Need a Sweetheart this Valentine's Day? Adopt a Furry Valentine from DeKalb Animal Services, and Learn the Real Meaning of True Love!

Nobel Prize winner and poet Anatole France said it best: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”

If you have a pet, you probably know that they love you and don’t judge you, and you’ve likely read that they have many positive effects on physical and mental human health. However, recent canine brain research also suggests that dogs love us in a way that’s more human than we’ve ever thought possible.

Scientists at Emory University trained dogs to lie still in an MRI machine and then measured the neural responses they had to the aromas of various humans and canines. They found that whenever dogs smelled the scent of their humans or even saw their humans return from another room, the caudate nucleus or “reward center” of their brains lit up.

Scientists also found increased activity in regions of dogs’ brains associated with attachment and empathy, and they found dogs’ had a “theory of mind” in response to their owners. A “theory of mind” is a belief system about what others think and is continually updated in the brain. This means that dogs apparently wonder what their owners are thinking about.

According to the scientist responsible for the research, Gregory Berns, the scans showed that the dogs’ ability to experience positive emotions, like love and attachment, mean that dogs have a level of sentience comparable to that of a human child. And that this ability suggests a rethinking of how we treat dogs.

Other studies conducted by researchers at the University of London tested dogs’ understanding of human emotions. They placed dogs individually in a room with a person who was crying, another who was talking and another who was humming. They found that each dog was much more likely to approach and then submit to someone who was crying. According to the researchers, the dogs’ response to weeping wasn’t the result of curiosity, but was based on a primitive understanding of human emotions.

What does all this research mean to you? It means that dogs (and many cats) can provide you with a lifetime of true love, in addition to undying devotion and adoration, so why not bring some love into your life by adopting a pet from DeKalb County Animal Services (DCAS)? Now is a great time, because LifeLine Animal Project, the nonprofit that manages DCAS, is running a promotion called “My Furry Valentine.” During the month of February, you may adopt any dog or cat, ages six months and up, from DCAS for only $14! This adoption fee includes the pet’s spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip and more!

DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week: Jackson

One of the amazing dogs you can adopt for only $14 is Jackson. This cuddly two-and-a-half year old boy is very gentle and well-behaved. Jackson enjoys cuddling and snuggling with staff, going for walks and playing with other dogs. Because of his sweet demeanor, this cute boy is a staff favorite. If you adopt him, he will love you forever and brighten your life! Jackson will make a wonderful companion for some lucky person. To meet Jackson, please drop by the shelter, email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165. To view other great animals available for adoption, visit www.dekalbanimalservices.com. All potential adopters will be screened to ensure Jackson goes to a good home.