this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2024
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aww

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[–] [email protected] 98 points 7 months ago (4 children)

Take a moment and think about the fact that, in the wild, another animal handling your babies is a great way to lose them, so the vast majority of animals have evolved to be protective of their young.

Now think about how much it means that dogs let humans handle their babies.

[–] [email protected] 44 points 7 months ago

I've forgotten the name of the paper but I read a fairly in-depth report on human/dog co-evolution and how it has ingrained an instinctual understanding into each other even as little more than babies for both species.

[–] [email protected] 38 points 7 months ago (1 children)

We also tend to share our babies with dogs. My sister has recently had skin dogs and my fur babies are very interested in standing by the bassinet and watching over them. They're also extremely patient with their flailing hands and curious fingers.

While the reasons why aren't all peachy, and much of the framework it happens in is incredibly abusive and horrible, what humans and dogs share is very beautiful.

My dog recently broke her leg, she was screaming in terrible pain, but she went dead silent when we arrived and started investigating. That level of trust is incredible. I don't know exactly what's going on in her head, but I know that when something is wrong and I show up to help her breathing calms and she relaxes. Just as when I think I hear something in the night or whatever I look to her for guidance on whether it's a threat.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago

skin dogs

I understand how you meant this, but my brain definitely came up with a terrifying mental image.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

Meh, dogs have been selectively bred for millennia to bring things to people. They're also completely dependent on humans not only for nutrition, but also probably in this case behavioural guidance.

It's not so much "here human I trust you so much I'll let you hold my baby" as it is "here human this smells important".

[–] [email protected] 29 points 7 months ago
[–] [email protected] 20 points 7 months ago

Lovely pups, how sheeny are those coats... 😍

[–] [email protected] 20 points 7 months ago

When I was finished making "squee!" noises, I took my phone around to show each member of my household so they could also make "squee!" noises.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 7 months ago

}set squee -on

[–] [email protected] 14 points 7 months ago

That dog looks like a puppy itself.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 7 months ago

This is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen

[–] [email protected] 10 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Beautiful doxies. I have 3, they're such amazing creatures.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 7 months ago

I have one myself! She is probably half doxie, but definitely has the personality.

And a heart on her butt.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

10 pounds of crazy in a 1 pound bag.

It’s usually the good kind of crazy when they’re not picking fights with a bear and leaving you to deal with it.

I miss mom’s runt; she was always up for a camping trip- and a snuggle.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago