Those Trusting Critters

”Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.” ~Alfred A. Montapert

When rescuing animals over the years, whether they are chickens, ducks, turkeys, peacocks, sheep, parrots, dogs, cats or others, I’ve had the most astounding realization that no matter what humans have done to them in the past – trust always comes back.

They may remain shy or apprehensive over the years, but after being treated kindly and fed good food and fresh water with a safe place to call home, every animal I have ever rescued learns to trust again.  I have never had a single critter not trust me eventually.

Many think its the same with humans to some extent, but it isn’t.  With human animals there is much more hesitation that sometimes never leaves and it is much more difficult to build trust again.  Most humans will avoid things, places, or even people who remind them of a bad event, and some never recover.

Animals, especially dogs I’ve known who have been neglected or abused, come around eventually to be the trusting souls they once were.  There are exceptions, however, the biggest percentage are trusting and loving companions after surviving some of the most heinous crimes imaginable.

I wonder if that makes them more tolerable and loving beings because of their acceptance and forgiveness.

I like to think so.  Which makes me prefer the company of animals to humans, 9 times out of 10.  I know some might think this unusual or bizarre – but to someone who has been burned too many times to count, astonishingly I am still trusting – however, I am not a fan of our human race.  I think that too many human beings are extremely self-absorbed and self intentioned and could care less about those around them, especially animals.  There are too few that reach out for kindly reasons and kindly reasons alone.  At least in my experience.

Animals do reach out for kindly reasons based on love, curiosity, and trust,  and they love without any hesitation and without conditions.  As long as they feel loved they are the best companions any human could ask!

So when people tell me I should quit isolating – I tell them… I’m where I wanna be.  With those who love me unconditionally and who would never mistreat me.

It is a comfort and a love that I wouldn’t trade for anything.