Pets Corner

Does Your Pet Love You?

Pets Corner with Leonie St Clair | www.londondogstraining.co.uk

One interesting side effect of the COVID 19 pandemic has been the opportunity to take a closer look at the human animal bond. As the recent explosion in dog and cat ownership has shown, humans draw heavily on their pets for emotional and physical support. Many humans express love and devotion for their pets. However, what about the animals? Do they feel the same about us? In general the science advises that to conflate feelings and emotions is unwise. There are animal behaviours that connote emotions, but we cannot infer we therefore know what animals feel. All that said and setting to one side complex scientific and philosophical questions about the meaning and nature of love, there are indicators that dogs and even cats may feel something akin to affection for their humans. Here is a quick guide to some of the evidence: In 2014 a small study showed that during MRI scans the reward centres of the dog brain light up when they detect their owner’s scent. It seems the owner’s unique smell may be the canine equivalent of a loved one’s face or voice. Next time your pup steals a shoe or inhales deeply into your crotch they are not necessarily being naughty, they just love you and your smell! In 2015 a Japanese study found that when you and your dog gaze into each other’s eyes you may both experience a spike in oxytocin- the ‘love hormone’. It’s strong stuff and what mothers feel for their new-borns, and newly enamoured couples for each other. A 2016 study suggests dogs are uniquely attuned to human facial expressions and vocal tones and may ‘recognise’ human emotions. In tests dogs were able to match facial expressions to the appropriate tone of voice. This ability partly explains why some owners feel their dogs are empathetic. More recently, ethologist Clive Wynne, an arch critic of anthropomorphism, now says dogs may indeed feel something akin to love. In his Book ‘Dog is Love: Why and How your Dog Loves You’ he refers to research where dogs will often choose the presence of their human over food. Wynne also discusses recent research that may explain much more about how dogs evolved and became domesticated. Humans with the rare genetic condition, Williams-Beuren syndrome, share a number of physical and mental characteristics, including unusually high extraversion and sociability scores. Research on the canine genome has revealed that dogs share similar gene variants, partly explaining why most dogs are so dependent on human contact and affection. Unsurprisingly, it has proven much more difficult to get pet cats into scanners or laboratory test scenarios, so the evidence here is thinner. Also, Felines are not so well domesticated that they depend on us utterly. But can cats love us or only what we can do for them? The jury is out, but it is thought that some cats are more social than others and many show signs of something akin to affection. A cat that flags his tail and moves brightly towards you is probably pleased to see you. If he rubs around you and butts you with his head, he is scenting you, making you smell familiar- the more you smell like him the stronger the bond. Slow eye closing is usually a sign of trust, if not more. Try it out and see if your cat responds. Cats also show trust and affiliation, if not affection, by leaning against you, grooming you with their tongue, even offering their tummy for a rub. Purring, once viewed as a signal of feline pleasure, is now thought to be more about communicating a desire for something or to prolong an event. Paradoxically, cats also purr when they are in pain.

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"SE Magazines have always been longstanding supporters of the work of Link Age Southwark. From holding an annual Christmas lunch raising funds to enable our work to support older people in the community to promoting our "I love SE Magazines. They are full of useful volunteering opportunities. We really value information and contacts of local businesses the professional and high quality service they and events. My business, Pianolobby is happy provide to the community."to advertise here and Angela is helpful and supportive." Link Age Southwark – Local Charity Why not give Angela a call on 020 8693 9040 & see what the magazines can do for your business! Julian – Pianolobby

BabyBallet

The award winning movement to music, dance & singing programme for boys and girls from 6 months upwards run with a fun, safe and caring environment. Classes in Dulwich. Call Stephanie 07809 148348 | www.babyballet.co.uk.

Boppin Bunnies

Interactive Music class for under 5’s led by professional musicians. Monday mornings 9:30am, 10:15am & 11am. Punk Me Up Ceramics Cafe. 34 East Dulwich Road, SE22 9AX www.boppinbunnies.co.uk.

diddi dance

Funky pre-school dance classes for girls and boys. Learn coordination, rhythm and great moves to funky songs and boost confidence. Classes in East Dulwich, Anne-Marie for a free trial 07973 982790 | www.diddidance.com.

District & Dulwich Twins Club

Baby and Toddler Group every Friday 10am-12pm (turn up at any time!), at Peckham Rye Playrooms (SE corner of the Rye). It is for multiples only, but you do not have to be a member of the club to attend. BYO coffee cup! www.ddtwinsclub.org.

Gymboree

Classes are designed for newborns - 5 year olds, and are led by experienced and nurturing teachers. We run throughout the year at Gymboree East Dulwich. 184 Peckham Rye SE22 9QA. 07538 795023 | eastdulwich@gymboree-uk.com.

HartBeeps

Mondays at Christ Church, 263 Barry Road, East Dulwich, SE22 0JT. 10am Happy House, 11am Baby Beeps & 12.15pm Baby Bells. Fridays at Ewart Community Hub, 44 Wastdale Road, SE23 1HN .10am Happy House, 11am Baby Beeps & 12.15pm Baby Bells. http://hartbeeps.com

Little Superhero Training

Practice your Superhero moves! Discover Superhero fun facts! Any Little Heroes, Boys and Girls aged 2 - 5, Come along for a FREE taster session. Mondays & Fridays (term time only) St Barnabas Parish Hall, 23 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BT. Contact Lucy 07813 791757 | lucy@littleherocompany.com www.littleherocompany.com

Lucy Sparkles

Outstanding music, drama and dance classes and parties for young children. Fun classes where children engage with singing, movement and live music whilst enhancing learning through developing physical, emotional and intellectual skills. Tues, Weds & Fri classes for different age groups/ themes. sarah@lucysparkles.com | 07929 784 719

Nibble Arts

Are you looking for flexible 8:00 - 6:30pm school holiday childcare? We still have lots of places available at Goodrich Primary SE22 from 4th birthday to 11 - our unique creative childcare lets children explore a brand-new adventure through up to 4 creative workshops a day with industry professionals for February Half-term 14th - 18th Feb!

Children are looked after in key groups of 10 for a really personalised experience and you can request that they are grouped with friends who are also attending. We are Ofsted approved and you can book in advance up to the end of Summer Holidays 2022 1-5 days a week using childcare vouchers, tax-free childcare, card or instalment plans from £54/day. Where else can you be on video chat to an Arctic explorer live from Svalbard University one day, and meeting Sophie the giant animatronic T-Rex the next? For the full timetable and to book visit www.nimblearts.co.uk/how-our-clubs-work

Mini Athletics (SE London)

Winning the gold medal for children’s sports classes! Start your child’s fantastic journey in athletic development, designed for toddlers up to children of 7 years old. All through a fun play-based format. To try us out, contact Sam: 07811787153 | smcdermott@miniathletics.com www.miniathletics.com

Sing and Sign

Monday - Saturday. 020 7193 3696 | www.singandsign.com

Sparkle Music

Carefully structured and fun music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-school children in SE22. Check the website for current classes. Contact : anna@sparkle-music.co.uk. | 0771 1238352

Our children’s activities pages have been popular for years and now they are back! If you run a class in any of these areas, then advertising in these pages are just for you. Each magazine has 5,000 copies which are hand-delivered every month. You can choose to go for 5, 10 or 15,000 copies, it is totally up to you. Contact Angela at: angela@semagazines.co.uk for a rate card.

Alexandra Nurseries .................................................13 Alleyn’s International Concert Series ..........................9 Around Dulwich Website...........................................23 Ayrton Windows & Doors..................................... Back Bells Bathroom and Kitchens....................................25 Bespoke Windows ....................................................25 Cooking with Scissors: Local Networking..................23 Dulwich Carpet Company ........................................21 Dulwich Massage Therapy ........................................25 Garolla Roller Garage Doors.......................................13 Giuseppe Peluso Mortgage Broker..............................9 Google Reviews for SE Magazines ............................31 Herne Hill School: Open Morning................................5 Holistic & Beauty Therapy...........................................9 Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating ................17 Capitain & McColm: Goldsmiths & Gallery for Fine Contemporary Jewellery .........................................15 John @ James & Lamont: Painting & Decorating ....17 Link Age Southwark...................................................29 Link Age Southwark Trivia Night ..............................33 Lorna Clansey: Amatsu in SE22.................................13 Mac Support .............................................................11 MW Family Care Consultancy....................................11 PianoLobby ...............................................................21 Robert Cox French Polishing .....................................23 Rosie Reilly Plumber .................................................21 SE Magazines Local Advertising................................25 Smart Business Networking......................................23 SortMySpace .............................................................11 Steve Smith Accountants .........................................17 Sydenham High School ..............................................7 Truepennys Estate Agents..................................2 & 35 William Bailey Solicitors ............................................33

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Next Issue - March | Copy Deadline - 15 February

If you would like to advertise in our next issue (or SE21 and SE23), you can download our rates from our website or just get in touch with Angela on 020 8693 9040. www.semagazines.co.uk