Honors College Art & Science of Emotions Fall 2017 (1:20 p.m.) Love Journal | Page 34

Dogs mourn losses for many years. For example, a dog named Greyfriars Bobby served as Constable John Gray’s companion. Once
Gray had passed away, the dog was reported sleeping on his master’s grave every day for 14 years until he had passed away as well
(Brogaard, 2014). This dedication definitely proves that dogs understand how to love and have this attachment to humans that is almost unex-
plainable.
Opposingly though, many believe that dogs are conditioned to show us affection for their own benefit such as food and other re-
sources. This may have been true for the beginning of domesticating dogs, however, dogs have a large emotional capacity, not as large as hu-
mans, but enough to reciprocate emotions to man(Behan, 2009). Additionally, if dogs only behaved in a love manner for food and other re-
sources, they would act the same towards every human. In my personal experience, my dogs will take food from my mom, brother, and I, how-
ever will not accept food from strangers. This, to me, proves that the bonds of love and trust built with your dogs are important when consid-
ering whether or not the dog does love an individual. The evolution and domestication process may have part to do with how a dog behaves, how-
ever, they truly are capable of emotions and love.
Charles Burton Barber, an English painter, has captured many precious moments humans share with their dogs that further show
that dogs really do reciprocate and feel love. In one of his paintings, A Special Pleader, a young girl wipes her tears as she stands in a
corner for an unknown misdeed. This little girl is then being protected by a border collie who has one paw raised and a look of begging for
forgiveness. This painting makes viewers feel as if this dog wants the little girl to be released from her punishment. This message allows us
to know that dogs really do have emotions towards humans and care about them, thus creating a love essence.
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