Barwood Grad Research Assignment: Discussion Questions on Article or Essay

Article 1
Article 2
How do we explain these phenomena?
Idea 1: Dogs are pack-oriented and they rely on each other for survival. When the pack leader dies, the dogs feel unstable and lost. The dog may have not realized that he could defend himself without his owner and therefore was stuck in a state of defeat or inadequacy.
Idea 2: The dog was truly guarding the man’s body from predators. Coyotes would have eaten him if the dog hadn’t stuck around.
Idea 3: It is possible that the dog was mourning the loss of his pack leader. Perhaps the dog was truly suffering from depression because his companion and provider was gone.
I believe the explanation lies within both idea 1 and 3.


How does society impact or influence our view of the wild and pets?
People throughout the world relate to animals on the basis of such factors as their society, culture, and personal values.
“Economics is a strong influence on a society's value of animals, she said. For instance, the human-animal bond is stronger in prosperous nations such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and England. Because their basic needs are satisfied, citizens in those countries have disposable income to provide for veterinary care and can contemplate the moral value of animals.
In less-developed countries where food, education, and health care are scarce, animals will be valued more for their utility” (Dr. Bonnie V. Beaver).
For many, pets are family members. But for others, they are disposable and have no value whatsoever.
For many Americans, pets are seen as humans. We give them human status, emotions, facial expressions, food, and sometimes human rights. We are so quick to see pets as people and when we do that, we undermine their needs as animals.