Until You Have Loved An Animal, Your Soul Will Be Asleep

Until one discovers what it means to love an animal, one does not fully understand what nobility is and the awakening of emotions that can heal our soul. Giving love to a dog, a cat or any living being, no matter how small, restless and unique, is to enrich ourselves and discover that they can have feelings as valuable as ours.

We have all read on numerous occasions the benefits of having a pet at home. Now, what is more interesting is to discover that all this has a clear impact in terms of savings on public health. According to various studies, animals avoid us many visits to the doctor, something that helps health save about 3 million euros at the end of the year in countries such as Germany and Austria.

Each of us could relate with great affection that moment when someone very special came home and… turned it upside down. Like our heart. Something is awakened within us when we adopt a dog, when we rescue a kitten from the street, hungry, dirty and in need of affection.

It is as if a light is turned on deep inside, as if a peculiar mechanism moves the gears of change to help us also, to be better people. We invite you to reflect on it.

The animal “medicine” and miracle therapies

We will start by telling you the case of Claudia, an Alzheimer’s patient who has long since stopped feeling interest in the world. None of the activities carried out in your residence generates any change in your status, except for one:

Claudia has a predilection for one of the dogs. As soon as he sees her, his gaze lights up and his energy stretches to connect strongly to reality. It never fails. Seconds later, this patient picks up the animal, kisses it and tells it endless things. Thanks to this interaction, it has been possible to reduce the administration of various drugs aimed at the physical, cognitive and emotional response.

According to a study published in the journal “Frontiers in Psychology” this “awakening” could be caused by the activation of oxytocin, known as the hormone of love, affection and affection. When its levels increase, a series of psychological and psychophysiological triggers appear that allow people to be more present and, in turn, be more receptive to everything that involves emotional aspects (hugs, caresses, affectionate words …).

The look of our animals

Sometimes an animal can establish a better emotional connection with the gaze than a person

An animal has a truly incredible capacity for emotional connection, whether through a simple gesture or a glance. In fact, it is known that the eye contact between a dog and its owner is so genuine and sincere, that thanks to it the bond between them is strengthened.

According to an interesting study published in the magazine “Science”, dogs recognize our smile, show empathy and even know how to interpret our emotions just by looking into our eyes. All this would be the result of so many years of common evolution, in which an exceptional bond has been created, which goes beyond races or sizes. It emerges directly from the genes and the heart.

We become what we see in the eyes of our pets

It is often said that our dog’s gaze is the best mirror to see the reflection of our soul . It is a truth so certain that it deserves our dwelling on it.

• If any of the animals we have raised shuns us and their gaze reflects fear, there is something wrong. Fear thrives on negative emotional shock.

• Now, few things can be as therapeutic as coming home with low spirits and tears burning like grains of sand in our eyes, to suddenly see ourselves reflected in the gaze of our dog or cat. . It is as if they hugged us and told us that “everything is fine”.

• For our animals we are the most beautiful thing in their world and this does not respond only to the need for food. They, too, long for affection.

• The look of an animal serves as a mirror to promote our “self-acceptance”. His sincere eyes offer us another perspective with which to relativize problems, anxieties and stress. Just hug them and then the world harmonizes again.

That wonderful dose of oxytocin that our pets give us allows us to connect to reality, combine affection with illusion to overcome the daily clouds with greater security. Because we are all “a little asleep” until we have discovered what it is to love an animal.