Why Dogs Smile and Chimpanzees Cry

I saw a wonderful documentary on PBS recently. It is narrated by Sigourney Weaver and it looks at the possibility that animals have emotions similar to humans. They look at the scare factor, animals knowing when there is danger and reacting by running away and fleeing. To support the theory that animals have feelings, fright is a powerful response.

One wildlife film maker spent several months following a herd of elephants in Africa. The matrioch had a baby boy elephant, but the film crew was sad when they saw that this little baby elephant was not standing up on all fours. He was sort scuffing around on his knees. His front legs seem to not be able to support him. Right after his birth the mother would try to get him up on his feet over and over but the poor boy didn't have enough strength to do it. The filmmakers were so upset thinking that this baby elephant would eventually get an infection in his front legs and die.

The herd was moving out, they needed to get to the watering hole. The baby elephant was about 2 days old at this point. The mother also had a older baby, a girl and sister to the new elephant. The herd moved out and the mother was trying very hard to get the baby up and moving!! The baby was upset, crying out at his mother's persistent prodding. The sister was leaving she was going with the rest of the herd to the watering hole. BUT, she couldn't leave!! It showed her walking with the rest of the herd, but always looking back to her mother and brother. The baby boy cried out and the sister could not bear it!! She RAN back to her mother and brother yelling the whole way! The rest of the herd moved on and left the family behind. The mother and daughter tried, putting both trunks up and under the baby boy's belly, trying to lift him up. They would walk a few steps to try and get to the watering hole, stop and wait for the boy to catch up. It made me in such awe to see these large animals caring so much for their young!

Around the 4th day after the boy's birth, he started to rock up on his front feet. He just kept rocking and rocking, gathering strength in his legs. Sure enough, he was up on all fours and had the strength to now walk correctly! They concluded that his mother's womb was too cramped for him and his front legs never were able to stretch out until after his birth. Bravo for the mother!! She never left him alone, bravo for his sister who was one of his biggest helpers!

Ok now for the funny part!!!! I have two children, my first born a girl and second child a boy. Ricky has had trouble with his gross motor skills. He has had occupational therapy for years. He runs and falls constantly. Poor boy! We started a walking program recently and I am so reminded of the momma and sister elephant, coaching our little boy along!! Come on Ricky, keep up with us!!! The poor boy has had two "mothers" since he was born!!!!