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)