Do Dogs Really Only Live In The Moment?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I keep reading that dogs only live in the moment, and they really don't remember what's happened in the past. I've often wondered about that. Here's a video of a dog welcoming home his soldier "Dad" from Afghanistan. Certainly appropriate for the day after Veterns Day. Clearly, this dog remembered! This video brought tears to my eyes. Here's the link....
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/40324

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

OH that was so good...and I had such a good cry too....nope I don't think dogs live in the moment.

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

Oh my!!! Some of those dogs actually sound like they are crying!! Totally heart-wrenching. how much more obvious could it be that our dogs DO remember.

[Michele Barton]

Thanks so much for posting this, except now I'm all blotchy from crying my eyes out!

[Karen & Lucy]

Really nice videos.

[LINDA & TEDDY]

Absolutely! Dogs do remember their family and friends. They can find their way home. They remember words (go for ride in the car, get your bunny, ball, alligator, etc) I am sure that your doodle has many words, people and things that he remembers. All that is quite different from living in the moment.

Living in the moment means that they do not sit and ponder (where is my ball?, where is mommy?) They enjoy time and events as they come. They sleep, sit, watch, play in the moment. They let you know when they are hungry, need to go outside etc. because those are immediate needs but there is no planning ahead. They are in the moment. I hope this helps.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I absolutely think they remember people positively or negatively on at least some level if not via a thought process.

[Holly Doodle]

Oh my gosh those are so awesome! I have to email this one out....:)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Did you see all of those? I just watched them all and they made me so happy. Dogs are great.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I agree with Adina. Repeated behaviors (like Adina's example) leads to anticipation of that consequence/outcome. Kind of like training - Peri probably thinks to herself "mom said stay, usually if I do that, I think I get a treat...better do it" but probably doesn't remember an actual event like this. But they definitely remember their FAMILY! Oh yes! My sister left for Peace Corps - her dog stayed with my mom and dad for months. Of course, they put Chuck in the car to pick her up at the airport, mentioned her name, he wagged that tail, and licked her all over when she arrived home.

[Paul & Michele]

What a great video!! I think dogs remember better than people!!