Pets: Why We Love Our Pets - JH

Most human beings (95% of good ones) love animals and children. It is simply the way we are put together, our makeup. This aspect of our nature is God-given, though some people avoid it. Dogs and cats, especially, are 'made for us.'

Even Adam was given the task of naming and identifying the animals in the Garden of Eden. In other words, humans and animals go back a long ways and are interconnected. To an extent, we are mutually-dependent upon each other.

Still, regardless of the background we creatures share, there is more to the story. Human beings have 5 senses and arguably a 6th sense that may well be a combo of the other five. However it works, this system of senses decrees by God that we need to give AND receive LOVE (God Himself is Love) to operate and function properly in this life. 

This love comes in several forms, such as with mates, children, parents, siblings, other relatives, friends, acquaintances, people we may not even know personally, objects, activities, AND animals. Obviously, Agape' love is the strongest - man and God - easiest compared to man/wife & parents and child. Still, we love in other degrees.

Why are pets so special also? Why do we love pets? Because many of us need to. We have various types of love to share, and we not only care about pets and adore them for who they are and what they look and sound like - BUT, we NEED to express our unused love somewhere! We love them, but we also need to love something.

Our pets become family members, in many cases. We thrust them into the role of "receiver of our love," and since we provide for them in some manner (hopefully good) they in turn have a level of feelings for us (though like it or not it is a bit more conditional, except for dogs). 

See, you can more easily shape and control your relationships with pets, as opposed to people. In a real sense, they are always there for you, you can say and act as you please around them without dire changes in them. Hint: Humans like to be able to be themselves!

We love our pets because we chose to, want to, and need to do so. They do NOT fill the space reserved for God or a mate, but they sure can be our comforters in many ways.

~ Jimmy Hall manages Jimmy Hall Writing Services (404-580-1501) and does most forms of commercial, business, and personal writing (resumes, business plans, web content, and more).