Three Reasons Why Animals are Better than People

Don’t worry: this isn’t necessarily a “I hate people” piece. It’s more of a “when people let you down, turn to animals” type of piece. I tend to like people, or at the very least I give everyone a chance to show their true colors.

Sometimes those true colors are calf-scour yellow and four-day-old bruise, though, if you know what I mean. If you’re dealing with those kinds of people in your life right now, and aren’t we all to some extent, it’s good to have animals around to balance out the negative. I recommend sheep, but you do you. Here are three reasons why animals are better than people:

• They’re authentic. No animals are out there trying to show you “Instagram perfect” or hugging you just so they can stab you in the back. Serious, is there anything worse than a fake person? Other than the occasional cold-backed mare, you get what you get with animals. Even if they’re going to misbehave, there are enough warning signs that you don’t end up flat-footed with mouth open in total surprise. How do you know a lamb is going to try to get away from you in the ring? They drop their head. How do you know a ewe doesn’t want you snuggling her baby? She stomps her foot. I mean, that’s just adorable, and of course I’m going to snuggle your lamb, but thanks for trying. They’re their authentic selves, and you always know what to expect.

• They’re kind. Did you know the dog was domesticated over 15,000 years ago? That’s like 105,000 dog years! For context, mammoths still roamed their earth when we were calling dogs “good boys.” We domesticated them not just for food production but to become our companions. Part of the reason they are so kind because they’re tuned to our emotions. If you tell your dog a story about how bad of a day you had, they’ll likely rest their chin on your arm and gaze at you with worried eyes. If you tell the same story to some people, they’ll tell you how they’re day was much worse than yours. We’re in constant competition with one another, animals do not feel the need to be better than us.
  

• They boost your serotonin. It’s one of the happy chemicals your brain produces, and whether you struggle with mental health in general, you’re sick of winter, or you’ve had a rough week, you could use a little ump in your mood. Studies show hanging around animals – whether they fly, frolic, or swim – actually increases your mood. You know, to fix whatever temporary emotional damage people have caused. Just the act of petting an animal or gazing lovingly into their eyes (you know you do it) increases the serotonin production and decreases the cortisol production in your brain. If you don’t believe me, check out this webmd.com article. Maybe this is why the villains in spy movies – or Dr. Evil in Austin Powers – are always seen petting a cat. Being evil all the time may be more stressful than I previously thought. Perhaps it’s a topic for another blog.

As a society, we can all work harder to be a little more authentic, and kinder, and to boost the serotonin in the people around us. As the adage goes, “Be the person your dog (or sheep, or fish, or iguana) thinks you are.” And go buy yourself a fish for your office!

Note: If you are feeling depressed, seek help from a licensed therapist. Animals are better than people, but they aren’t going to fix a literal chemical imbalance in your brain. That’s what therapists are for.