Until recently, scientists have underestimated the emotional range of animals, but increasingly they are learning that mammals do experience primary emotions such as fear, sadness, anger and happiness. They even have secondary emotions such as jealously and embarrassment - and they communicate them.
When we smile our faces become pleasant and relaxed, with ears low, eyes half shut, lips soft and parted, and chin high. This is a dog smile.
Sometines we even laugh. That’s me laughing last weekend when we were playing in a meadow of flowers and mummy was chasing me.
Some dogs imitate human smiles. In the presence of human beings, these dogs will draw back their lips grotesquely to bare their teeth, making the same face as their owners make.
I know lots of dogs with a sense of humour and have even heard them laughing with a kind of huffing sound.
I laugh all the time and people often say what a happy little dog I am. There is just so much to laugh about in Mawson Lakes.
Here are some of the things that make me happy:
My morning walk around the lake when there are so many delicious new smells to examine. I run and laugh with joy.
Meeting my doggie friends and having a chat.
Running free in a meadow of flowers, especially when the grass is long and damp. (see photo in the wetlands).
Playing sticks with mummy in the park and playing ball up the hallway.
And, I love parties at home when visitors make a fuss of me, and of course, cuddles on the couch. What makes you laugh?
