Do Dogs Feel Gratitude?

Dr Ebner updates us on Bones:

"Bones is currently one month post cataract surgery. The changes in him have been stunning. He is learning to be a house dog, although his natural enthusiasm is sometimes too much when I am trying to read or watch something on TV. He is my constant shadow. When he first began going into the backyard without a leash he would follow me around until something caught the attention of his nose and off he would go investigating things he could smell before but not see. Then after a few minutes he would come trotting back to me and follow me around until it was time to check something else out. His tail never stops wagging. He seems to thoroughly enjoy life. After what he's been through I guess he would. The other day I took him to the dog park for the first time. Once again he would run around and do his own thing for about 30 seconds and then he would turn around an look to see if I was nearby. If I was close he would keep running, if I was a little too far away he would stop and run back to me. Being a retriever, he loves to play with a ball. He tracks the flight of the ball perfectly and is happy to run back and forth wagging his tail.

He did have an altercation with my Giant Schnauzer two weeks ago. After it was over the big dog who out-weighs Bones by 35 lbs had left his mark on Bones' muzzle and his head but in the end it seems as though it just needed to happen to get a little pecking order reestablished in the house. Since then Bones is giving the Giant a wide birth and everyone seems to be getting along just fine.

He still gets eye drops a few times a day but nowhere near the amount he received after surgery. Bones has gained 16 lbs since he first arrived at the clinic. He is no longer boney. My wife decided that he needed a new name; I had to agree since she has not complained about having a third dog in the house. We decided on Rupert. It has some class but is a little goofy just like him.

The other day I was lifting him into my SUV and he simultaneously jumped out. Lets just say the Lab skull is harder than the human face...



Do dogs feel gratitude? Maybe, but they have a funny way of showing it."