Perhaps you have a pet, or like to visit a wild bird or animal. You like to spend time with that animal as much as you would a human friend. You might get some funny looks and teasing for choosing an animal friendship. But it is precisely the non-human aspects of animals that make such a beneficial companion for you.

It is traditional to think that humans are the most superior beings on earth. Organized religions teach that humans are the only creatures with souls, and therefore sacred. Many organized religions teach that God looks like a human being. Over the millennia, this teaching has thoroughly permeated societies all over the world. Humans come first, and nothing else matters.

While it cannot be proven that animals have souls, it cannot be proven that people do, too. It also cannot be proven what God looks like. If a friend is someone who loves you, helps you and is there for you when times are tough, then animals make better friends than most people.

Animals don’t talk. This has its disadvantages as well as advantages. Animals can’t insult you. They might pee or poo on you, but that they mean nothing personal in their natural functions. Animals don’t lie. Animals don’t charm you into marrying them and then run off with all of your money and pride. Animals tend to live in the moment and don’t bring up any past grudges.

But just because animals don’t talk, doesn’t mean that animals can’t communicate. By carefully observing their body language, you can easily tell if your animal friend is happy, sad, sick, or asking you to play. Many involved in animal friendships insist that their animal friends communicate very clearly. This is not wishful thinking. If you ever had laryngitis or could not talk, you quickly figure out how to communicate, even without having to write anything down. Just by observing, people can figure out what you need by your facial expression, body posture and eye contact.
It takes a longer time to figure out a system of communication in an animal friendship than it is with a human friendship. Its takes time and patience, usually over months or even years. A lot of people don’t have the patience to learn to communicate with animals, so they give up and insist animals are stupid.

Taking the time to develop an animal friendship makes you see the world from the animal’s point of view. You realize what a complex world they live in, and become honored that they choose to share it with you. By learning this, you can learn to empathies with anyone, animal or human, and become a more compassionate person.

There are also many medical benefits of developing an animal friendship. Petting a dog or cat has been scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure. Walking your dog or riding a horse gives you exercise that you need anyway. Animals can make you laugh, which reduces stress. We all need stress reduced, as it can make us more susceptible to catching any illnesses floating around. And animals can warn you of dangers you can’t hear or see which can save your life.