Quote Originally Posted by eRock79 View Post
Not to really defend keeping animals this way, but do animals really think of life in a sense where they can be happy? Or do they just think in survival-ability? Meaning that they eat, drink, have a safe place from predators, and if/when the time comes, they can mate properly to pass on their genetics. I know that there are animals such as Elephants and Bison that have shown "emotion" when it comes to their dead and family, but are they showing emotion or just hanging around until they realize that the animal is no longer going to get up? I feel that there are many opinions on this matter, both expert and amateur. To each their own opinion as long as the animals are cared for properly and with utmost regard. Sorry to heat it up again, if I did.
Despite what some people believe animals do have emotions although not as dramatic as ours, but similar. When a dogs brother or sister dies and the sibling stops eating and starves itself to death or a Morning Dove loses its mate and sits next to the corpse of its life mate even when faced with imminent danger is sadness. They recognize and feel lose as do we. They feel happiness, but its not shown like a human emotion, but in their own way just as when they lose their young and feel the need to sacrifice themselves to protect the next generation. Those are not just empty instincts. Survival is number one, but many will give their life so that their young will live and I don't think that its only so that the species will survive or that the next generation is passed on, but from a primitive emotion.