Animal Emotions

Do animals really help us along - are they good for us? Hal Herzog isn't so sure. Marian Dawkins claims they do and suggests that's why animals matter because we really don't know if they're conscious. Outlandish as this may sound it forms the basis for her strongly anthropocentric views. Animals matter because they exist. Read More

These two bottlenose dolphins are doing well after being released from captivity. Let's wish them good luck and rejoice as they are free at last. Read More

A new book encourages skepticism and agnosticism on animal consciousness and mistakenly claims that anthropomorphism is anti-science. Anthropomorphism is not the only argument for animal consciousness. Science has shown that many other animals are sentient and conscious beings and this must be factored into continued efforts to protect them from harm. Read More

Wildlife Services heartlessly maims and kills millions of animals using horrific methods and your money and tries to stay out of the public eye. They can no longer do so. A three-part exposé based on irrefutable facts in the Sacramento Bee should motivate everyone to publicly decry their killing ways. It's time to put Wildlife Services out of business. Read More

Non-reading baboons can learn to distinguish written real words from nonsense words. Recognizing visual word forms is a key component of literacy and these data provide the first animal model. Once again, we learn that we are not alone in demonstrating some fascinating and sophisticated cognitive skills. Read More

This heartwarming tale of two dogs will surely make you smile. Read about and watch two dogs, Tanner, who is blind and suffering from seizures, and Blair, who was abused and very timid, rescue one another and have happy lives as close friends. Blair even leads Tanner around by his leash. Read More

Given all the negativity that pervades the media, it's wonderful when there's some good news. These videos of dogs and their human friends reuniting will surely bring tears of joy to your eyes. Dogs love, miss, and greet their human companions with no licks barred. Read More

Disneynature's "Chimpanzee" just premiered on Earth Day and is well-worth seeing. In addition, Wesleyan Professor Lori Gruen's most valuable history of the use and abuse of chimpanzees in U. S. laboratories is now available. Read More

Just when you thought you'd heard it all the headline of a recent essay claims we now know that crayfish bluff one another during aggressive encounters because claw size is not related to strength. Nonetheless, we really don't know yet whether crayfish deceive one another. Read More

Horses like many other animals help others in need. Watch Champ, a wild stallion, rescue a young filly in raging water, yet another example of compassion and empathy that are widespread among many different animals. Read More

Just about every day is a mixed bag for nonhuman animals. To wit, we've recently learned that dolphins are more socially complex than previously recognized and that St. Jude Hospital plans to raise money from horrific raccoon hunts using coondogs. We need to, and easily can, change our ways. Read More

There simply is no reason to dye chickens or any other animals. Not only is this practice abusive, it sends the wrong message to children that animals are mere objects with which we can do anything we choose and buy and dispose of them on a whim. Let's have children appreciate other animals for whom (not what) they really are. Read More

Wolf torture continues and is praised by some while critics' lives are threatened. This story of a trapped wolf who was also used for target practice (teaser image) should outrage people and get them to do something to stop this reprehensible behavior. Read More

"Dolphin Confidential" is an inspirational book about a woman scientist and the "urban" L. A. dolphins she comes to love. Maddalena Bearzi shows that bonding with animals does not preclude doing solid science and serves as a role model for those who want to become scientists and feel free to display feelings for the animals they study. Read More