Comments on: What draws us to the animals we love? http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/ musings, thoughts, and writings of Barbara W. Klaser Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:20:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.3-beta1 Comment on What draws us to the animals we love? by: grow butterscotch jasmine http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-13635 Sat, 17 May 2008 22:04:12 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-13635 [...] [...] […] […]

]]> Comment on What draws us to the animals we love? by: Cristy http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-10793 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:18:24 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-10793 I found this blog because today because I am searching for the answer to a novel question. I am 48 years old, and for the first time in my life, I was confronted with the question of "Why do I love dogs and cats"??? The woman I was speaking with knows - has always known - that she doesn't like animals. She made that clear to her husband to be that there would be no pets in their lives. She's a school teacher, with 2 children that she seems to love dearly, so she must be nuturing, yet she is not the least bit compelled to have a pet (despite her children's requests). So why is it that I and my family and many generations past in my family have always loved dogs and cats ?? I mean, aren't I continually having to clean up after them, feed them, take them to the Vet, and meet their emotional and physical needs ? I have three human children too. Wouldn't life be a lot 'easier' without having to care for pets on top of everything else? And yet I can't imagine life without my 3 dogs (Chihuahuas). I think Sarah said it best in her 12/29/06 post: We are the center of their Universe...and to that I would add that our attention is the highlight of their day. They love us, and we can't help but love them back. They are our babies that never grow up, who are always hungering for our presence and a little attention, always so happy to see us. The emotional connection I have with my dogs is worth every bit of extra vacuuming, lint brushing and pooper scoopering involved. Maybe us animal lovers are just a little more nuturing ? Maybe we love to be needed ? I don't know, but I do know that I come from a long, long line of animal lovers....and that it sure comes naturally to me. Would appreciate anyone's thoughts on this matter..... I found this blog because today because I am searching for the answer to a novel question. I am 48 years old, and for the first time in my life, I was confronted with the question of “Why do I love dogs and cats”??? The woman I was speaking with knows - has always known - that she doesn’t like animals. She made that clear to her husband to be that there would be no pets in their lives. She’s a school teacher, with 2 children that she seems to love dearly, so she must be nuturing, yet she is not the least bit compelled to have a pet (despite her children’s requests). So why is it that I and my family and many generations past in my family have always loved dogs and cats ?? I mean, aren’t I continually having to clean up after them, feed them, take them to the Vet, and meet their emotional and physical needs ? I have three human children too. Wouldn’t life be a lot ‘easier’ without having to care for pets on top of everything else? And yet I can’t imagine life without my 3 dogs (Chihuahuas). I think Sarah said it best in her 12/29/06 post: We are the center of their Universe…and to that I would add that our attention is the highlight of their day. They love us, and we can’t help but love them back. They are our babies that never grow up, who are always hungering for our presence and a little attention, always so happy to see us. The emotional connection I have with my dogs is worth every bit of extra vacuuming, lint brushing and pooper scoopering involved. Maybe us animal lovers are just a little more nuturing ? Maybe we love to be needed ? I don’t know, but I do know that I come from a long, long line of animal lovers….and that it sure comes naturally to me.

Would appreciate anyone’s thoughts on this matter…..

]]> Comment on What draws us to the animals we love? by: Barbara http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5173 Mon, 01 Jan 2007 01:54:25 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5173 It appears the consensus here is that horses are large and intimidating. I have a little fear of heights to begin with, which is probably why I haven't pursued my love of horses in the flesh, only in my mind. I'm content to admire them from afar, so far. But it's like I always tell my big lug of a dog, who sometimes wishes he was lap size (his head is lap size), "You can't help the body you're born with." He sometimes leans on me, or steps -- or sits -- on my foot. Those are the times I thank goodness he's not a horse. But . . . he can't carry me on his back. There are tradeoffs to everything. Cassie-b -- Main Coon cats are so beautiful. They're one of my favorite breeds -- but shoot, I like them all. Eric -- My cat Emily uses mind control on the dog. He's a pushover. Sarah -- I don't know how I would've explained it to my husband if it hadn't happened to both of us before with a cat. Bruce -- Wow, thank you for the book suggestions. I've heard that in the Grand Canyon they put the visitors through a day or two of training before they let them ride the mules down -- and some people don't make the cut. I suppose they must do the same thing at Bryce? I think I'm too much of a fraidy cat. (shiver) No cliffhangers for me, except in fiction. But it is amazing, and you have to wonder how they can be so sure-footed. Violetismycolor -- Yep. There's something very special there sometimes. Happy New Year, everyone! It appears the consensus here is that horses are large and intimidating. I have a little fear of heights to begin with, which is probably why I haven’t pursued my love of horses in the flesh, only in my mind. I’m content to admire them from afar, so far. But it’s like I always tell my big lug of a dog, who sometimes wishes he was lap size (his head is lap size), “You can’t help the body you’re born with.” He sometimes leans on me, or steps — or sits — on my foot. Those are the times I thank goodness he’s not a horse. But . . . he can’t carry me on his back. There are tradeoffs to everything.

Cassie-b — Main Coon cats are so beautiful. They’re one of my favorite breeds — but shoot, I like them all.

Eric — My cat Emily uses mind control on the dog. He’s a pushover.

Sarah — I don’t know how I would’ve explained it to my husband if it hadn’t happened to both of us before with a cat.

Bruce — Wow, thank you for the book suggestions.

I’ve heard that in the Grand Canyon they put the visitors through a day or two of training before they let them ride the mules down — and some people don’t make the cut. I suppose they must do the same thing at Bryce? I think I’m too much of a fraidy cat. (shiver) No cliffhangers for me, except in fiction. But it is amazing, and you have to wonder how they can be so sure-footed.

Violetismycolor — Yep. There’s something very special there sometimes.

Happy New Year, everyone!

]]> Comment on What draws us to the animals we love? by: violetismycolor http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5171 Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:21:19 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5171 You know, I think you are right about the personal connection thing. I have a cat now that I like well enough, but we aren't in love with each other, like I was with my cat-when-I-was-in-college, Minet. She was a lovely all-white goddess and we were so enamored of each other. I haven't really felt that with our other cats. I loved our dog, Barley, that way, too. I am hoping for a new puppy one of these days and I want that special bond. I guess I will have to look for just the right dog. You know, I think you are right about the personal connection thing. I have a cat now that I like well enough, but we aren’t in love with each other, like I was with my cat-when-I-was-in-college, Minet. She was a lovely all-white goddess and we were so enamored of each other. I haven’t really felt that with our other cats. I loved our dog, Barley, that way, too. I am hoping for a new puppy one of these days and I want that special bond. I guess I will have to look for just the right dog.

]]> Comment on What draws us to the animals we love? by: Bruce Black http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5144 Fri, 29 Dec 2006 22:24:23 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5144 Funny that you should strike up a conversation about the mysterious bond between humans and animals... as I just finished Stephanie S. Tolan's young adult novel, Listen! Tolan explores this bond as it evolves between her main character, Charley, a 14 year old girl who is still grieving for the loss of her mother, and Coyote, a wild dog who appears one day.... and there is that immediate connection. Listen! is only one of many books that explore this bond. Kathe Koja's Straydog is one of my absolute favorites, but there are others equally compelling. Jeffrey Moussaiieff Masson wrote a fascinating book, Dogs Never Lie About Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs... and Elizabeth Marshall Thomas has written The Hidden Life of Dogs, as well as The Social Lives of Dogs, two of the best books available on human-dog interaction (in my mind, at least). For the pure joy of stories... you might take a look at a collection of short stories about humans and dogs assembled by the editors of Bark Magazine (one of my favorite magazines!)... called Dog Is My Co-Pilot. Horses? I don't know... they're mysterious, but their size is intimidating... though I did manage to "bond" with a mule this summer while exploring Bryce Canyon with my family. It was very strange... sitting atop this strange animal, trusting him to take me safely down a trail no wider than an eyebrow, with a drop of hundreds of feet to the canyon floor. There was a moment, as we sauntered over the lip of the canyon, when I simply had to trust the animal not to trip or fall or stumble down the cliff... in much the same way, leaping into the unknown page each day, I simply have to trust the process to take me where I need to go... and back again. Happy 2007 to all! Funny that you should strike up a conversation about the mysterious bond between humans and animals… as I just finished Stephanie S. Tolan’s young adult novel, Listen!

Tolan explores this bond as it evolves between her main character, Charley, a 14 year old girl who is still grieving for the loss of her mother, and Coyote, a wild dog who appears one day…. and there is that immediate connection. Listen! is only one of many books that explore this bond. Kathe Koja’s Straydog is one of my absolute favorites, but there are others equally compelling.

Jeffrey Moussaiieff Masson wrote a fascinating book, Dogs Never Lie About Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs… and Elizabeth Marshall Thomas has written The Hidden Life of Dogs, as well as The Social Lives of Dogs, two of the best books available on human-dog interaction (in my mind, at least).

For the pure joy of stories… you might take a look at a collection of short stories about humans and dogs assembled by the editors of Bark Magazine (one of my favorite magazines!)… called Dog Is My Co-Pilot.

Horses? I don’t know… they’re mysterious, but their size is intimidating… though I did manage to “bond” with a mule this summer while exploring Bryce Canyon with my family. It was very strange… sitting atop this strange animal, trusting him to take me safely down a trail no wider than an eyebrow, with a drop of hundreds of feet to the canyon floor.

There was a moment, as we sauntered over the lip of the canyon, when I simply had to trust the animal not to trip or fall or stumble down the cliff… in much the same way, leaping into the unknown page each day, I simply have to trust the process to take me where I need to go… and back again.

Happy 2007 to all!

]]> Comment on What draws us to the animals we love? by: Sarah http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5138 Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:38:26 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5138 Barbara, what you describe is exactly what happened with me and my dog Sam. I wandered into the shelter, not really doing much more than looking. In a cold, wet cage near the back was this half grown shepherd mix and it was love at first sight. I picked him up (heavy, wet, cold) and walked to the front desk and said this is my dog. They thought I was reclaiming my dog and were going to fuss at me for abuse and neglect. I said, no no you don't understand. this is *my* dog now. And he was, for eleven years. I think it's the bonding. You are his (or her) universe; when you're not home, his universe is incomplete; when you return, all's right with the world once again. Always. No exceptions. Who can explain that special bond? I certainly can't, though I've experienced it many times with Major, Sam, Jasmine, E.G., Butterscotch and others, some dogs, some cats. I don't know what it is, but I know it when I feel it. Like a work of art, like a wonderful book. Barbara, what you describe is exactly what happened with me and my dog Sam. I wandered into the shelter, not really doing much more than looking. In a cold, wet cage near the back was this half grown shepherd mix and it was love at first sight. I picked him up (heavy, wet, cold) and walked to the front desk and said this is my dog.

They thought I was reclaiming my dog and were going to fuss at me for abuse and neglect. I said, no no you don’t understand. this is *my* dog now.

And he was, for eleven years. I think it’s the bonding. You are his (or her) universe; when you’re not home, his universe is incomplete; when you return, all’s right with the world once again. Always. No exceptions.

Who can explain that special bond? I certainly can’t, though I’ve experienced it many times with Major, Sam, Jasmine, E.G., Butterscotch and others, some dogs, some cats. I don’t know what it is, but I know it when I feel it. Like a work of art, like a wonderful book.

]]> Comment on What draws us to the animals we love? by: Eric Mayer http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5136 Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:17:47 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5136 I'm also rather frightened of horses. They are big! I suppose I prefer cats to dogs. Maybe because they are somewhat anti-social, like me. Dogs would slap you on the back if they could. Then too, dogs really need a lot more attention than cats so maybe I'm just lazy. If you were in a foxhole, wouldn't you rather have a dog with you? Cats, of course, practice mind control to make us think we want to take them in. I’m also rather frightened of horses. They are big! I suppose I prefer cats to dogs. Maybe because they are somewhat anti-social, like me. Dogs would slap you on the back if they could. Then too, dogs really need a lot more attention than cats so maybe I’m just lazy. If you were in a foxhole, wouldn’t you rather have a dog with you? Cats, of course, practice mind control to make us think we want to take them in.

]]> Comment on What draws us to the animals we love? by: cassie-b http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5127 Fri, 29 Dec 2006 11:42:42 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2006/12/28/what-draws-us-to-the-animals-we-love/#comment-5127 I'm a bit afraid of horses. They're just so big. But when I lived in rural upstate New York, my neighbor had one that I was very fond of. When I met Don, I had a Maine Coon cat, Kelly. He had never had cats and wasn't particularly enamored of them. But when the two of them met, I was definitely second in my cat's eyes. They made a connection - and were best friends ever after. We had Kelly for 14 years. Now we have another Maine Coon cat, Smokey Joe (rescued cat). And Don still loves cats. This one bonded to me from the very first moment. He was really awful looking. His hair was shaved off, and he weighed 10 pounds, when he should have weighed 18. Now he's beautiful, and we're thrilled to have him. I’m a bit afraid of horses. They’re just so big. But when I lived in rural upstate New York, my neighbor had one that I was very fond of.

When I met Don, I had a Maine Coon cat, Kelly. He had never had cats and wasn’t particularly enamored of them. But when the two of them met, I was definitely second in my cat’s eyes.

They made a connection - and were best friends ever after. We had Kelly for 14 years.

Now we have another Maine Coon cat, Smokey Joe (rescued cat). And Don still loves cats. This one bonded to me from the very first moment. He was really awful looking. His hair was shaved off, and he weighed 10 pounds, when he should have weighed 18. Now he’s beautiful, and we’re thrilled to have him.

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