There is nothing on this planet like the unconditional love of an animal. The positive effects, animals have on most people are beyond words. They offer us moral support and a welcome soothing when life may get hard or uncomfortable. Always at our side, their affection transcends any boundaries.
How can such powerful love affect us? Why are some of them showing such unrestricted affection? Are all animals capable of loving? And what makes it so unique to us, human beings?
Well, at first hand, an animal can provide unconditional love, hugs, and kisses for many people who never received affection their whole lives. Animals even help you live longer. Their life can heal yours. And there are proofs of this statement all over the world. It comes to no surprise to me that a scientific study proved, what many have known all along: animals are capable of great acts of love.
And all of us had the experience of the emotional, sentimental, and almost gravitational pull of an animal’s touch. It is an incredible feeling to play with a dog, cuddle with a cat, ride a horse or bond with a bird. Even watching a video about a wild animal getting her young out of a sticky situation touches us. So, animals have an extraordinary healing power that goes beyond what we can imagine.
Let’s Care More
Most of you know the love an animal can have. You know the feeling. It is the touch of a wet nose rubbing your face or the sound of a concerned whimper when you are sad. Or it is also the jump on your laps or the absolute happiness when they see you. But it is even more profound when you look into their wide and compassionate eyes. They then seem to understand you on the deepest level.
So, if you are an animal lover, you already know it to be true. Animals are capable of deep, unconditional love that is way beyond what you and I can feel. Yet, there is a cliché linked to animals waiting for adoption in shelters across the world. It looks, for many of you, that you believe an animal in a shelter is there just because it is undesirable or broken in some way.
But nothing is further from the truth. It is a fact that only five out of every ten animals in shelters never leave alive. In my life, I saw animals that were so starved, so thin, so abused, so neglected. Those are the ones who have seen the absolute worst of humanity. And yet somehow, they find the strength to live; not only to live but to forgive, trust and give unconditional love once again.
The Unconditional Love of an Animal
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress is judged by the way its animals are treated.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Some scientific studies show that animals feel love in the same way people do; through a chemical process. When you hold an animal, like your pet, your cat, dog, horse and many other creatures of the animal kingdom, something magical happens. It releases the same hormones that you do when you are in love.
As a result, there is really no love like the unconditional love of an animal. An innocent creature, which is not of the same species, decides to snuggle with you when you feel sad or play with you when you are in a bad mood. And sometimes they even give their own life to protect you. They do not have to do it, yet they still do. Animals know that you are unique to them and very often, you are their whole world. So be always kind!
The Magic of Loving an Animal
I do love all animals. They are beautiful creatures that deserve their place in this world. And I realized that loving an animal changes a person’s life as well as mine. Whether they are an army, service, therapy, farm, wild animal, or just your pet, the love you have for them is unique. But the extraordinary love you receive back is one of the purest feelings on this planet.
When I was growing up, I was one of those children that would bring abandoned, hurt or lost animals of the street. I would come back home with them. My mother’s answer was often no. So, being a rebellious child, I would take them anyway to our horse barn. And then take care of them there until they recover. However, the older I got, the more I began to realize the cruelty and abuse animals were enduring, and it hurt.
Of course, I wanted to do my part to help these poor innocent souls. So I began to work with them before and after school, and during the summer also. But throughout my life, I drifted back and forth. I worked as a zookeeper for big cats in Colorado. And I then got a job as an assistant surgeon for a veterinarian. But it was not for me. Now, their unconditional love took over again, and I am back.
The Motives of Unconditional Love
Surely, you heard a wolf howl longing to the moon, but do you know why? Wolves cry out from sorrow when they miss an absent member of their pack. Some dogs will not leave the side of their owner’s grave. Did you ever see your pet yawn also when you do? Well, it is meant to be a sign of adoration for you, its owner.
And what is it when your cat relaxes lazily in a sunny spot of the house, makes eye contact with you across the room and then blinks gently? In cat body language, a slow, deliberate blink means an expression of total trust, vulnerability, and friendliness. Otters hold hands while they sleep and rest, to prevent clans from losing each other. Rats have been known to free other rats from their cages.
Elephants also possess unconditional love. They are emotional creatures and show compelling acts of affection when, for example, grieving for a lost loved one. Some even die of broken hearts after the death of another. These gentle souls stand over the remains, weeping for several minutes to numerous days. They will also go so far as to bury the bodies under leaves. And those are not the only animals that show incredible feelings and cleverness.
The Human and Animal Worlds
The separation between the human and animal worlds is not as extensive as you might think. Animals hold such wisdom and power. And when we interact with them, they often sooth our pain and problems that we feel are all too overwhelming.
Therefore, the most magical aspect of your human-animal connection is this unspoken language that you share with them. It fosters trust and affection that never wavers or fades. Studies show that petting and spending time with an animal inevitably decreases the levels of stress running through your body.
So, the more affection, care, and attention that you give to an animal or pet, the more you receive a lot of devotion in response. As a result, there is nothing that equals the unconditional love of an animal. And I believe that we have a lot to learn from them.
It Is Unconditional Love
Seriously now, who else will accept you just as you are? Who else will welcome you, no matter what your circumstances? Where will you be greeted with such eagerness, the moment you step through the door?
You and I can always try our best to give such type of love to our partners, friends, and family members, but with little success. In this world, no one else can drop everything on the spot and shower you with worship and adoration the way that an animal does. They are truly special angels we should cherish.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”- Anatole France
Since they do give us unconditional love until the day that they die and even after, think to pet, talk and spoil animals with adoration as much as you can. Tell them how much you love them. Remember that their unreserved affection for you is a special bond of nature, even if you are soul mates of a different type!
