Animal Powers

[Janice]

Do you think animals have powers, etc. that man does not have?

I remember living in Iowa and seeing the cattle on the farms all huddling together right before a storm. It hadn't even showed signs of lightening or thunder. When the weather seemed leery, the farmers knew something was brewing when they saw them huddle.

[Stephanie]

They say that birds fly in a circle when rain is coming. I truly believe that animals can sense changes in the atmosphere and are one of our "clues" to Mother Nature.

[Janice]

I also think that a dogs nose is a very good asset. They can sniff out drugs in cars and luggage. I doubt a human could smell it.

[O Town]

Yes I think they do. I know some dogs have been known to sniff out cancer cells in the body. I agree about the atmospheric changes as well. They seem to have a 6th sense about that type of thing.

[george_r_1961]

They say that birds fly in a circle when rain is coming. I truly believe that animals can sense changes in the atmosphere and are one of our "clues" to Mother Nature.

Animals are more sensitive to changes in barometric pressure than humans are. I think its a learned behavior; they feel the changes in pressure and remember that there was a storm last time they felt like that.

My cat was not particulary afraid of thunderstorms but I remember once during a typical summer storm she got VERY agitated. All hell broke loose moments after she started acting weird. This was a longg time ago and I do not remember exactly what transpired meteorologically speaking. Just know my cat had some weather savvy just like her owner

[Stephanie]

My poor dog Rudy shakes and has to sit on your lap when there's a thunderstorm. I feel so bad for him! I'm enjoying the show and he's scared to death!

[alicia-w]

our vet wrote our dog a prescription for valium for that exact problem.

[HurriCat]

In Winter Park, there is a store/restaurant called White Wolf Cafe - named after the owner's big white shepherd. Poor guy DID lay down and pass away during a bad thunderstorm. They said he was always afraid during storms, but I don't know if medication had been thought of or not.

On the subject, I believe that animals - especially dogs and cats - have unique senses beyond our own. They burn very brightly but so much shorter than we do. I treat them all with respect and help them whenever I can. What wonderful little friends God has given us!

[Yarrah]

There are rumors animals can sense oncoming earthquakes. For example, the 2004 Indian Ocean quake caused almost no animal casualties. It could of course just be coincidence, but reports about elephants freaking out and moving to higher ground at the time the earthquake was registered on Sumatra make me doubt if it is really a coincidence