This is a sad thought I’ve been having and it almost brings tears to my eyes, but I just wonder.
I play with Sammy and Mac and we goof off and scratch and snuggle and have a good time. But do they miss their old families? Do they think about them? Remember them and want to see them again?
How can they not? If nothing else, they formed bonds with their old families and those bonds don’t ever go away.
Dogs seem to adjust so well to a new home. They really do. And in rescue, we often say it’s harder for the humans than it is for the dogs to adjust to living in a new home. Dogs live in the moment. But they have memories and feelings too.
What are they dreaming about? What are they thinking about? They don’t think in words like humans do, but they think. And even though they bond to me, and then will bond to their final families, still…. do they miss their old families? 🙁
[tags]collie rescue, collie, collies, foster, dog adoption, dog rescue[/tags]
I don’t know if cats are in comparison at all with dogs on this subject, but I often wonder about my cats like that. A couple weeks ago we “catsit” three of my cats brother and sisters. I sat there wondering for the longest time if they knew that they were related. Then again I was on good post op drugs, soooooooo 😉
I don't know if cats are in comparison at all with dogs on this subject, but I often wonder about my cats like that. A couple weeks ago we "catsit" three of my cats brother and sisters. I sat there wondering for the longest time if they knew that they were related. Then again I was on good post op drugs, soooooooo 😉
I don’t think they miss their old families. Dogs are such creatures of the moment, with such specialized memories. I’m sure they would recognize by sight or smell a former owner, but I think they transfer bonding as soon as new kindnesses (and food) are presented.
I don't think they miss their old families. Dogs are such creatures of the moment, with such specialized memories. I'm sure they would recognize by sight or smell a former owner, but I think they transfer bonding as soon as new kindnesses (and food) are presented.
I wonder about this alot myself. 4 of my dogs are rescues and I wonder what they think about. I know they are happy here and are in better situations than they were before. But I cant help wonder if they would rather be back in their own homes. Do they dream about their old lives?
I have kept in touch with Brutus and Rufus’s old mom and she has come to see them a couple of times. The first time they didn’t seem too impressed and really didn’t want anything to do with her which really hurt her feelings. She came back again about 6 months later and they were more interested in her and wanted attention and seemed happy. But all the while they kept looking at me for reassurance that things were OK.
Eris came from a puppy mill so I know she doesn’t miss her old life. As far as Hera is concerned… I have no idea what her past holds. I don’t know if some little boy or girl loved her and if she misses them dearly.
I wish they could talk people words so we would know for sure.
I wonder about this alot myself. 4 of my dogs are rescues and I wonder what they think about. I know they are happy here and are in better situations than they were before. But I cant help wonder if they would rather be back in their own homes. Do they dream about their old lives? I have kept in touch with Brutus and Rufus's old mom and she has come to see them a couple of times. The first time they didn't seem too impressed and really didn't want anything to do with her which really hurt her feelings. She came back again about 6 months later and they were more interested in her and wanted attention and seemed happy. But all the while they kept looking at me for reassurance that things were OK. Eris came from a puppy mill so I know she doesn't miss her old life. As far as Hera is concerned… I have no idea what her past holds. I don't know if some little boy or girl loved her and if she misses them dearly. I wish they could talk people words so we would know for sure.
I think Gracie thought she died and went to heaven when she came to me – and she acts like it’s ALL her heaven! But she was taken from a horrible situation and basically grew up wild for four months with about 70 other dogs, then was crated for 6 weeks straight – the nice thing is that even though she was never potty trained before she came to me, she sure didn’t want to go in the house! I don’t think she misses her ‘old’ life a bit – she’s enjoying her new one too much!
Johann – well he has bonded with me so tightly that I now worry if anything happened to me; how would he get along? I’ve actually gone as far as lining up a list of folks that could take him (and run agility with him) if I wasn’t around. People that would bond with him as tightly as I. Helps me cope. And I’ve started to investigate where his brother and sister were adopted to – I’d love to see if he remembers them…..
I think Gracie thought she died and went to heaven when she came to me – and she acts like it's ALL her heaven! But she was taken from a horrible situation and basically grew up wild for four months with about 70 other dogs, then was crated for 6 weeks straight – the nice thing is that even though she was never potty trained before she came to me, she sure didn't want to go in the house! I don't think she misses her 'old' life a bit – she's enjoying her new one too much! Johann – well he has bonded with me so tightly that I now worry if anything happened to me; how would he get along? I've actually gone as far as lining up a list of folks that could take him (and run agility with him) if I wasn't around. People that would bond with him as tightly as I. Helps me cope. And I've started to investigate where his brother and sister were adopted to – I'd love to see if he remembers them…..
Well sometimes philosophizing when on drugs is the best way to go! 🙂
Well sometimes philosophizing when on drugs is the best way to go! 🙂
In reply to Jan, Yes, they are creatures of the moment. I do like your point of view. 🙂
In reply to Jan, Yes, they are creatures of the moment. I do like your point of view. 🙂
Lora, your rescues are very lucky to have found you. 🙂 Maybe they dream about their old lives, but I bet they have happy dreams about their new lives with you.
Lora, your rescues are very lucky to have found you. 🙂 Maybe they dream about their old lives, but I bet they have happy dreams about their new lives with you.
Johann and Gracie are very lucky dogs to be with you. I LOVE to see rescues in agility, makes my heart melt. Chase was dumped at the shelter, probably because he was too unmanageable. I wish his old people could see him now. 🙂 I worry about Levi, too, if I were to die. We are so bonded. Hrm.
Johann and Gracie are very lucky dogs to be with you. I LOVE to see rescues in agility, makes my heart melt. Chase was dumped at the shelter, probably because he was too unmanageable. I wish his old people could see him now. 🙂 I worry about Levi, too, if I were to die. We are so bonded. Hrm.