Re: Do animals love their kids?
Exactly Pysah…that is what I was going to ask TLK as well
LOVE = ??
I am sure if you ask several psychologists, they will explain it
differently.
And if you look at Islamic view, Love is defined as well.
Islamically speaking love in human beings has protection, care, provision, jealousy, sincerity, reward all built in.
However, Allah’s Love is considered pure and does not demand reward.
Similarly animal love is also defined through narrations of the prophet s.a.w.
I believe animals have love for their offspring, mates, and caring masters who provide them food and care.
However, the aspect of LOVE that we as humans are taught to acquire and possess, is THE virtue that is supposed to separate us from Animals. That aspect is the virtue of self sacrifice. Animals don’t normally display that charateristic. When they do, such as in the case of dogs who defend their master against attackers etc. is rare and quite extraordinary.
Here is a nice article that discusses this topic in relation to a sheep.
http://therealowner.com/pets/raising-pets-why-some-animals-abandon-their-young/