What do I do when I meet a person for the first time? I shake their hand and I have a quick awkward conversation. If I have a feeling that they are not someone I want to know personally, I end the conversation as soon as that is possible. I know that this sounds bad but sometimes I honestly prefer sitting around bored than making small talk with people. Of course, there are people in my life that I wouldn’t trade for the world, but they are the exception.What do I do when I meet animals for the first time? I want to pet them, hug them and kiss them. I want to take them home and make them my best friends.
I love animals and reflecting on the nature of my relationships with humans, and I acknowledge that I’m simply more comfortable around animals than around people.
Animals unlike people are never deceitful or dishonest. They don’t judge or even care what I look like. They don’t even pretend to like me like some of the people I have come across. It always amazing to see that someone is genuinely happy to see me. They never disappoint me. Animals can even eliminate social anxiety that can be normal in human-human interactions.
The connection between humans and animals can be very powerful and mutually beneficial to both, so it is not surprising that animals are good for people. They give people a loving companion to care for. They encourage touch, conversation and often laughter. They can even cause us to exercise and offer an antidote for loneliness of people. Yet, benefits are not just emotional. House pets can boost infant immunity to infections, help with mental health disorders by affecting brain chemistry, and lower blood pressure.
I absolutely adore most animals. They are the best!
Here are some pictures from my trip to the Timbavati Wildlife Park in Wisconsin Dells form this summer. I had a lot of fun! I hope you like them.
Instinctive Fails 
I can totally relate to being more comfortable around animals as opposed to people and I think that is one of the several reasons I enjoyed this entry. As you said it seems easier to get along with them because they really have no ulterior motives and you don’t have to worry about what they think of you, I often feel the same way interacting with small children as opposed to other adults. Your post was informative-I really liked hearing about the benefits house pets could bring to people. Also, I love the pictures, especially the last one!
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Thanks Sarah, I wanted to take that giraffe home, she was so cute:)
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This is a great post. I really enjoyed reading this and laughed when you said you would rather sit at home than make awkward small talk because I am the same way. Although I love to socialize with friends, sometimes I would prefer to cuddle up in bed with my dog and binge watch a Netflix series. I agree and think it is true that it is our human instinct to love animals (sometimes more than people).
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I so relate to this post. Animals > people any day. When people question when I’ll have kids, I respond with something dog related like, “Oh I’ll just have my 7 dogs and be good,” or “No kids, just dogs. Lots and lots of dogs.” Zoos, aquariums, and shelters are my favorite date places, honestly.
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Those sure are awesome date places. My boyfriend and I go to pet-stores, just to play with dogs. We want to adopt a puppy when we move in together someday.
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I feel the same way in that there’s something that connects people to animals more than human to human interaction. It’s an interesting phenomenon you bring up here. We’ve all, including me, have experienced meeting someone new or even someone we know; it can and does get awkward at times and we can’t help it. It sucks. But put any nice and loving animal in front of us, and it’s instant connection between us and we feel a sense of love and longing no matter the circumstances. Great post and I love the personal insight you include along with the pictures! Hope you had fun there!
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Thank you. I did have a lot of fun. I was able to take selfie with giraffes!
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