Knowing what we’ve probably know all along, that we are our dog’s “mom” or “dad” is one thing but knowing why is something different. Is it from gratitude, that we’ve brought them into our home, or something else?

The most direct dog brain-based evidence that they are hopelessly devoted to humans comes from a recent neuroimaging study about odor processing in the dog brain. Animal cognition scientists at Emory University trained dogs to lie still in an MRI machine and used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to measure their neural responses to the smell of people and dogs, both familiar and unknown. Because dogs navigate the world through their noses, the way they process smell offers a lot of potential insight into social behavior.

The scientists found that dog owners' aroma actually sparked activation in the “reward center” of their brains, called the caudate nucleus. Of all the wafting smells to take in, dogs actually prioritized the hint of humans over anything or anyone else.

These results jibe with other canine neuroimaging research. In Budapest, researchers at Eotvos Lorand University studied canine brain activity in response to different human and dog sounds, including voices, barks and the meaningful grunts and sighs both species emit. Before this study, we had no idea what happens inside canine brains when humans make noise.

Among other surprising findings, the study revealed marked similarities in the way dog and human brains process emotionally laden vocal sounds. Researchers found that happy sounds in particular light up the auditory cortex in both species. This commonality speaks to the uniquely strong communication system underlying the dog-human bond.

In short: Dogs don't just seem to pick up on our subtle mood changes — they are actually physically wired to pick up on them.

Dogs are unique. When they are afraid they will run to their human family. On the other hand, cats or even horses will run away when frightened. Dogs see themselves as our children, no matter the age, more than even their own species. An interesting observation: A dog will make eye contact with its human parent but never will with its biological dog parent. Thus, bonding with their human is actually more important to a dog than with other pets!

Interesting, eh?

For more information please check out Science.Mic. There, you will also read about the other side of the coin: The brain activity of a human with regard to their dog!

Life is a mystery but, with science and brain scans, our pretty pooch does not have to be.