I like your story.

Watching the kids grow and mature I've often wondered if we don't breed or condition some basic instincts out of them that the pets maintain. No case in point, just that we seem to work on an instictive level as children.

Anyway, my dogs have always known when something is wrong. A change in mood is all it takes for them to react/behave/respond differently, always appropriate to the moment. Grief, joy, illness...they never need to be told, they just respond.

Peace, Mooh.