Talk:Human-animal bond

Dedication

While I certainly don't claim ownership of the article, my efforts here are dedicated to the best friend I've ever had, Mr. Clark, who happens, genotypically, to be a cat. I'm only here briefly, as I'm not sure he's going to last the night, but he is comfortable. He has more will to live than any two- or four-legged person I've ever met. (Picture on my user page) Howard C. Berkowitz 03:47, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Mr. Clark died in my arms at 9:20 US Eastern (GMT-5). He still interacted with his human family the previous midnight, and with me until about 7:30 AM. Then, with active comfort care and pain control, he began to drift away.

There was a lot of pressure, last week, to euthanize, but I believe that was based on his appearance rather than his behavior and -- yes -- communication. His diagnosis of feline squamous cell carcinoma has a median survival of three months, and he had a comfortable eight, getting the best possible veterinary treatment, home hospice care, and much love. He gave back that love in many ways. There are, I think, ideas for the article, but, for obvious reasons, aren't very clear right now. Howard C. Berkowitz 18:30, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

AIBO

I remember watching a report on the use of Sony's AIBO robot dog in retirement homes as a substitute for a real pet[1][2] which perhaps deserves a mention as an example of the human-animal bond being exploited. David Finn 06:53, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Tons more to be said here

Re wild animals - the Adamsons and Elsa, that other lion that lived in a city (London?) and was later released into the wild and seemed to recognise the boys who had owned him years later; there is a gorgeous US documentary about elephants; in one sequence where a zoo handler has to part with his elephant but is explaining that she'll be better off where she's going - oh, boy, I made a dent in a box of tissues....

And of course there are many stories about faithful dogs. And let's not forget James Herriott's tales. Aleta Curry 02:01, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

There is a lot more that could be written. There are reports of beloved pets returning to visit their owners once they crossed over. I did not believe this until it happened to me. Our Malinois mix died suddenly leaving me heartbroken. I mourned her death for several weeks until one morning when she came back for one more visit. While I did not physically see her, except for a "sparklie" area where she used to sit in her chair, I did hear her. The night before she died, I sat up with her holding her in my arms, and listening to her labored breathing. When she returned for her visit, I heard the same breathing. All this happened while I was reading the morning newspaper. I looked up and saw the sparklies, heard her breathing, and then I looked away from the area. I looked back and everything was still there. I did this three times before the sparklies and the sounds disappeared. Her chair used to be in that location but it was moved because I could not look at the chair. This all happened in that area. This only happened once but it brought great comfort to me. I thank God for allowing me one more visit with my beloved dog.Mary Ash 02:13, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Other aspects: Poetry written about animals. I suppose we need a sociologist in on this, do people need animals more than they need us? Also need some confirmation by a biologist re hurt wild animals coming to human habitation, I have anecdotal evidence only. Also a psychologist on people having (temporary) hallucinations after a pet dies. I know I had olfactory hallucinations after my cat died; I kept thinking I was smelling a soiled litter box, even after I had cleaned everything to be sure to be sure, a therapist friend told me that was perfectly normal and not to be surprised if I 'heard' him as well, but it would be good to have these this confirmed for the article and written up properly.

Along with this: the Victorian's habit of immortalising pets made some animaliers wealthy and famous. People still have their pets (and livestock) photographs, or their photos taken with animals.

Aleta Curry 00:45, 28 September 2010 (UTC)

Examples

Why is Greyfriars Bobby best known? To be honest, I had only vaguely known of him, but I long knew about Hachiko. Is this a bit Eurocentric? Howard C. Berkowitz 21:25, 1 October 2010 (UTC)

I did consider that carefully before I wrote it. I do think Bobby's better known, if only because of the books and Disney. Saying so is much less egregious than some of the political stuff we've let pass. IMHO.

Perhaps in 20 years it'll be different - who knows?

I've known of Bobby since childhood; I was an adult before I heard of Hachiko.

Having said that, if you want to qualify it with 'in the West' or something similar, be my guest.

Aleta Curry 02:54, 2 October 2010 (UTC)