When I give Mia a fresh drink, a little treat, or hand feed her something, she always gives me two quick little happy licks on my hand, arm or leg before walking away. I swear, it's as if she is saying "thank you, mommy" before going happily on her way. At least that's what I always say she is doing. It got me to thinking. Does a dog really have the capacity to conceptualize the words "thank you"? I know we all say a rescue dog is grateful when he is taken from a bad situation, but that's not quite the same thing. In your opinion can a dog understand "thank you"? If not, then what is she doing? I clearly know when she is licking the scraps off my fingers, or when she is grooming me, and this is clearly a different kind of licking. It's kind of similar in concept to what some people call "dog kisses". What's your opinion, and does anyone else's baby do something like this? It really doesn't matter, but it's just so sweet, and it's something I was just wondering about.
