier without my dogs, we love each other to bits.

I was just going to say the same thing😀

I do love an apt typo. I spend my time telling my dogs they are wonderful and they do the same to me.

That's so interesting OP, had no idea about some of this. Where did you learn this and can you say more about human/dog relationship?

I’ve considered this a lot since having a puppy. It’s amazing that an animal that is so wholly programmed to eat everything; mouth first, brain later; and also that so many things (seemingly harmless things that we happily feed our human babies) are highly toxic to dogs, and if that doesn’t kill them, then the fact that their teeth are so much stronger than their digestive system meaning they can chew sticks and bones that will catastrophically splinter and cause them no end of misery- it’s truly amazing that they survive in the wild. Mine wouldn’t survive in a garden in Worcestershire.

I like to think that at some point in history, a deal was brokered between dog and human- I’ll bark at stuff for you, and you follow my puppy around for 2 years making sure it doesn’t eat anything poisonous , or chew anything dangerous. Then, when she’s an adult, she will also bark at stuff for you. Deal?

Dogs have been selectively bred by humans for over 100 000 years. They have been line bred to produce breeds that are loyal with a range of skills. Dogs have not 'evolved' - wild animals evolve due to environmental pressures. Domesticated animals are 'improved' over generations.

🙄

Not just sticks. In the absence of anything more obviously risky to chew, mine managed to bite a piece off a brick wall today 🙄

lovely thread & sorry to read about your cancer.

OP this a lovely thread - my dogs mean so much to me.
Best wishes with your health and sorry about the couple of mean comments you've received.

Despite my username the puppies have arrived! I am now a very proud 'grandmother' to 3 beautiful spaniel babies 😊
Even when they were a day old mum was happy to leave them in our care whilst she had a five minute breather! The trust our dogs place in us is immeasurable.
Yes they are a great deal of work (the whole family is involved in dog care here so my teens are also heavily involved in their care) but they are worth every second.
I think, like most relationships that the more you put in the more you will get in return.