Just wrote to Vanessa about her kitty and her thoughts on animals and love,
and had to share my views on this with all of you.
 
Do animals feel love, and how does it differ from humans.  Well, in my own
humble opinion, animals give love unconditionally.  They don't expect much
in return except unconditional love.  An animal doesn't want your money,
sex, gifts.  They want your hugs, your kisses, your petting them, your
care.  In return they give us their love without any type of bond except
that which binds our hearts to them.
 
When it comes time for them to leave us, they try to convey this to us.
Case in point-I had a horse for over 20 years.  The day I lost her I'd
left work to try to save her, but unfortunately it was not to be.  As the
vet and I walked to her in the pasture (she'd walked to the back of the
pasture), she turned her head to me and gave me the loudest knicker/whinny
I'd ever heard.  She was telling me it was all right, telling me goodby.
As she left me, her head was in my hands-I had to be helped from the
pasture I cried so hard.  As with our fuzzies/cats/dogs-they too know
when it is time to leave us, and try to make this parting as painless as
possible.  Some animals leave us when we're not with them.  Perhaps for
them this is easier, and they hope easier on us.  Some we hold as they
leave, some we have to have someone assist them to the bridge.  But their
love is with us as ours with them.  Their spirits linger with us-you see
them in the corner of your eye, feel them sitting on you, brushing up
against you, hear them doing something-you just can't catch them fully.
 
No, no one ever doubt that animals do not feel love.  Look into their eyes
and see it.  Some feel animals have no soul, I know-I work with someone
like that.  No amount of talking would change that person's mind, for
she believes that they don't go to the bridge or to heaven.  But, always
remember that the Bible says God knows when a sparrow falls, so He knows it
all.  For those that don't believe in the Bible and God, well, you still
have to believe something, and hopefully you believe that your beloved fur
child waits for you somewhere.  I'm not trying to start a religious debate
here-so please don't roll with this thread.  This is my thoughts, my
perceptions.  Animals love-different from humans, but animals love.
 
Rebecca & the Crew of Merry Mayhem
"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste
 good with ketchup"
[Posted in FML issue 3155]