Animals exhibit actions that require reason

By Keith Ross | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, January 5, 2008

Welcome back to the bark side of life here in Ottertail where the New Year festivities are over, the noise makers and funny hats are on the kitchen counter, and the resolutions have all been made.

The temperamental winds of winter still blow cold and hard across the highways but we endure them anyway. Do we have any other choice? Isn't it that way with our lives too? Change is inevitable, they say, but how we approach those decisions is entirely up to us. You are probably wondering where I'm going with this line of reasoning.

As it is with us, many times it is the same with our four- and two-legged friends. Let me explain. This year, the contest I'm starting has to do with reason. When humans are faced with situations that require choice, they reason their way through it and come out with a logical solution. When certain animals are faced with situations that need logical reasoning, many times they come up with some pretty amazing results.

This contest will challenge the contestant's ability to present their case as to why their pets exhibit reasoning skills or how they rely solely upon instinct. The contest is called “Instinct vs. Logic.” Write to me in whatever manner suits you best and I shall publish your “tale” in the paper. Remember, we tell tales here. With that being said, let me share an instance or two that depicts exactly what I mean.

I've written about my rather large female German Shepherd, Lara Mee, and how she is by my side when I write this column. I have an additional partner these days when I sit down in front of my computer. Her name is Princess Cora and she is the only pup from this last litter that we are keeping as a “Rosswood Girl.” Except for a splash of tan on the inside of her legs, she is jet black and one pretty young lady. She has been the understudy of her grandmother, Lara Mee, and she has learned a few of the 10-year-old momma dog's tricks.

Lara Mee climbs the stairs from the garage to the large room above it to visit me and receive a treat or two for her efforts. Cora does the same thing and is by my side as I attempt to make sense as I type. One of the sure signs of a dog's ability to reason is to play dumb.

Lara Mee opens doors to go outside and also opens them to return to a much warmer (or cooler in the summer) environment. But when my wife or I stand there with her waiting for her to show us her ability, she just stands there and tries her best to look clueless.

Cora will climb the stairs when she is alone, but when another pup is standing there next to her, she looks at the steps as if it was the first time she has seen them. She doesn't want or need any competition in getting attention from the big guy — that's her domain and she isn't into sharing it either.

I've written about how there is a lot of bone stealing going on around here and it is certainly good entertainment (cheap too). The latest maneuver Cora has developed is the bait and switch scheme. Knowing her grandmother to be a bone or biscuit thief, Cora has reasoned out a plan that allows her to sneak in and purloin one of Lara Mee's ill-gotten booty. After the dogs all have been fed, yours truly rewards them with a biscuit or some kind of low-calorie treat.

Cora will take her prize and prance around the garage with her treat for all to see (especially grandmomma) and then drops it near Lara Mee for her to snatch it up. With cunning and guile, Cora slips into Lara Mee's kennel and picks out a bone of her choosing and then heads upstairs or back to her kennel. Meanwhile, the older dog chomps merrily away on a biscuit she thinks she has obtained by outsmarting the much younger (but not so innocent) pup.

You tell me — Are these instinctual behaviors or are these two canines exhibiting the power of reason? I vote for the latter.

Now, it's your turn to send in a tale that makes your case for either theory. You can do that by e-mailing me at info@rosswoodkennels.com or write me at Keith Alan Ross, Richville, MN 56576. You may phone me at 218-495-2195 if you are shy about writing your tale. I'll do my best to represent your point of view in the most accurate way. As always, let's have fun with this.