Why Is the Connection between People and Dogs So Strong?

And What Does That Mean About Our Relationships with Other Animals?

A lot of people, most people I expect, like animals a lot. I know I do. Over the years I have enjoyed the company of dogs, cats, fish, and other assorted critters. My devotion to and affection for them all was genuine. But the dogs were, and are, in a category by themselves. I know a lot of us feel the same.

Time magazine has recently published a special edition about this very question. In it, Jeffrey Kluger laid out the framework nicely:

“… about the bond that humans and dogs share. We live with cats, we work with horses, we hire cows for their milk and chickens for their eggs and pay them with food—unless we kill them and eat them instead. Our lives are entangled with those of other species, but we could disentangle if we wanted.

With dogs, things are different. Our world and their world swirled together long ago like two different shades of paint. Once you’ve achieved a commingled orange, you’re never going back to red and yellow.”

Exactly. The human/dog bond is unusual among animal species. Nothing that I know of comes even close. We speculate this all started as an arrangement of convenience. Wolves found our scraps were a good source of food, we found they were excellent guardians. It evolved over time in a very special way.

Those early connections could have happened only if a wolf decided to take a chance and a human did the same. In a time wherein misplaced trust could mean an early death, these two species took a chance on each other.

In some ways, this may not be all that surprising. Wolves and humans shared some common factors almost from the beginning. Both hunted in packs. Neither were the most ferocious predators, but both maximized their advantages. Both often hunted prey to exhaustion and attacked as a pack. As a byproduct of this violent commonality, they often crossed paths. A bargain was struck.

I may get in trouble here with some readers. It seems to me that oftentimes the bond between men and dogs is stronger than that between women and dogs. That is NOT to say that women love their dogs any less than men. But I swear there seems to be an extra connection in the former case. Some women may agree. They may do so with an observation that this is likely real. After all, men and dogs appear to think alike and have the same short priority list. They may be on to something there. On this matter, to borrow a phrase, I choose to let sleeping dogs lie.

The dogs we know today are far removed from their ancestors. The connection between the two is almost unrecognizable in their traits and instincts. As has been written by others, we have created a new species uniquely in tune with us. This is symbiosis in the fullest sense of that term.

No creature reads us as well as dogs. If you pay attention, you cannot help but be impressed with how observant and how perceptive they are. Your dog knows the instant you walk in what sort of mood you are in and reacts accordingly. Even when they appear to be snoozing, they are listening, looking for clues as to what you are up to and figuring out what role they may play.

We have created a creature that sees its central existence wrapped around ours. Your average dog just wants to make a human happy. I know that seems doubtful in that it seems we all work for our dogs, but they really do want us to be happy.

Our dog, Lizzie the Lab, misses nothing in this household. Although I have never yelled at her, if I get frustrated and start yelling at the computer (for example), she leaves the room. If I offer to play  frisbee on a given day, sometimes she joyfully goes for it, but sometimes I swear she is playing along just because she knows I would like her to do so.

For many years, anyone who assigned emotions or complex motives to any animal was dismissed by science. Finally, science is catching up. I am absolutely convinced that 20-30 years from now we will understand animal minds, social structure, and communication far better than we do now.

And we will be ashamed of our conduct. We will find that we have vastly underestimated the intelligence and sentience of a large range of animals. We have come closer with dogs than with any other species, but even here, we miss far more about them than they do about us. The evidence is accumulating.

If you would enjoy a good read on this, try Animal Wise, by Virginia Morell. Any readings you would like to share?

One fascinating element is the mutual psychological benefit both species seem to gain. It has been well documented that people who spend time around animals seem to have better health. Rubbing fur lowers blood pressure. As I noted in an earlier post, I do my best thinking walking in the woods with Lizzie.

It works the other way, too. A dog is generally content and happy in the company of a human with which a bond has formed. But even a stranger will do. Lizzie has never met a human stranger – every person she meets is a life-long friend just waiting for that connection she so readily provides. Dogs at this point in their evolution don’t just like us, they need to be with us. That gives us joy – and responsibility.

Dogs teach us the power of unconditional love, of dedication, and of the joys in the simple things in life. We are so much better a species from our time in their company. I cited a Will Rogers quote last week along the lines of “If there are no dogs in heaven, I want to go where they are.” Amen, brother.

I could write some more, but Lizzie is telling me it’s time for our walk. Duty calls.

  Bill Clontz & Lizzie

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