"But friendship is precious, not only in the shade but in the sunshine of life…"

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade but in the sunshine of life

Maybe the strongest reason we have for loving our animals is their friendship. The horses don’t care what we look like, sound like, or about the troubles we humans have…but they do care about how we interact with them. Some of my best friends over the years have been horses.

What do you think animals offer us in friendship over people?

 

 

12 Comments

  1. Janette on November 4, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    I find verbally communicating very tiring. So winning the trust of animals silently, deeply warms my soul. All creatures great and small, they don’t need to become pets, just a brief encounter is like a bank deposit for my soul. Although I value my human friends, I have a deeper connection with the silent world of the animals. The animals don’t care for words they just care for comfort. It’s empowering to me to help animals feel comfort. I have the same desire to help humans feel comfort, but complex human emotions distort simple kindness. I get buy with a little help from my human friends, but the happy animals which surround me give me a deep sense of contentment.

  2. Tom on November 3, 2014 at 9:41 am

    Your horse will never cheat on you or lie to you…. Those are priceless attributes of a relationship!

  3. Donna Fitzgerald on November 3, 2014 at 9:22 am

    They are always there for us, awaiting with expectation to the next meeting. They love us unconditionally and are always willing to listen to our problems. They are wonderful therapists!

  4. johanna on November 2, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    aside from my previous response, the following condition i also treasure about domestic animals, rightly or wrongly:

    domestic animals (most wild animals don’t fit into this), are unique in that they really truly can be one’s own–i.e. ownership.
    one can say ”my daughter” or ”my husband”–but these beings can never be ”ours”, actually.

    kids grow into adults and adults are really ”their own person”, partners can leave and start relationships on the other side of the world. we don’t own other humans.

    owning a horse or a dog or a goat usually means a relationship that can be carried on from both sides for as long as that animal lives, should the human want that.
    there is something wonderful about ”my dog” or my horse” that implies a lifelong partnership guarantee (which in the best sense also means both parties WILL work together for mutual responsibility, trust, and perhaps love finally).

    it isn’t a guarantee with humans–which is different, and also great.

    i guess that implies a selfishness on my part, i don’t know…or maybe a need for something tangible i can be absolutely sure of…but it is very reassuring and comforting to have one thing like this in a world where nothing is sure.

  5. Teresa on November 2, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    They teach us the truth about ourselves. If you are kind, compassionate, aggressive, shy, intimidating….if you have the sense to listen they will show you what you are. Better still if you need to change they will tell you if you have or where you need to do some more work. They will also tell you the truth of those around you. If my critters don’t like someone I take that as a warning to be weary. If I am having trouble with one of my animals I start looking at myself to see where I’ve gone wrong.

  6. johanna on November 2, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    truth–in any way you can think of
    honesty
    for humans, a window into Nature

  7. Ann Kernechel on November 2, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    Horses are tuned into us and understand when we are sad. I had a paint mare when I was 14 and she was my best friend and as a novice she did everything to protect me as I learned how to ride. She was my best friend and I spent a lot of time with her….I expect to see her in heaven and be her best friend again

  8. Sharon Hill on November 2, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    My first thought is silence. No complaining, comparing or criticizing.

  9. Brenda Casteel on November 2, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Horses and dogs, unconditional love, cats maybe sometime !!!!!

  10. patsy24 on November 2, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    Oh my goodness, just everything!!! Great question. They are the lights of my life. I couldn’t live without them. They are intuitive and instinctive, in touch with themselves and have simplicity to their emotions. They are grateful, giving and appreciative and show it to you. They are so natural still. I think stormidnight summed it up well also.

  11. Rozanne Charington on November 2, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    There is NO JUDGMENT… they don’t care what you look like, if you’re rich or poor, what you have or don’t have…. and they offer pretty much unconditional love… if you love them, respect their space as they respect yours… they will love you back…. with trust!! ….. unless of course, you shake a plastic bag in front of them… Ha! 🙂

  12. stormidnight on November 2, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    They teach us how to live, if we pay attention.

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