Minx

This is one of the best books I have ever read on the subject of anthropomorphism (which is basically subscribing human emotions to animals...the theory has killed the reputation of many a good scientist).

I feel not only are most animals very intelligent but they feel emotions as we do. I saw footage once of a mother seal with her babe, another female seal who was too old to breed stole the baby and in trying to retrieve it and the ensuing struggle...the baby seal was dashed to the rocks and died. If you could have seen the mother with it's dead babe and heard her obvious cries (not of physical pain but the pain of losing a loved one) you would never ever doubt that some animals feel emotions just as humans do. There are numerous stories regarding all types of animals, both domesticated and wild which prove that they are capable of emotions and this, to me, also indicates that they are intelligent creatures.
Some of what they do can be attributed to instinct but not always.
Is a dog smart enough to write a thesis on the theory of relativity....nope - but that does not mean they are stupid by any means at all. And animals, just as humans, have varying degrees of intelligence. Pigs and horses are incredibly intelligent animals who can learn at the pace of a small child.
Sixate mentioned something along the lines (sorry it was back at the beginning so I'm not quoting here) that animals were stupid because they lacked the ability to write, speak, read, create, etc. I completely disagree. Animals build their own homes, care for and defend their young just as we do. Because they don't speak English does not mean they do not have their own language. Bees can communicate very well as do ants and many other creatures...wolves...even elephants (they use high pitched noises not picked up by the human ear). Dolphins and whales communicate among their pods. Just because they are not speaking our language does not mean they do not have the ability to communicate. If you say Sixate that the defining idea of intelligence is whether you can walk, talk, read or write....well, I would think there are a few people in wheelchairs who don't have those capabilities who would disagree with you 100%.
For myself....I only wish that I could claim my dog as a dependent on my income tax! He has a job - he guards my home and my family. He eats, breaths, snores and dreams. He is happy when I mention the word walk and pouts when I leave for work. He is depressed when "his" kids leave for the weekend and he is a family member...albeit just a little hairy!

__________________
You've been a naughty boy....go to my room!