- An overview of morbidly beautiful death rituals of animals – which species mourn, have death rituals and feelings of suicide?
- The Eurasian magpie is the only bird, and one of few animals, to pass the mirror test – meaning they can recognize themselves from their reflection.
There is a sense of beauty in morbid images, particularly when it comes to animals. Dealing with death can be challenging and uncomfortable, but it doesn't have to.
A dog named Leao (on the picture above) sat on the grave of his owner for days, who died in the disastrous landslides near Rio de Janiero in 2011. Dogs are man’s best friend indeed.
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty in these images; sometimes death teaches us to appreciate life.
- This dog is literally crying at the grave of its loved one. Although it's not known how much dogs understand about death, it's clear that dogs can become extremely depressed after a friend dies.
- A young man was gunned down in the streets of Curitiba, Brazil. His loyal dog arrives at the scene a little later and refuses to leave...
- Probably the best-known gorilla in the world, "Koko", who is known for great intelligence and having learned more than 1,000 signs of a modified version of American Sign Language, is crying in this video having found out the kitten he loved and once care for, has died.
- While we can't know for sure what the magpies are actually thinking or feeling in this video, it looks like some kind of death ritual. The Eurasian magpie is the only bird, and one of few animals, to pass the mirror test – meaning they can recognize themselves from the reflection.
† Epithets †
A letter from the Reader
A letter and picture received from a dear reader...
A month ago, when my 34-year-old Arabian horse named Topez died of a sudden heart attack. I allowed my other horse Spirit Thyme (who is 13 years old & who had been “pasture buddies” with Topez since age 6 months) to say his goodbyes and to mourn the loss of his best friend. Before the burial, I let Spirit Thyme go see Topez’s body, I knew he needed to do this as much as me, but his reaction did come as a surprise. Spirit started to luck Topez’s hooves and legs, he “groomed” him and licked him for close to 45 minutes, then went off and started to graze in the pasture. Since the burial, he will go to the grave and stand for upwards of 20 minutes or so almost daily.
I captured this poignant photo of him sniffing Topez’s grave market.
Still mourning the loss of my buddy Topez.
Facebook pages honored top Topez & Spirit Thyme.
