When your cat looks up at you with adoring eyes, are you ever amazed at how this bond could even be possible? How do pets know to look us in the eyes, rather than at our feet, hands or even some other part of our face? They seem to understand our essence is through our eyes. Somehow they know how to connect to our souls. Other than humans, which animals experience this bond as a whole with another species?

I’ve noticed that wild animals at zoos don’t look us in the eyes; that’s unique to companion animals. Cats, dogs and horses, in particular, fill me with awe and appreciation. These species have been companions of, helpers to and, sadly, exploited by humans, too. Horses have worked hard for people for millennia; they’ve taken humans across continents and into battle. Dogs have guided the blind and rescued countless people from danger. Cats have had their own unique relationship with humans. They protected food supplies from rodents on farms and ships and even were worshipped for their beauty and athleticism.