I have observed an interesting phenomenon in the wild whereby animals in the wild like wildebeest and zebras interact like close relatives. They can be seen grazing together and generally existing in perfect harmony. This has also been observed in the bird family but with some odd exceptions like when birds of prey swoop on chicks. There are also cases in this regard where you find dogs and cats existing like bosom friends since they have been together from their formative days. In most cases where the pets come from the same species, harmony is only assured if their feeding habits correlate like invid case of ducks and chicken or if view have a symbiotic relationship like in the case of birds which follow cattle to pick ticks off their backs.
When it comes to interaction with other animals, our dogs are surely anti-social. They chase even the birds in the garden so when our dogs are in the front yard (we let them loose there for some time regularly) there are no birds around. But in fairness to our dogs, they are quite friendly with the lizards inside our house. They don't chase the lizards and just ignore them. There was a time when we had a pet pigeon inside the house and that winged pet blended with the dogs.
(07-16-2016, 11:04 PM)remnant Wrote: [ -> ]They can be seen grazing together and generally existing in perfect harmony.
Well I would say that there is certainly an element of feeding patterns being similar and symbiotic relationships forming with a certain form of upbringing, but I would also like to leave some room for altruism. Ever since I was a child I have always had an eye for altruism, and I try to notice in as much as possible and use those examples to inspire me. When it comes to stories and entertainment this really translates for me too, where I will actively seek out examples of altruistic animals in nature It is fascinating to me, always has been and from all accounts it always will be. In today's worl there are few thing that provide comfort, and seeing altruistic behavior in the wild in one of those things for me. That is why I just wanted to leave a little room for it in your explanation, because it just makes me feel good. Thank you for sharing.