Choosing animals over humans
I read something last year, or maybe earlier, that said: 'We never push away pets or animals but only humans when we are very low. The reason is that we feel they won’t judge us or maybe because they feel like a safe place.' To some extent, I feel this reflects the reality of our time.
I don’t personally feel this way, but I understand it. The world may not always seem like a good place—it’s a place where many people appear "bad." Still, I truly believe that nobody is inherently bad. Often, it’s just that people are selfish, or maybe overly selfish, as they try to protect themselves, their interests, or those they care about.
But then, there are people who genuinely care—people who offer their help with good intentions. Isn’t it a bit strange that, in our vulnerability, we often choose animals over humans? I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that—animals are incredible companions, and I feel that too. But from the perspective of someone who genuinely wants to help, it might sting. They may wonder:Is that animal better than me?
This isn’t about saying one choice is right or wrong; it’s just something I’ve been reflecting on.
@searchingSoul01 I think for a lot of people animals bring comfort. I often prefer the company of animals over people. Animals accept you as you are. With people I feel like I have to pretend that I'm alright. People seem to get tired of dealing with other people who have mental health issues. They just want you to act happy and normal. They don't like if you're depressed or grieving or anxious. Just my experience
@mytwistedsoul Awww, I'm sorry that's been your experience. The people you're around and closest to you should be accepting of you and non-judgemental. You shouldn't have to fake and pretend to be ok or happy. That's got to be exhausting, Twisted. Regardless, I hope you do know there are good people in life who genuinely care. I hope you get more of that in your life, so you feel loved, cared about, valued, and heard. ♡
@YourCaringConfidant Aww thank you so much for your reply! 💜 I hope to find all that too some day.
@searchingSoul01
Thank you for sharing this insight. It was good to read.
@searchingSoul01, this got me thinking, haha. I will be more mindful about this when going through a tough time. The last thing I would want is for someone I love to feel unworthy of my attention.
@searchingSoul01
Yeah, I hear what you mean and appreciate your reflections. When you're in a difficult situation, you approach those who are least likely to judge you and who you know you can trust. Animals do this unconditionally, but humans are more unpredictable. This is why you should always present yourself to others as non-judgemental and let them know that you'll listen with an open mind.
Hi @listeningneighbor I appreciate you understand this point of view it wasn't about me but yeah in general
Thank you for sharing this insight! That line about how we never push animals away really struck me, too. There’s a certain purity in the way animals love us—without expectations, judgment, or emotional complexity. They just are, and that simplicity can feel incredibly safe when we’re overwhelmed or hurting.
I appreciate your point about people not being inherently bad but acting from a place of self-protection. That reframing brings a lot of compassion into how we view human behavior. And I think you’re right—when someone truly wants to help and sees us turning toward a pet instead, it can hurt. But I don’t think it’s a rejection of them as a person—it’s more about where we are emotionally. Sometimes, we just don’t have the energy to explain ourselves to another human, even if they care deeply.
To me, it’s not about who’s better—animal or human—it’s about what we feel capable of receiving at that moment.
@StrawberryHufflepuff
Thankyou for sharing what you feel about it. I really appreciate your understanding and the fact that it it's not our rejection as a person. Still even though our rational mind understands it but when we are emotional at times it becomes difficult to make ourselves understand that, anyways it was good to hear that ☺️
You created a very helpful trigger and perspective point of view or idea that challenges the common view even with ailment or sickness or disorder they'll stop and they will ask themselves I don't think you have to be a bad or a good person to understand the dichotomy of questioning one's life based on the premise of a dog that will always love you until it learns whether it's better than me as a human I don't think it stings but it distracts them from what's really got their attention questioning themselves are not attuned to themselves having no self-care self-worth but still having the passion for the dog and question its nature in a rank point of view are you a genius???
@searchingSoul01
Totally understand you! And yes, animals are wonder✨
@searchingSoul01
ChatGPT said:
@searchingSoul01
This is actually such a soft and thoughtful reflection. I think sometimes animals feel safer because they do not require us to explain our pain, and that kind of presence feels like love without the risk of being misunderstood.