> Or are we? I have just been listening to Radio 4, and was interested in the
> orangs. Sorry I can't be bothered to give the link, but hell if you look
> around, you'll find it if you want too.
> What I often wonder about is, why are we told, or seem to believe, that
> we (homo sapiens) are the only animal that have self awareness. (or is that
> self-conciousness, I think it amounts to the same thing). I am conscious (or
> aware) of myself, and I think most other animals are, too.
> Because I have never been to a university or anything, I tend to take a
> lot of notice of what educated people tell me. You surely must take notice
> of people who know more than you do. However, quite often, they get it
> wrong, and sometimes you just know you know better.
> For instance, I once read that dogs could not have 'wet dreams' and I
> believed it, until i witnessed Ben having one. It seems that a lot of people
> that are experts on dogs have never had one in their life, and they make the
> mistakes, that simple observation doesn't.
> I also read that we are the only animals that laugh and have a sense of
> humour. I found out ages ago, that wasn't true, simply by observing my
> animals. Dogs certainly have a sense of humour. I kept goats for some years,
> and there were a couple that I never bent over in front of, but Susan in
> particular, just used to wait for the chance to butt me. They only used the
> flat of there horns, (not the points) and when they got me (as they often
> did), I could almost hear them laughing. I also saw a crow that used to take
> the piss out of an old womens dog. She told me about it, one time I met her
> when we were both out walking our dogs. I didn't believe it, but she proved
> it, and it was halarious, The crow used to buzz the dog, but just kept high
> enough to avoid the dog jumping up and grabbing it. She seemed to caw with
> pure pleasure. She said it happened every time they went to that area. The
> crow never bothered my dog. Her dog must have tried to grab it at one time.
> Now this seems to be a long post, and it seems | am drunk (AGAIN) so I
> will pack it in now. I am a silly old bugger, and drunk as well. ;o)
> I wish every-one well,
> and let's hope we can all stay nice in spite of all the nastiness
> thats going on at the moment.
> Just ignore it all, if you can. ok?