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Are Dogs Empathic?
🐾Hey there, Pooches and Peeps!
Let me bark at you about something close to my heart—feelings. Not just mine (though, yes, I do get offended when the Bell steals my sunny nap spot), but yours, too. Us dogs? We’re emotional detectives with paws. And science is finally catching up to what we’ve always known: dogs are super empathic.
We can sniff out your mood (literally—your sweat changes when you’re stressed), read your facial expressions, and hear it in your voice when you’re feeling down. I don’t need a psychology degree—just a wagging tail and a good nose.
Turns out, dogs have something called oxytocin—it’s a fancy hormone humans also have that helps with bonding and love. So yeah, that warm fuzzy feeling you get when we cuddle? Not your imagination and totally mutual. Dogs and humans are indeed simpatico (in sync).
Sure, walking us helps you stay healthy and meet new people (we are the best conversation starters!) . But our emotional smarts go beyond that. Studies show emotional support dogs—like my buddy Miles, who helps his human with anxiety—can lower heart rates and blood pressure. Some of us work with kids on the autism spectrum, giving them comfort and confidence. Others visit hospitals and nursing homes to spread a dog’s special brand of joy, reduce stress, and maybe sneak a treat or two.
In my ideal future? “No Dogs Allowed” signs are ancient history, every park has a treat dispenser, and dogs are recognized as the furry therapists we truly are.
Come back to Gus Barks for more dog info and movie recommendations—and remember, dogs are people too.
—Gus🐾
References:
https://www.freshpet.com/blog/can-dogs-sense-human-emotions
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10426098/
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dogs-and-our-emotions
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The Real Oddballs: Fluffy Heroes with a Job to Do
Maremma Sheepdogs, like Oddball in the movie of the same name, are real-life heroes. These loyal, hardworking dogs have been protecting livestock from predators for centuries. But in 2006, they took on a brand-new gig: guarding endangered fairy penguins on Middle Island in Australia.
And guess what? It worked. Thanks to these fluffy guardians, the penguin population started bouncing back. Even today, Maremmas are still on the job—proving that sometimes the best conservationists have four paws and a wagging tail.
These dogs are born to work. Maremmas aren’t apartment dwellers or city slickers. They’re made for wide-open spaces where they can bark, patrol, and put their intelligence and strong instincts to use. Males can weigh over 100 pounds, and they’ve got thick, weatherproof white coats and polar-bear-cute faces to match.
Independent and confident, Maremmas are happy working solo—whether they’re herding sheep on remote pastures or keeping penguins safe on a windy island. Today, you’ll find them doing important work in Australia, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, and the United States.
Want to see one in action? Check out my movie review of Oddball here and let us know what you think!
That’s it for today’s tale of fluff, courage, and quirk. 🐾
Embrace your inner-oddball and remember, dogs are people too.
Do you dig it?
⸻Gus
References:
• Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog – Wikipedia
• Bradley Mountain Farm: The Maremma Sheepdog – A Guardian of Tradition and Livestock