There aren’t many things on this planet that feel as pure and wholesome as dogs. These furry, four-legged companions hardly have to try to melt our hearts—sometimes all they need to do is simply exist. Still, it doesn’t hurt that they also have the biggest, cutest eyes, the most uplifting barks, and bellies made for endless rubs.
With all that going for them, it’s no surprise they also make some of the best meme material out there. Dogs have a special talent for making any moment brighter, no matter what’s happening in the photo. The aptly named Facebook group Doge Is Life proves that perfectly. Scroll down to see their hilarious posts and add a little extra sunshine to your feed.
That’s where a more intriguing idea comes in. In 2005, researchers conducted an experiment that measured how dogs’ brains reacted to different scents. They exposed dogs to the scent of their owner, the scent of a stranger, and the scent of food. When dogs smelled their owner, the area of the brain linked to positive emotions lit up most strongly. The response looked strikingly similar to what we associate with love in humans.
In another experiment, dogs watched as a stranger treated their owner rudely. Later, when given a choice, the dogs noticeably avoided the rude stranger. That kind of behavior points to emotional awareness and loyalty that goes beyond basic instincts.
