A Dog Without Remorse
I recently watched an episode of Nova titled, “What Are Animals Thinking?“
One question asked was if dogs really feel shame when giving that famous “guilty look?”
Is Rumpy remorseful?
The answer? No.
Indeed, Rumpy has never felt remorse for his actions, because in his mind he’s done nothing he should feel sorry for.
Counter-surfing? Scarfing treats? Chewing on a shoe? Nah, he’s not the least bit sorry.
But he has learned to give me a look that I want to see. A look that I perceive as remorseful.
I have decided that is one of his most endearing qualities.
I like how Rumpy lives in the moment. How when he wants something, he goes for it. I like how he doesn’t let social convention keep him from going for what he wants. Rumpy lives by the adage that it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.
Rumpy lives by Carpe diem
And I hope one day to live by the same philosophy.
November 12, 2012 at 1:05 AM
animals are so good at that ‘look’! slinky will show that look when i have to use my ‘sharp,mommy does not like the claws drawing blood’ voice. it’s not really sharp or loud though,just a tone i only use when he slaps his paws/claws at me while hissing
i wish i could live in the moment the way our little guys and girls do.
November 12, 2012 at 7:50 AM
Perhaps we will, if only we allow them to teach us how it’s done.
November 12, 2012 at 1:44 AM
Looking forward to the photos of you counter-surfing and chewing on shoes
Sorry, the images just rushed through my brain there. Seriously, I agree, I wish people could live in the moment and care less about what others think.
November 12, 2012 at 7:51 AM
In all fairness to Rumpy, he’s not chewed up a shoe in several years. But he does like to chew boxes, especially tissue boxes.
November 12, 2012 at 8:34 AM
Oh boxes are the BEST – Litchi LOVES them.
November 12, 2012 at 2:21 AM
Remorse? Ha! Just disappointment when they get caught
November 12, 2012 at 7:52 AM
Rumpy isn’t disappointed in getting caught. He’s disappointed in my reaction.
November 12, 2012 at 2:27 AM
We can learn a lot from our pets. You’re right, they really ‘live in the moment’ and they never have to feel guilt or regret because of it.
November 12, 2012 at 7:52 AM
If only I could do that sometimes.
November 12, 2012 at 3:04 AM
http://catforsley.me/2012/11/12/a-little-more-happiness-cat-forsley/
xx if Dede wants a vid — 
let me know xxx C
remember who woofs u
November 12, 2012 at 3:58 AM
Well Rumpy, you have living in the moment down to a fine art!!
November 12, 2012 at 7:53 AM
I know how to get things done! woo woo woo!
November 12, 2012 at 5:02 AM
I love giving the sad-face, too, Rumpy. It works every time. It makes whatever we did less “bad” than it really was, and makes our parents feel better.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
November 12, 2012 at 7:53 AM
Yes, but it’s not because we’re remorseful. We’re just giving some comfort to an upset human.
November 12, 2012 at 5:23 AM
Us doggies are only sorry we get caught BOL
November 12, 2012 at 5:51 AM
Good for you Rumpy (and Jen)….after all, life is pretty darn short and we all should “go for it” when we can. After all, we’re only human (hahahahahahaha)!!
Kitty Hugs and giggles, Sammy
November 12, 2012 at 5:52 AM
Rumpy seems one “slick kat”. He has trained his master well.
November 12, 2012 at 6:11 AM
Dakota DOES feel remorse. When he has done something and knows i am upset, he will bend over backwards coming over to me trying to seek my forgiveness with many, many licks
November 12, 2012 at 6:45 AM
Is that out of remorse, or a desire to please you? If you’d like to watch the episode of NOVA, it’s online at the link above.
November 12, 2012 at 6:30 AM
Rumpy, your loving in the moment is something we all need to learn
We have left am award for June Buggie and she can share with you other cats
http://tylersat99.com/2012/10/14/saturday-update
November 12, 2012 at 6:45 AM
That’s why Bach was scared of things I hold. He was chewing boots when he was young. He didn’t know chewing boots is bad, and doesn’t know it until today. No remorse. He stopped chewing boots, because he lost interest in that hobby. But he learned that something is wrong when I hold something and show it to him. I know dogs forget after 2 seconds what they have done. If the reaction doesn’t come immediately he won’t know how the situation could be in relation with him at all. So I was stupid enough to think, showing him the boot would make him remember. One day I was holding something else in my hand and he got scared and ran away. Remorseful look. Bad me. It took me around a year to show him that holding things is not a bad situation, nothing to fear and that all is okay. Nowadays I can show him things and he only does a happy dance because I interact with him and he likes my attention. All is fine again.
November 12, 2012 at 7:33 AM
It’s great that dogs are just themselves, nothing more, I think it’s what makes us love them so much!
November 12, 2012 at 7:38 AM
Exactly! And in the process dogs teach humans much about themselves.
November 12, 2012 at 7:46 AM
I liked the post, we could all learn from our pets and animals of the world… (*_*)
November 12, 2012 at 7:54 AM
I promise you that Rumpy was not the least bit upset during this past presidential election. I should be so laid-back and confident.
November 12, 2012 at 7:57 AM
Me, too! I like the way how Rumpy lives and the word ” Carpe Diem” !!! If humans could live like Rumpy does….
November 12, 2012 at 8:25 AM
Makes sense. When Sephi chewed up a bunch of my books while I wasn’t home did she go off to her bed, sigh remorsefully, and dread the moment I would get home and find the mess? I very much doubt she gave it a second thought. It wasn’t until I got home and put that tone in my voice that she started the supposedly remorseful behavior.
November 12, 2012 at 8:36 AM
I think dogs react to you; not the bad behavior. They perceive your anger or frustration and the guilty look is because they know you are upset. Even though Rumpy may not perceieve what he did as wrong; or understand the issue; he probably knows that some things upset you; but I doubt if he thinks about that when he is misbehaving; only when you dispaly displeasure.
November 12, 2012 at 8:43 AM
Seize the day, indeed. Go for the gusto, Rumpy. Those big brown eyes will get you out of a lot of lectures.
November 12, 2012 at 8:47 AM
I have the same motto
November 12, 2012 at 9:53 AM
We agree… Living in the moment is a wonderful thing. Human beans have a hard time with it, but we of the feline and canine persuasion don’t have much trouble.
Have a great day.
hugs, Max, Bugsy and Knuckles
November 12, 2012 at 10:21 AM
We love it best when woofies look like they’re smiling!! Yay!! take care
x
November 12, 2012 at 10:37 AM
That’s why I love animals so much. They live in the moment, they have nothing to feel sorry about.
November 12, 2012 at 11:04 AM
OH, those doggy looks. Apparently Molly has decided a palm tree needs to be relocated. We have tried to tell her she is not responsible for landscaping….just into that toddler stage of inching over the line to see what will happen….or the girl just wants to have fun!
November 12, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Love him!
November 12, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Rumpy’s definitley got the right idea and the look!
November 12, 2012 at 12:24 PM
I like the adage Rumpy lives by…might adopt it for myself I think Rumpy
November 12, 2012 at 12:30 PM
We like your thinking. I think we need to give it a try too.
Oink oink,
Katie and Coccolino the mini pig
November 12, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Living in the moment is one of the best lessons that our dogs teach us (I’m still working on it too). The other best lesson is being happy every time you greet somebody.
November 12, 2012 at 2:00 PM
I give that look, remorse, whats that..BOL I hate it when she’z cross though, so I try not to do it again..I did say try
xx00xx
Mollie and Alfie
November 12, 2012 at 2:37 PM
absolutely my goal too. live in the moment with no regrets/
November 12, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Rumpy is such a dog.
A dog with no conscience? A cute dog with puppy eyes!
November 12, 2012 at 3:08 PM
I’m with you Rumpy…go fur it!!!
November 12, 2012 at 4:46 PM
[...] A Dog Without Remorse. [...]
November 12, 2012 at 5:22 PM
Dogs are so zen…they absolutely live in the moment and like you I hope to be that way someday…they don’t carry around the burdens of guilt and regret that we do and they love and forgive so absolutely…DOG really is GOD spelled backwards
November 12, 2012 at 6:09 PM
I never can resist that “look.” Sometimes I swear dogs are much smarter than we humans give them credit for.
November 12, 2012 at 6:33 PM
Phantom rarely does anything naughty. Thunder and Ciara are the house master and mistress of showing remorse. Lightning, on the other hand, is never remorseful – in fact we think he is usually clueless he has even done anything wrong:)
Woos – Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
November 12, 2012 at 7:23 PM
He sure does have the face down though
! If you are interested in the emotions of animals- try reading “The Emotional Lives of Animals”- it is amazing!
November 12, 2012 at 9:28 PM
I heard that adage on Sunday for the first time about an Australian explorer and apparently loveable rogue Francis Birtles, and thought it does have merit
I think the look means… fine, if you want it to be a big deal, it’s a big deal… I’ll go along with that like I do everything else, cos you’re ok with me….
November 12, 2012 at 9:30 PM
Hmmm! Me KNOWS my hairy slobbery sisters goes “Oh! Oh! What did we do now?” when they hear the Mom/Dad Mad voice!
Kisses
Nellie
November 13, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Two of my dogs hear my “mad” voice at something they’ve done and file it away for future reference. Ling Ling, however, does try to make it up to me. She doesn’t feel remorse for what she’s done, but she does feel remorse for upsetting me.
Btw, chewing up tissues and toilet paper are way more fun than anything else they can name. That’s why we can’t leave toilet paper on the roller anymore and have to inconveniently use two hand to tear a piece of toilet paper off…and put tissue boxes out of reach of Shih Tzus (small dogs) who can stretch to unbelievable heights when motivated
I don’t always reply, Rumpy (and Jen), but I read your delightful antics quite often. Keep up the great PR (for animals).
Oreo’s, Ling Ling’s and Tilly Tot’s Mom
November 24, 2012 at 5:46 PM
Hahaha! I hadn’t thought of that… that dogs live in the moment. They do don’t they!