Have you ever tried to understand somebody who holds a different point of view than your own?

(Of course you have.)

Have you ever tried to get inside their head and work out how they think and why they think that way?

(Yep, because you give a shit about your fellow man.)

Have you ever tried to understand somebody who doesn’t like animals?

(This is a hard one to get my head around.)

I find this difficult because I have always been fascinated by animals, after all, we too are animals and just because we have a brain doesn’t make us any smarter, I reckon.

When an animal lands on me, befriends me, accepts me, even licks my hand, I feel so good about myself and the world and I think ‘How could anyone not have a vested interest in an animal? In all creatures great and small?’

Oh, the things they can teach us. About love – unconditional, and survival and nurturing and cleaning oneself fastidiously! Sure, they don’t always get it right, but, unlike us humans; animals only have instinct to go by.  Humans, well, we have these heavy brains and so-called intelligence, but boy can we mess it up?!

I have many siblings but only half of them share my interest and compassion for animals. I don’t understand what’s wrong with the rest of ‘em. They would prefer not to touch an animal or even be in the same room as an animal. Makes it rather difficult for them to visit me, what with my loyal canine companions keeping me company.  I think my siblings are worried they’ll catch some horrible disease but the truth is that they’re far more likely to catch something from another human. Like apathy to go with their ignorance.

There are some who would prefer a world without animals – perhaps they suffer an animal phobia. They like a world with just shops, restaurants, skyscrapers and traffic. I have been to cities like that all around the world and found them dirty, ugly and sterile. I am left with a deep hunger for something natural like a blade of grass or the wagging tail of a dog.

I would like to round those sorts of people up (cattle dog style) and teach them about our furry friends. About how important a part animals play in our universe, our environment and their effect on our mental and physical health. Running with a dog, listening to birdsong, admiring a centipede. All amazing things. I sound like David Attenborough! Now there is a great advocate for all the creatures in the world.

(This week’s blog is a joint effort by Sniff and Miss Hen)