Notes from a small dog: The dotted line…

Posted on November 23, 2017 by Sue Vincent

I am an animal. Therefore, I am not sentient…

I have no emotions.

I do not feel happiness…

… joy…

… or fear.

I have no curiosity, because I am not a sentient being.

I have no understanding of the finer emotions, like gentleness, or sharing.

No understanding of wonder, excitement…

…or hope.

I do not suffer when I am ill.

I need no comforting…

I cannot laugh…

…or be bored…

…and I have no sense of humour.

I feel no guilt…because I am not conscious of wrongdoing…

…and I cannot feel love.

My two-legs disagrees.

Under the current EU laws, animal sentience, and the existence of their feelings, is recognised and must be taken into full account as new laws and rulings are passed.

The UK government have quietly voted to exclude animal sentience from the laws being passed to define our nation as we leave the EU. Although the Animal Welfare Act of 2006 does offer some protection to domestic animals, it does not mention animal sentience, nor does it protect wild animals or those in laboratories from abuse..

There are many things wrong in the world today, affecting every level of society. Animals have only the voice we give them and humans are animals too.

There are a number of petitions being run to request the UK government to reconsider this decision. You can find one here on the 38 Degrees website.

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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138 Responses to Notes from a small dog: The dotted line…

  1. Bill Chance says:
    November 23, 2017 at 06:27

    Really nice post – love the photo of the dog in the snow.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Ritu says:
    November 23, 2017 at 06:29

    Of course they have feelings! They are living beings!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Fandango says:
    November 23, 2017 at 06:30

    You’ve captured in your photos everything anyone would need to see in order to be sure that dogs are sentient beings.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  4. Marilyn Armstrong says:
    November 23, 2017 at 06:32

    My non-sentient dogs are entirely on your side. We have the same issues nationally, though our state has better laws. In the states, how we treat animals is a local issue, so you need to be careful where you settle if you want to protect your creatures. I get so tired of humans and our arrogance. The human race exhausts me.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Sue Vincent says:
      November 23, 2017 at 07:46

      We should remember that humans are animals too… I sometimes wonder if our alleged superiority is only because we understand ourselves better than we understand other species… I can’t help thinking of Douglas Adams’ definition of the difference between humn and dolphins.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Michael says:
    November 23, 2017 at 06:55

    Perfect post. Signed.

    Like

    Reply
  6. Mr. Militant Negro says:
    November 23, 2017 at 07:01

    Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC says:
    November 23, 2017 at 07:14

    Great response to a hateful decision, Sue. Tink will be ringing in ere long as well.

    JUST IN CASE a bit of “scientific evidence” of animal emotion is needed, the recently deceased Jaak Panksepp, the father of Affective Neuroscience, “pioneered” the neuro-scientific underpinnings of both human **AND** animal emotional responses.

    He has written a fascinating book with a slightly daunting title, ‘The Archaeology of Mind: 
Neuroevolutionary Origins of Human Emotion’ – the results of his cruelty-free animal experiments that led to identifying what he calls the seven networks of emotion in the brain: SEEKING, RAGE, FEAR, LUST, CARE, PANIC/GRIEF, and PLAY.

    He says he uses all caps because these networks are “so fundamental that they have similar functions across species, from people to cats to rats.”

    NOT that the idiot politicians who voted recently would be able to digest science if force-fed with a funnel, anyone else interested in the “cliff notes” can find them by searching for [Is Activation “Seeking System” Dependent?] on my blog – an article written in waaay back in April, 2014.
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
    ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
    “It takes a village to educate a world!”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sue Vincent says:
      November 23, 2017 at 07:41

      I cannot believe this step backwards that opens the door to so much possible commercial abuse.

      There is now ust so much evidence to support the findings of sentience, even as we define it scientifically, let alone as we know it from personal interaction!

      I may know more about the research into dogs than many other species… for fairly obvious reasons…but I have met enough other species to be certain in my own mind that these are sentient beings.

      I have written before about the research conducted by Prof. Gregory Berns that used MRI, without restraint or drugs, to watch emotion in dogs’ brains and see how it compares to the human ‘benchmark’. There was a study
      by the universities of Lincoln and Sao Paulo that demonstrated a dog’s ability to read complex human emotions, the first time this has been observed -cross species except in primates. There is very littleroom for denial, but those making money will always find room… xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. davidprosser says:
    November 23, 2017 at 08:07

    Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Ani. There’s no doubt animals are sentient.
    xx Massive Hugs xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. KL Caley says:
    November 23, 2017 at 08:19

    That is a terrible decision! Great Post – displaying just how wide and varied and complicated animals are… Signed! KL ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. jenanita01 says:
    November 23, 2017 at 09:26

    Your lovely post is proof positive, if it were needed, that the people who run our country, shouldn’t be… I love the photo of Ani looking out of the window! She would make the perfect ambassador for this cause…I defy anyone to meet her and believe all that rubbish!
    (and that goes for all our furry friends too!)

    Like

    Reply
    • Sue Vincent says:
      November 23, 2017 at 09:39

      There are so many pictures I could have used… too many to choose from…all of them showing a sentient being eploring, enjoying and questioning her world. I love the pair of pictures where she gave the bay her best half-chewed and defluffed ball…so very gently and carefully… then retired to the door to watch him play…and wait for him to throw it 🙂
      I could have written (again) about how she knows which side of Nick works and which doesn’t… and how she plays with him so gently, while his brother is squashed, jumped on and played with with gusto.
      If this is not a sentient being, then I am not one either.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. The Story Reading Ape says:
    November 23, 2017 at 09:56

    I was appalled when I heard about this stupidity from our unfeeling politicians (maybe THEY are not the Sentient ones) – I’ve signed the petition and shared on Twitter & Facebook, Sue – I’ll reblog this post a little later today…

    Like

    Reply
    • Sue Vincent says:
      November 23, 2017 at 10:02

      The great god Mammon wins again…for now at least, though the backtracking and backside-covering has already begun.
      If animals are no longer legally sentient, where does that leave us? We too are animals… whether we care to remember it or not (though you do have a head start on that, O Hairy One 😉 ).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. The Story Reading Ape says:
    November 23, 2017 at 10:36

    Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
    UK CITIZENS – PLEASE BE AWARE:
    Under the current EU laws, animal sentience, and the existence of their feelings, is recognised and must be taken into full account as new laws and rulings are passed.
    The UK government have QUIETLY VOTED to EXCLUDE animal sentience from the laws being passed to define our nation as we leave the EU.
    Although the Animal Welfare Act of 2006 does offer SOME protection to domestic animals, it does not mention animal sentience, nor does it protect wild animals or those in laboratories from abuse..
    There are many things wrong in the world today, affecting every level of society, but Animals have ONLY the voice WE give them (and please don’t forget that humans are animals too).
    There are a number of petitions being run to request the UK government to reconsider this decision.
    Sue and Ani have provided a link to one, at the end of their post.
    Please sign the petition, and share / reblog Sue and Ani’s original blog post.
    THANK YOU…

    Like

    Reply
  14. IreneDesign2011 says:
    November 23, 2017 at 10:49

    Beautiful photos for a very sad case. I will vote against this, even I don’t live in UK. Animals are living and loving beings, just like us.

    Like

    Reply
  15. IreneDesign2011 says:
    November 23, 2017 at 10:53

    I did sign, but needed to find a legal post code inside UK, before they would accept my vote.

    Like

    Reply
  17. OIKOS™-Redaktion says:
    November 23, 2017 at 12:00

    Ani, you are so lovely. Dont look at the humans, live your own life. 😉

    Like

    Reply
  18. Giovannoni Claudine says:
    November 23, 2017 at 12:05

    Animals ARE sentient creatures! They are even a lot better of many hundred thousand or more humans… Animals never turn you their back… and the reason because I DO protect them, is because I believe that we all have to care for them, and I want to give the example! :-)claudine

    PS. these are such beautiful pictures….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. Mary Smith says:
    November 23, 2017 at 13:34

    Thanks for highlighting this, Sue. Off to sign the petition.

    Like

    Reply
  21. pensitivity101 says:
    November 23, 2017 at 13:49

    Reblogged this on pensitivity101 and commented:
    Reblogging this as a lot of my readers are dog lovers.

    Like

    Reply
  22. bobcabkings says:
    November 23, 2017 at 14:42

    “Definition of sentience
    1 : a sentient quality or state
    2 : feeling or sensation as distinguished from perception and thought”

    I think that leaves no room for doubt, Ani. You are a sentient being and Parliament needs to get a clue about that.

    Like

    Reply
  23. bobcabkings says:
    November 23, 2017 at 14:44

    Reblogged this on cabbagesandkings524 and commented:
    Sue and Ani have a difference of opinion with the current UK Govt., and wonderful photos to prove their point.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. Scottie says:
    November 23, 2017 at 15:17

    Reblogged this on Scotties Toy Box and commented:
    I have readers and viewers all over the world it seems. This is a great post and clearly show the feelings of animals and the reasons we humans bond with them. There is no need to be cruel, even for animals we wouldn’t normally consider, like food animals. They live also which means they feel. Be well. Hugs

    Like

    Reply
  25. Alethea Kehas says:
    November 23, 2017 at 15:41

    Reblogged this on Not Tomatoes and commented:
    Please sign the petition or another one like it:

    Like

    Reply
  26. annabellefranklinauthor says:
    November 23, 2017 at 15:51

    I wonder how long it’ll be before the government decides humans aren’t sentient. Apart from the rich and powerful ones, of course – there’s always some loophole for them.

    Like

    Reply
  27. watchingthedaisies says:
    November 23, 2017 at 16:34

    I so hope this is overturned. It is a shocking decision.

    Like

    Reply
  28. Nan says:
    November 23, 2017 at 17:13

    Excellent post — and the captions were perfect! Hoping your government gets over its stupidity.

    Like

    Reply
  29. annabellefranklinauthor says:
    November 23, 2017 at 17:24

    Reblogged this on The Literate Lurcher and commented:
    I know we’ve reblogged you recently. Ani, but you talk so much sense! We dogs are appalled by the human government’s decision that animals don’t have feelings, and your post speaks for all of us. We hope our readers will visit your blog, leave a comment and sign the petition.

    Like

    Reply
  30. whippetwisdom says:
    November 23, 2017 at 18:04

    Thank you for sharing this, how can anyone have faith in politicians who voted for this?

    Like

    Reply
  31. robbiesinspiration says:
    November 23, 2017 at 18:10

    A very powerful post, Sue. I hope the petitions are successful.

    Like

    Reply
  32. Woebegone but Hopeful says:
    November 23, 2017 at 18:33

    Excellent montage. Well done both of you.
    Says it all about this government, does it not?

    Like

    Reply
  34. herongrace says:
    November 23, 2017 at 20:35

    Fabulous photos, such a beautiful dog. Boy those laws need an overhaul.
    I am a passionate defender and protector of the wildlife here on my property and feel overwhelmed at times that the only voice animals have to state their case is ours.

    Like

    Reply
  35. Tina Frisco says:
    November 24, 2017 at 01:05

    Sue, I would sign this in a heartbeat if I lived in the UK (it wouldn’t accept my U.S. postal code). But I’ve shared across my social network pages. We humans are supposed to be the stewards of Mother Earth, not the annihilators ❤

    Like

    Reply
  37. dgkaye says:
    November 24, 2017 at 02:09

    Great narration from Ani, who has no feelings . . . ya right! What the heck is the matter with the people in this world????? You go Ani!!! ❤

    Like

    Reply
  38. Widdershins says:
    November 24, 2017 at 02:40

    Dear Small Dog, herewith be my feelings about such humans who did this … pbhthththehthth! (giant raspberry) … and this %$#$@&%#@^%#@# (lots of swearing)

    Like

    Reply
  39. macjam47 says:
    November 24, 2017 at 02:41

    A great post, Sue. I hope the people of the UK will be able to convince the lawmakers into changing their minds. Ani told the story perfectly.

    Like

    Reply
  40. Adele Marie says:
    November 24, 2017 at 11:03

    Reblogged this on firefly465 and commented:
    Sue Vincents heartfelt plea to you all to sign the petition to push some sense into our government who have lost the plot.

    Like

    Reply
  41. Adele Marie says:
    November 24, 2017 at 11:04

    I have signed and shared the petition at 38o I am so angry and sad, I can’t believe what they have done. Hopefully, the voice of the people will reverse this travesty. Praying that it does. xxx

    Like

    Reply
  42. trentpmcd says:
    November 24, 2017 at 14:55

    Ani expresses herself better than most people… I think some people in some governments are not sentient beings.

    Like

    Reply
  43. Judy E Martin says:
    November 24, 2017 at 20:04

    I will definitely be signing!

    Like

    Reply
  44. freiedenkerin says:
    November 24, 2017 at 20:55

    Sometimes I think that animals are much more sentient than we humans.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  45. memadtwo says:
    November 25, 2017 at 03:40

    I think as far as our governments are concerned, most of us are non-sentient.
    Trump is the first president not to have shared his life with animals in my memory. I cannot even imagine it. Of course I would definitely exclude him from humanity…(K)

    Like

    Reply
  46. patriciaruthsusan says:
    November 25, 2017 at 10:19

    Well, I guess Ani showed them. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Like

    Reply
  47. Lynette d'Arty-Cross says:
    November 25, 2017 at 15:47

    Your post is a tribute to their sentience. Well done!

    And your government quietly passing that legislation. Oh my. They were sneaky about it because they knew there would be a lot of disagreement. Good luck with your petition – I’m rooting for you.

    Like

    Reply
  48. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. says:
    November 26, 2017 at 09:37

    Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    If there is one post that you as an animal lover should read today it is this one. From Sue Vincent and the little black dog Ani… you will get it without me explaining anything.. #recommended

    Like

    Reply
  49. barbtaub says:
    November 26, 2017 at 10:08

    Reblogged this on Barb Taub and commented:
    No words needed.

    Like

    Reply
  50. ravenhawks magazine says:
    November 27, 2017 at 05:06

    Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
    Nice Photos of Ani, they speak volumes about animals feelings.

    Like

    Reply
  51. olganm says:
    November 28, 2017 at 20:38

    Signed. Thanks, Ani and Sue.

    Like

    Reply
  52. itsgoodtobecrazysometimes says:
    December 6, 2017 at 10:10

    Reblogged this on Its good to be crazy Sometimes and commented:
    I know I am late to this one, but I debated whether to post this, as the wording of the bill is a little squiffy, however, having about as much trust in this government as making tea in a chocolate teapot, I don’t think they will do anything to change it and this will be another thing that goes under the radar.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  53. urban liaisons says:
    December 6, 2017 at 10:39

    Just to add, the human species is belonging biologically to the socalled “Greater Apes” like the orang-utans, gorillas or chimpanzees. Most people forget and ignore this fact, and that is the destructive “rational” way nature in general is treated all around the world.

    Like

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