THE MIND OF A DOG

                     Can animals imagine as we do
                     And recollect past images they’ve seen?
                    Just watch a dog asleep and you
                    Will be convinced she has a mental screen
                    On which she views projections from the past
                    And re-enacts a scene of joy or terror—
                    Perhaps encountering a cat who sassed
                    Her, or brightening at the sight of her food-bearer.
                    Besides that, though, she can anticipate
                    Remote events that haven’t happened yet,
                    Like waiting by the door when we’re out late
                    Or hiding when it’s time to see the vet.
                         Watching our dogs, it’s evident to me
                         They have foresight as well as memory.

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