What does it take to make a dog cry 'happy tears'? 為什麼狗與主人團聚時 “喜極而泣”？

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What does it take to make a dog cry ‘happy tears’? 為什麼狗與主人團聚時 “喜極而泣”？

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While dog owners are familiar with face-licking and tail-wagging, a new study has found that dogs can cry tears of joy to express their emotions.

狗主人對狗舔人臉和搖尾巴的行為再熟悉不過瞭，但一項新研究發現，狗還能用喜悅的淚水表達自己的情緒。

Katey Aldred, animal behaviourist and veterinary nurse
“It is a really exciting piece of research. “

凱蒂·奧爾德雷德動物行為學傢和獸醫護士
“這是一項讓人欣喜不已的研究。”

Japanese researchers found canine eyes well up with tears of joy when they are reunited with their owners.

日本研究人員發現，當狗與主人團聚時，它們會高興得熱淚盈眶。

Katey Aldred, animal behaviourist and veterinary nurse
“Research shows that the tear production is increased when the owner who’s separated from them return[s].”

凱蒂·奧爾德雷德動物行為學傢和獸醫護士
“研究表明，當愛犬與它們的主人在分開後重聚時，它們的淚腺分泌量會增加。”

The study looked at the reactions of 22 dogs who were reunited with their owners and other people they know.

研究仔細觀察瞭22隻狗在與主人及其他認識的人團聚時的反應。

Scientists believe dogs cry because of the release of oxytocin, the so-called cuddle hormone.

科學傢認為，狗之所以會哭是因為體內分泌瞭催產素，俗稱 “擁抱荷爾蒙”。

Katey Aldred, animal behaviourist and veterinary nurse
“We know that oxytocin is involved with social behaviour, bonds and attachment and it can also play a modulating, fundamental role in emotional processing.”

凱蒂·奧爾德雷德動物行為學傢和獸醫護士
“我們知道催產素和社會行為、紐帶和依戀有關，它還可以在處理情緒時發揮調節的基礎性作用。”

The role of oxytocin was already known to researchers.

研究人員已知催產素的作用。

Katey Aldred, animal behaviourist and veterinary nurse
“We know that emotional bonds with owners can be formed and it does relate back to attachment style, just as it does in humans. It overlaps again back to oxytocin because some studies show that plays the crucial role in the development of that bond. Dogs and animals do have emotions. Happiness. Frustration. Grief. Relaxation. My dogs right now are all laid around, you know, just by me while I’m talking to you.”

凱蒂·奧爾德雷德動物行為學傢和獸醫護士
“我們知道，狗與主人的情感紐帶是可以形成的，這種紐帶確實與依戀模式有關，就像人類的情感紐帶與依戀模式有關一樣。這還是和催產素的作用有關，因為一些研究表明，催產素在這類紐帶的形成中起著至關重要的作用。狗和動物確實是有情感的。快樂、沮喪、悲傷、放松。此時此刻，我的狗就都躺在我身邊。”

But there is still a lot we can learn about our furry friends’ emotions.

但關於我們毛茸茸的朋友的情感，仍有許多需要學習的地方。

Katey Aldred, animal behaviourist and veterinary nurse
“So we know from previous research that touching dogs can increase oxytocin levels and as there is that inference that the oxytocin has contributed to the tear production, it would really be great to know if it’s just simply the presence of that owner or the way that the owner is interacting with them.”

凱蒂·奧爾德雷德動物行為學傢和獸醫護士
“我們從先前的研究中得知，狗被撫摸時催產素水平會增加，同時，因為推斷出瞭催產素有助於分泌淚水，現在我們想知道，狗在快樂的情況下流淚這個反應隻是因為主人在身邊，還是因為主人與它們的互動方式。”

What scientists are sure of is that the owners felt more desire to care for their animals when they saw them with teary eyes.

科學傢們確信的是，當主人看到眼含熱淚的愛犬時，會更有照顧它們的意願。