Animal Emotions and Intelligence

In "What the Animals Tell Me," Sonya Fitzpatrick describes numerous psychic experiences with animals. In her anecdotes, she describes animals as surprisingly intelligent and emotionally complex. They're a lot like people in animals' bodies. During her sessions, animals remember events from long past. They experience and vocalize emotions and reflect on their feelings. Other psychics tell similar stories. According to pet psychics, animals are conscious, self-aware and able to think and experience emotions the way humans do.

“Mother is the word for God on the hearts and lips of all little children” ..William Makepeace Thackeray

" We don't necessarily think about the consequences of our love. If we are experiencing an unhealthy form of love, harming ourselves and possibly others around us, we may still crave that love while actively ignoring the consequences. We don't think about how to love as much as we think about how to feel about being in love. It's an interesting conundrum." (Rebecca McCarthy)

Reminded me of a book I read last summer, "The Thorn birds" by Colleen McCullough, A love story adapting a theme as the metaphor, a silent bird who never sings until the moment of its death. The thorn bird leaves its nest in fierce pursuit of the thorn tree; it does not rest until it has fulfilled its final quest. When it reaches the thorn tree, it impales itself on the thorn, even though it knows it will die. It cannot resist the instinct...Then sings a song, even more beautiful than the nightingale.

Hello Everyone, 
My name is Sandy Jaeger, I have my degree in Culinary Arts, and am finishing my bachelor's in Hospitality Management. My goals within the next five years, include opening a Bed&Breakfast, and perhaps getting a Masters in Hospitality, or maybe even a PHD. My objective for my blog, is to investigate what emotional intelligence is and its relation to love. To show our goals should include success in love. I would like people to realize how they love, will carry on in future generations. I often hear of people who have passed on, and someone will say, "He was such a good Father," or "She sure did love animals," or perhaps, " That old man has passed, and his kids act just like him, always kicking the dog." I want to show that you teach your children how to love, just like you teach them how to read, or ride a bike. Love doesn't come with a syllabus, you have to create your own, just like a teacher; because you are one. People will always remember how you loved, or didn't.
You can reach me at  www.sandyjaeger.blogspot.com or sndyjaeger@yahoo.com

Animal Abuse in Families Is another indicator of the lack of emotional intelligence & love:
Because dogs and cats are considered part of the family in most households, when a
family member becomes abusive, it is logical to assume that the pet, as the weakest
member of the family, may become a victim of that violence. When animal cruelty
co-occurs with spousal or child abuse, the abuser may use violence against animals as a
means of further terrorizing his or her human victims. Women who are abused often stay
in destructive situations due to threats against or concern for their companion animals.
Abusers can manipulate and control their human victims through threatened or actual
violence against beloved family pets. Killing a cherished companion animal can be an act
of revenge; it also can be a way of removing an important source of comfort and love, an
act that further isolates the abused.(Humane Society)

How do you Love your Pet? Do you play with them, or let them play by themselves?