What were you THINKING?

I know, right? I recall it being a temporary issue after giving birth, but it hasn’t been a problem in years. But who knows, maybe those mothers each have lots of kids - I stopped at one.

Or maybe we both need to start laughing more.

This, definitely this.

Laughter is what separates us from mere beasts. Humour appears to be unique to humans.

Although my cat may have mastered sardonicism.

That is definitely not true.

Oh, yes.

I think some of the other apes do something very like it.

– yes indeed. And not only apes, either.

https://www.npr.org/2021/05/22/999491591/dozens-of-animals-laugh-too-study-shows

ETA: Hi, @Miller!

Not yet read the full text on your link, but great news for all animal-kind.

Makes me proud to be a monkey.

My dog is pretty funny. She will tease you and gets a lot of enjoyment out of it (often things like acting like she is going to give you a toy then pulling away when you reach for it, or pretending to “accidentally” drop a toy and wait for you to try to grab it). And while she doesn’t laugh the way a person does, there is a certain thing she does with her mouth that coincides with playing/teasing, and I interpret that as laughter.

The local Learning Annex type place has a “Kegels for Bonobos” class that, AIUI, sells out every time it’s offered.

My cats clack their teeth an awful lot. I was concerned it was a fear thing but they do it so much we think its a breed specific behavior. (Or they’re just assholes)
You would think they’re laughing at you if you heard it.

Everyone remarks about it.

I’m telling you, these 2 Siamese are the oddest 4 legged critters I’ve ever kept. They nearly talk somedays. I know they use curse words.

Doesn’t even have to be primates. I’ve had a dog play a joke on me. I was reading and he was whining at the hallway entrance like he wanted out. I get up and walk down the hallway and he’s dancing around me like usual before beating me to the door. He then whirled and trotted back up the hallway while – this is what clinches it – looking over his shoulder to check out my reaction.

I walk back down the hallway and see he’s on the sofa* looking very pleased with himself. “Goddam son of a bitch played a joke on me!” I announced to DesertRoomie and when I described what has happened, she agreed.

*Not where I’d been sitting so that wasn’t it.

When the kids play chase and Bayliss is involved, there is much laughter.

I watch Bayliss and I see a big sheperd-y smile, tongue hanging out, running.

Kids laughing, you can almost hear that dog laughing. Almost.

Oh, he plays jokes on me all the time. Hide and seek. “Its lost” are two of his favorites.

That interpretation of dog laughter is legitimate and scientifically recognized. It’s not vocalized like human laughter but is a form of panting called play-panting that is associated with enjoyable play. The sound has been shown to reduce stress in shelter dogs.

Elephants, in particular, seem to really like practical jokes involving people’s hats.

Dude appreciate the video, but it’s Epoch Times fer Og’s sake.

And so?

They are a very shady operation involved in major money laundering and extreme right propaganda.

Do you think any of their shady far right Chinese cult shit involves elephants playing with hats?

Okay, and?

This is a miniseries waiting to be made.

I was assuming that the rationale was “let’s not give them the click$.”