Animal Writings

I was watching a baseball game on TV last year. I think it was game five of the National League Championship Series, in which the Philadelphia Phillies advanced to the World Series, but I'm not sure. As soon as the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies' opponent, made the last out, which meant that Philadelphia was the league champion and would go on to the World series, it was mayhem.

You know the scene: The catcher sprints out to the pitcher and jumps in his arms. The outfielders come running in, half leaping, fists pumping the air. The dugout empties out and pours onto the field. Everyone piles on, whoopin' and hollerin'. Players hug each other and kiss their wives. The fans go crazy; some rush the field.

In the clubhouse, players uncork champagne and pour it over their teammates and the coaches. Some are laughing, some are crying.

It's pure, unbridled joy.

I got to thinking afterward...Many of our most treasured moments have nothing to do with logic or analytical thinking. They're pure emotion. Sometimes intense emotion. That's something deep and defining that we share with nonhumans.

Being with friends and loved ones. Feeling the warm sun on a summer afternoon. So-called "little things" like walking the dog around the block, or playing with our kids.

When we lose someone close to us, we may grieve deeply. Often so do animals; there are countless stories of animals who become despondent and profoundly depressed after losing a long-time companion. It is beccoming well-known in veterinary circles that animals may be very emotional and sometimes even require antidepressants.

Whether one can understand quadratic equations or design bridges has no bearing on their capacity to feel pain and joy, fear and elation, sadness and happiness, or the bonds of friendship and love. We've shared these traits with animals for millions of year. It's part of life. Part of our animalhood. Something to celebrate. It's one of the glorious ways in which humans and nonhumans are similar. It may be one of the bases that lets individuals from different species form relationships with one another, enjoy each others' company, and grow attached to each other and miss each other.

Labels: bonds to animals, emotions