Is it really the unconditional love they show us?

Interesting question, I can say that my dog loves me more than anyone else, which I kind of enjoy.

For me I love animals because I can love them unconditionally, I can act crazy around them and they don't care I can whisper in their ear that I love them soooo much and they just close their eyes like they know( of coures loving my old cat mr.kitty I always ended up being clawed, but once he dissappeared I wept every night in my bed while praying for him to come back, and sophie every once in a while she kinda gets sick of it and rolls her eyes, but Jake just soaks it all up he loves being loved)And it's a chance to have a connection with another species, an animal, some being that is part of nature, which I  personally feel very removed from with all these houses and there isn't  much wildlife about but crows and those little brownbirds, that's why I get so excited when I see a little lizard in the yard I'm fascinated by nature. Usually for me the only time that me and my immediate family showed lots of love for one another was if we had been in a fight and we would say sorry and hug each other and cry. I can honestly say Sophie is my best friend right now, when I moved in with my grandpa a few years ago I never made friends again with people at my schools, I do have friends that I hangout with but I don't talk to them on the phone or go places with them I just eat lunch with them at school and thats it, nnot only that even your best friends can hurt you even your family I know Jake or Sophie will never hurt me emotionally maybe physically but that's an accident. Really I just LOOOVVEEE animals.

Do you love your dog unconditionally? Why?

With out a doubt I love my dogs, cats and any other furry creature with unconditional love, understanding and utmost respect. To include the winged ones.
 
Something I have learned over the years, animals do NOT lie. They tell it like it is! Their intuition is uncanny. I follow their lead and have learned to listen to their body language, their voices and their intelligence.
 
I would not be the person I am without the lessons that have been taught to me by the creatures of this earth.
 
 

My 14 yo lab/springer absolutely knows  who she loves and who she doesn't. She smiles a big toothy smile to greet only those people she truly loves. First it was only me. Then our pet/house sitter, Tim...she will actually get up off the couch and go to the door to greet him and lick his hand. And, more recently, after 5 years she recognizes my step son Dylan as one with love. The other day I was walking her when Dylan's bus dropped him off from school. He was walking toward us and she immediately stepped up her speed, going straight to him, smiling and wagging her tale. The fact that he is mentally ill, and HE smiled BACK at her and and took her into his hands, was BIG.

Corvus... I'm pickin up what your puttin down. [] My dog would go home with any friendly stranger that might cross his path. I don't fool myself that he loves me better than anyone else (in fact if he has a favorite it would be my boyfriend's brother!). I do love my dog unconditionally... but I think the best part of our relationship is that it's uncomplicated. There's no need to explain or talk anything through, and our bond is renewed every day (every hour?), all mistakes and unpleasant moments buried in the past. Dogs give you the opportunity to start over, and over, and over. They're all about right now, which is refreshingly simple, and it's wonderful to have access to that way of life.

They're all about right now, which is refreshingly simple, and it's wonderful to have access to that way of life.

 
I so disagree with this. Your bond with your dog depends entirely on every interaction you've ever had with the dog. If you teach your dog over and over again that you cannot be trusted, the dog remembers. I don't think dogs love unconditionally-- I think humans often misinterpret doggy behaviors as expressions of love. 

You make a good point mudpuppy, but, I know in my case my dogs and I have a strong bond and it is unconditional love they share with me.

I'm not sure I'd even classify what my dogs feel towards me as "love". But I will readily admit that one of the reasons I've always loved my animals is that I can love them completely and openly and they don't get freaked out about that like some humans do. I can do things for them and they don't try to read into it all sorts of ulterior motives--they just accept what I have for them and appreciate it right then.

I had cats when I was in college (well, I had one who had a litter--not my fault, she was way pregnant when I adopted her--and all my other housemates also had cats so we at one point had 11 cats in our house) and they were such a comfort to me. I have a lot of love to give, and that freaks most college-aged men out completely. "Why is she doing nice things for me? Is she going to try to get her claws into me? Does she want a commitment? What? WHAT?!?!" The cats however were quite willing to take whatever I've got and appreciate it just for what it is. A massage feels great. Catnip is awesome. Kitty treats taste fabulous. End of story.

I actually like how non-human and alien my furkids are. I appreciate them for their dogginess and cattiness. They aren't like me and I find that fascinating and intriguing. Being able to communicate with them, for me, is just an incredibly special experience and I really treasure it.

I actually like how non-human and alien my furkids are. I appreciate them for their dogginess and cattiness. They aren't like me and I find that fascinating and intriguing. Being able to communicate with them, for me, is just an incredibly special experience and I really treasure it.

 
Well said!!!!!!!

I so disagree with this. Your bond with your dog depends entirely on every interaction you've ever had with the dog. If you teach your dog over and over again that you cannot be trusted, the dog remembers. I don't think dogs love unconditionally-- I think humans often misinterpret doggy behaviors as expressions of love.

 
Well, okay... you are right about that. My post was a bit muddled, what can I say, it was a little too early in the morning for me. But even though your long-term relationship with a dog matters, at the same time they take a cumulative view I guess - not keeping score of every misstep you make as some humans are wont to do - but forgiving the mistakes or grumpy moments from humans they trust.

Oh, mudpuppy I do disagree with you and for the record it is two times now.  Fosters do very well in my home because of the freedom and little expectations I have.  My approach is basically “here#%92s what I got now lets see what you do with it”.  Invariably, the dog “gets” the house rules by observations, routines, following the pack, and some direction from me.  I intentionally keep an emotional distance because the dog will be leaving to go to a permanent home…or, I at least try to control the degree of bond.  What happens with every single dog is they initiate the closeness or attempt to strengthen the bond.  They will follow me around, be at my feet, constantly have their eye on me, and exaggerate every bonding gesture.  I think that if a dog learned to not trust me he would be resilient, as Jones very well put it, and give me the benefit of the doubt.  I know that a dog gives unconditional love because I see it time after time the unique behavior when my fosters are placed in a new home…it can only be equated with sorrow.

ORIGINAL: DPU
I intentionally keep an emotional distance because the dog will be leaving to go to a permanent home…or, I at least try to control the degree of bond.  What happens with every single dog is they initiate the closeness or attempt to strengthen the bond.  They will follow me around, be at my feet, constantly have their eye on me, and exaggerate every bonding gesture. 

DPU- The reason the dogs follow you around adoringly is that your aloof, calm behavior is very alpha. Dogs love a leader. In fact, one of the techniques that I've read about for acclimating an adult dog to your house is to be very distant from them at first, while taking care of their needs of course like feeding them and taking them out to potty. Not fawning all over them and being aloof sends them the message that you're in charge, which they respect. I've done it many times when I worked at animal shelters and when you act like that they flock to you like the salmon of capistrano. [] And of course your fosters will be sad when they go to their new home. You and your other dogs have become their pack and given them some security; it's only natural to not want to lose that.

Corvus- Very interesting post! I'm still mulling over all the points you made.

I appreciate their honesty and that they never lie about anything.  If they're happy to see me they tell me, if they don't want me to leave without them they tell me, if they don't like someone they tell me, if they don't like something I'm doing they tell me.  They don't hide things and talk about them to someone else.

No games, no nonsense, just honesty.  I appreciate that.

I do love my dog unconditionally... but I think the best part of our relationship is that it's uncomplicated. There's no need to explain or talk anything through, and our bond is renewed every day (every hour?), all mistakes and unpleasant moments buried in the past. Dogs give you the opportunity to start over, and over, and over. They're all about right now, which is refreshingly simple, and it's wonderful to have access to that way of life.

YES! My Cocker would follow any friendly stranger, especially if he wiggles a tennis ball around.

I think my can must be more loyal than my dog. She hates everyone, except me and my husband, even those who've taken care of her while we were gone... for 6 years! She still won't take a treat from anyone but us!