As the French poet, Anatole France, famously said regarding the love of an animal: 

 “Until One Has Loved An Animal, A Part Of One’s Soul Remains Unawakened.”

Watch this space for my new series of blogs exploring this point and just how special the love of an animal truly is. It’s isn’t just about hugs and a rush of oxytocin when it comes to our bond with animals. They also have a different type of intelligence that we don’t fully understand. Those who have pets know that there’s more to animals than science has given them credit for, although that’s changing.

I’ll explore this topic in 3 blogs as I take a 2 week break to be with my dog and friends. These topics will be “why we need animals” and “are we really that different”. The idea is to get some clues about how to appreciate the love of an animal for the benefit of both animal and human. Essentially, animals can help us stop being so overwhelmed by life by connecting us to what’s real. I’ll share the final topic next weekend as I contemplate what else we can experience by collaborating with animals.

“When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.”

Anthony Douglas Williams

Of course not everyone can or wants to have pets or to be around animals. The obvious reasons are allergies and limited space at home. You can still find ways to either bring nature to you in the form of plants and flowers or go for regular weekend breaks in the countryside. As an example, a friend of mine loves his cacti as anyone else would love their pets.

What makes for this special bond and why are finally learning that living in tiny spaces in urban cities probably wasn’t the healthiest strategy? Clearly the pandemic had a lot of influence but perhaps something else is going on? Could we be finally learning the true impact of the industrial revolution and that our roots lie elsewhere? All this and more in the next 3 blogs so keep an eye out. Either way, love is the key.