Many animals are extremely capable of noticing visual cues and relating them to satisfying experiences. These experiences can be anything from a few scratches on the head to a refreshing shower of cool water. Of course, they can also easily remember painful experiences and connect those to specific people or even people in general.
I'm not sure that makes them 'smarter' but it certainly makes it safer for them around danger and 'happier' when they enjoy the 'reward!' I'm not a supporter of the 'seven-day' creation story as fact but I also think we need to be careful about transferring
our emotions or capabilities to other animals. I believe we are to have 'dominion' over these creations, not the other way around. But the meaning of 'dominion' may not be as 'authoritarian' as some would suggest.
I hope the above is not considered too 'religious' for our forums. I'll admit it could be 'theological' but it could also be simply 'philosophical.'
