[Ashley.]

Originally Posted by PeppermintMokka

they have survival instincts... which precludes having a concept of death.

Instinct lives in the subconscious mind, though. They have these survival instincts but I doubt they know why, it's just their bodies telling them what to do. Which I guess is Science, but it's not exactly a concept that they are aware of.

[Mokka]

Originally Posted by Ashley in Wonderland

Instinct lives in the subconscious mind, though. They have these survival instincts but I doubt they know why, it's just their bodies telling them what to do. Which I guess is Science, but it's not exactly a concept that they are aware of.

Actually, there has been some great scientific studies done in the last decade proving that dogs have conscious and cognitive thoughts. The same type of research that has been done to chimps and apes to show their relatedness to us, and the traits we attribute to humans but that exist in other species.

I think that just because we have no way to be aware of what animals do consciously, does not mean they don't have conscious thoughts.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by PeppermintMokka

Actually, there has been some great scientific studies done in the last decade proving that dogs have conscious and cognitive thoughts. The same type of research that has been done to chimps and apes to show their relatedness to us, and the traits we attribute to humans but that exist in other species.

I think that just because we have no way to be aware of what animals do consciously, does not mean they don't have conscious thoughts.

Exactly this, and they can communicate with each other to some degree so they understand a little bit more than most people would give them credit for.