<p>Our 13.5 year old lab has taken to sprawling out on the floor right in the main traffic areas. I was walking by her on the way into the kitchen and accidentally hit her soundly in the face with my foot. Of course, I bent down and cooed loudly several times to her that I was so sorry, patted her affectionately, and finally gave her a big hug. She seems okay.</p>
<p>Do you think dogs or cats or other domesticated animals understand the concept of accidents and remorse? Or are they completely confused about these kinds of events?</p>
<p>I think they totally get it, as long as it isn’t something that happens all the time. Both of my dogs like to get underfoot all the time (watch out when you’re going down the stairs). But if I step on them, one of them will yelp and look at me indignantly, as if she’s thinking, “Well after that, you’d better feed me something good!” The other one will yelp, and then instantly sidle up to me apologetically, as if she’s saying, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, my fault!” Such different personalities.</p>
<p>Our dogs are rescues. Our youngest came from a golden retreiver rescue. On her first night here she almost had an accident. I said a sharp no. And she went down on all fours and started to shake. I started to pet her and talked to her quietly. She now knows that no means stop…not a beating. She is so protective of us. so…I will say that your dog probably understands what happened and knows that you love her…she may have to learn to move when you two are together.</p>
<p>I think pets know. I think they can be sorry, too. Whenever anyone falls off my horse he walks up to them reaaaaaal slow with his head down. He doesn’t go back to normal until he sees you get back up and pat him. I fell once and was in the hospital for a while and couldn’t come back to the barn for weeks. Ever since then he is always on his best behavior when I ride, even years later. He knows.</p>
<p>Yes, I think dogs know you are sorry. Especially if sorry involves food!</p>
<p>We had a lab forever, and he liked to lay smack in the middle of everywhere, it got worse as he aged. I think he was too tired to follow us, and was splitting the difference. They are the best dogs.</p>
<p>I agree that dogs get it when you’re sorry. I think they are fairly astute about human emotion. One day I was sitting on my patio having tea with a friend, and she and I started talking about something in her life that made her get a bit teary. My Lab had been lying peacefully during our conversation until it turned sad. When my friend’s voice started to crack a bit, the dog got up, went over to her and put his head in her lap. We truly feel he was attempting to comfort her. It worked.</p>
<p>Dogs are the best. Of course they forgive us. Sadly, they even think the best of those who treat them less than kindly.</p>
<p>I can’t watch the Sarah McLaughlin commercials or the ASPCA ones. I have two rescued dogs and would have more if I could. My dog who died two years ago was a lot like yours, moonchild (he may have been part Lab, actually). He was so tuned into people’s voices and body language and would always try to console anyone who didn’t seem happy.</p>
<p>I once stepped on the tail of S’s private music teacher’s cat by accident. This happened when S went to a “group lesson” when he was in the elementary school. The room’s not large, and there were half a dozen kids and two cats were roaming the room most of the time. I think I accidentally stepped on her tail when I tried to move closer to the wall to make more room for these kids.</p>
<p>I felt very bad about this accident at that time.</p>
<p>I have had cats that would jump onto your lap or bed if you were crying, purring and snuggling. </p>
<p>They can be just as affectionate and insightful into our feelings, imo. My current cat is just the sweetest, most loving cat I’ve ever had. I’ve seen her groom my lab’s face before. That was a cute image.</p>