do i believe this?

yes i do. animals can do MORE than a toddler. things we cannot even fathom. smelling sickness (as in cancer). knowing when we are depressed (i don't know about you, but when i was sad or upset my dogs KNEW it. they'd seek me out and wouldn't leave me alone until i calmed down. then they were on their merry way).


p.s. I'VE MET WICKED STUPID DOGS too you know. just like humans, some are smarter than others

(and i don't think dogs can count)

Your family dog may be smarter than your toddler
By Doug Gross
CNN
Your dog may not actually be smarter than somebody's honor student -- popular bumper stickers aside. But your canine companion might well be smarter than their toddler, according to a growing body of research on how dogs think.

Using adapted tests designed for human children, psychologists have learned that average dogs can count, reason and recognize words and gestures on par with a human 2 -year-old.

"They may not be Einsteins, but are sure closer to humans than we thought," said Stanley Coren, a professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and leading researcher on dog behavior.

Coren planned to present his research Saturday at the American Psychological Association's annual convention in Toronto, Canada.,,,,,,,,,,