dream pets, documentaries and all things animal

Animals are terrific and captivating to watch live or on TV. I like your choice of wildlife and nature programmes and would watch more if I had the time. Cinematography and videography using drones and camera traps have enabled viewers to experience some incredible moments of animal behaviour. However, I am rather put off by so much graphic material of animals killing their prey for food, and material with animal cruelty inflicted by humans. I know it is natural and important to show these moments, but I can’t bear watching that sort of thing and usually close my eyes and cover my ears. The TV series about Orang Utan jungle school was great and Blue Planet was an extraordinary series.

My favourite animals are cheetahs, lions, tigers, leopards and snow leopards, elephants, orang utans and mountain gorillas. I also like hippopotami and my dream pet would be a baby mountain gorilla, but it would definitely be a dream as the gorilla wouldn’t be happy living in a house.

I have a dog who means the world to me. I have had him since he was a puppy and he is 11 years old now. I endeavour to make his environment happy, comfortable and as interesting as possible, allowing him choice and freedom where practical. Canine behaviour is one of my interests so I enjoy learning about new ways to enrich my dog’s day and keeping up to date with some research into matters relating to his happiness. In reality, it is my dog who has trained me, he is a manipulater, which sounds negative if applied to a human, but as a dog, he has learned how to get me to to do what he wants, without the underhand streak that can afflict humans, and that is all fine by me.

Animals are terrific and captivating to watch live or on TV. I like your choice of wildlife and nature programmes and would watch more if I had the time. Cinematography and videography using drones and camera traps have enabled viewers to experience some incredible moments of animal behaviour. However, I am rather put off by so much graphic material of animals killing their prey for food, and material with animal cruelty inflicted by humans. I know it is natural and important to show these moments, but I can’t bear watching that sort of thing and usually close my eyes and cover my ears. The TV series about Orang Utan jungle school was great and Blue Planet was an extraordinary series.

My favourite animals are cheetahs, lions, tigers, leopards and snow leopards, elephants, orang utans and mountain gorillas. I also like hippopotami and my dream pet would be a baby mountain gorilla, but it would definitely be a dream as the gorilla wouldn’t be happy living in a house.

I have a dog who means the world to me. I have had him since he was a puppy and he is 11 years old now. I endeavour to make his environment happy, comfortable and as interesting as possible, allowing him choice and freedom where practical. Canine behaviour is one of my interests so I enjoy learning about new ways to enrich my dog’s day and keeping up to date with some research into matters relating to his happiness. In reality, it is my dog who has trained me, he is a manipulater, which sounds negative if applied to a human, but as a dog, he has learned how to get me to to do what he wants, without the underhand streak that can afflict humans, and that is all fine by me.

Hello ArchaeC, and thanks for sharing your thoughts. I too am amazed by how technology has advanced so much (e.g., drones, camera traps etc.) and can now capture such marvellous moments of nature in mind-blowing detail. I personally prefer watching shows where animals display affection, care and loyalty to their family and friends (and try to skip past/avoid the more graphic hunting/killing content when I can). Though natural and realistic, the violence still disturbs my dreams :( 

I am touched to hear you enjoy such a meaningful and happy relationship with your 11-year old dog . Your endeavours to always ensuring he feels happy, comfortable and engaged sounds inspiring, and I am sure your dog always appreciates your company, commitment and care .

As you mentioned you were interested in canine behaviour, you might enjoy Dog Impossible, a Nat Geo TV series where the super patient, wise, empathetic dog trainer Matt Beisner works with hyper anxious dogs to inspire greater confidence, better social and self-soothing skills when interacting with different people and dogs in different environments. It is a great show for dog lovers to watch, for entertainment value, feel good vibes or finding new ways to enrich their own dogs lives.

I would love to watch the TV series on the Orang Utan jungle school and the blue planet series when I get the chance. They sound incredible!

I've been well trained by my cats!