#dogs feel #guilt

yes, I feel guilt

     We found footprints on the white pillows on the couch in my wife’s office.  Obviously belonging to Gizmo.

     Grace easily cleaned them up, but for the first time in a while she looked sternly at Gizmo and, almost gently, said, “Bad dog.  For shame.”  Not shouting.  Not really scolding.  Just the gentlest of reminders that we didn’t want him or his dirty feet on couches in general and ones with white pillows in particular.

    Reaction: dogs DO feel guilt.  Gizmo went into full tragedy mode: he put his head down and looked up at her with his huge, brown almost eyeliner-ringed eyes.  He lay down at her feet, his shoulders hunched, his head down between his legs, but never taking his eyes from her, as if to say, “I’m so sorry.  Forgive me.”

     We did.

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare, and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made." - M. Acklam