How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Wag My Tail...

A very interesting article in yesterday's New York Times covers the science of tail wagging.

Like humans and many other animals, it's documented that dogs use their left brains for "approach and energy enrichment" - this is the term used when trying not to pin "human" emotions such as love, attachment, safety, and calm on other animals. The right brain is used for "withdrawal and energy expenditure" to cover emotions such as fear, depression, and sense of fleeing.

With the left brain controlling movements on the right side of our bodies and the right brain controlling movements on the left side of our bodies, scientists and veterinarians in Italy have now documented that these emotions are reflected in a dog's tail wagging.

When they see us as pet parents, a dog's tail will wag more to the right, reflecting the safety they're feeling in their left brains. When they see something to be wary of, such as an unfamiliar, dominant dog, their tails wag more to the left, reflecting fear.

Chocolate and Lily

Chocolate's tail was, sadly, cropped before he became part of our family, but I plan to make a visit to see Lily, the golden retriever pictured on the left, who will definitely let me know the scoop with her very lovely, long waggy tail.

I love stuff that enables us to get to know our pets better and different ways we can communicate. I hope you enjoy this as well...