It may come as a shock to owners, but dogs hate being hugged, a study has shown.Ani-mal psychologists say dogs feel stressed and unhappy when they are hugged by their owners, because it stops them to run away.

In a study which analyzed (分析) 250 pictures of dogs as they were being hugged, eight out of 10 animals looked clearly uncomfortable.Experts at The Kennel Club, and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, also agreed that owners should not treat their dogs like children, because most pets did not like to be hugged.

The new study was carried out by Dr Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia.He analyzed images of dogs being hugged by adults and children he found on the Internet, looking for signs of stress.At an extreme end, when a dog is especially anxious, it shows its teeth or may bite, but Dr Coren said there are small signs that it may be uncomfortable.Signs of stress include the dog folding its ears down, half-moon eyes or turning its head away to stop eye contact.If the dog has its eyes closed it could also be a sign of anxiety.Opening its mouth or raising one paw (爪子) is another warning sign.

"It is clearly better from the dog's point of view if you express your fondness for your pet with a pat, a kind word, and maybe a treat."

"Some people think that giving their dog a hug is a nice thing to do, but the reality is that a family pet will often stand a hug but doesn't like it."

"On the whole dogs are sociable animals and love interacting with people, but any action that restricts a dog's movement could make it uncomfortable and it is important for an owner to recognize the signs of stress or anxiety."

The zoo allows us to observe the wild animals without actually going to the wild places. It’s an enjoyable and educational experience for us, but is it the best environment for the animals?

A long time ago, people could only see wild animals as dead exhibits in a museum. Later, live animals were caught by explorers, brought home and put on show to the public and conditions of the animals were terrible. But modern zoos and wildlife parks have improved the conditions and environments for animals, making bigger places, removing bars, and, to some extent, making it closer to their natural habitats (栖息地)

Some people have questioned the cruelty of keeping animals captive (关起来的) and using them just for entertainment, but zoos are glad to show they are here to help wildlife by educating us about protection. Well-managed zoos are now involved in supporting and funding (资助) protection programmes.

Probably the biggest claim from zoos today is that they help to protect species that are under threat in the wild due to climate change. Robert Young, Chair in Wildlife Protection at Salford University says: “There are quite a lot of different species around the planet which we wouldn’t have today if it wasn’t for zoos.” Some zoos have captive raising programmes which help to preserve the future of species that would otherwise die out. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio recently spoke highly of the protection work of Chester Zoo in the UK. It brought a “rare fish species back from the dead” after breeding and releasing a school of golden skiffia fish back into their native river.

While the debate about having zoos continues, new opportunities to meet wildlife are being explored, such as using virtual reality, and Jon Coe, a zoo designer, told the BBC: “Taking a walk through a herd of elephants in the Serengeti, I think, is going to be possible pretty soon.”

A DAY IN THE CLOUDS

The air is thin and we have to rest several times on the short hike from camp. To our left, snow-covered mountains disappear into clouds that seem almost close enough to touch. On the plain in front of us, we can just make out a herd of graceful animals. This is why we’ re here — to observe Tibetan antelopes.

Tibetan antelopes live on the plains of Tibet, Xinjiang, and Qinghai. Watching them move slowly across the green grass, I’ m struck by their beauty. I’ m also reminded of the danger they are in. They are being hunted, illegally, for their valuable fur.

My guide is Zhaxi, a villager from Changtang. He works at the Changtang National Nature Reserve. The reserve is a shelter for the animals and plants of northwestern Tibet. To Zhaxi, the land is sacred and protecting the wildlife is a way of life. “We’ re not trying to save the animals,” he says, “Actually, we’ re trying to save ourselves.”

The 1980s and 1990s were bad times for the Tibetan antelope. The population dropped by more than 50 percent. Hunters were shooting antelopes to make profits. Their habitats were becoming smaller as new roads and railways were built.

In order to save this species from extinction, the Chinese government placed it under national protection. Zhaxi and other volunteers watched over the antelopes day and night to keep them safe from attacks. Bridges and gates were added to let the antelopes move easily and keep them safe from cars and trains.

The measures were effective. The antelope population has recovered and in June 2015, the Tibetan antelope was removed from the endangered species list. The government, however, does not intend to stop the protection programmes, since the threats to the Tibetan antelope have not yet disappeared.

In the evening, I drink a cup of tea and watch the stars. I think about the antelopes and what Zhaxi told me. Much is being done to protect wildlife, but if we really want to save the planet, we must change our way of life. Only when we learn to exist in harmony with nature can we stop being a threat to wildlife and to our planet.