Next time you see a man tossing a ball to a dog, throwing a Frisbee or stroking a cat: watch carefully. There is magic in the interaction. Pure magic.
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Despite not having a male role model while growing up, I’ve still managed to pick up tidbits here and there about the makeup of a “good man.” There were a few things back then that were brought to my attention and warranted storage in my memory banks:
1 – I don’t trust a man who doesn’t treat his mother well. If he doesn’t treat his mother well, what makes a woman think he’ll treat her well? He has no moral compass.
2 – If a man is cruel to animals, there’s a good chance (in my mind) that he’ll be cruel to women too. If animals shy away from him, that is RED FLAG that a woman should too.
For some reason, these two warnings resonated loudly with me. Although I have made many mistakes in the past about judging a man’s character, I clung to these painfully simple pieces of valuable insight. Over the years I have learned that the warnings are very true and I’ve come to know that:
Real men love animals.
Depending on your spiritual beliefs, you may recognize that animals are a powerful force in the universe. Many ancient religions including Shamanism, Druidism and other Native American practices have long revered animals as spirit guides and religious totems. Animals, according to certain religious observances and practices, are to be loved, cherished, feared, respected and revered for their sacrifices for us including the ultimate one so that we may eat. In perfect worlds past, man and beast have worked together, alongside each other, equally dependent upon each other for survival.
It’s a common daily practice for millions of people around the world to give thanks and grace to God(s) and the Creator while sitting at the dinner table. We thank our deity(ies) for providing means (money or hunting skills) to have acquired the meal (animal sacrifice) and also blessing the people who prepared the meal. At my table, however, I take special care to also give thanks to the animal that was sacrificed to be on my plate solely for the purpose of filling my belly.
According to SpiritHow-To.com:
“Birds and animals have been used as symbols in every culture throughout time. The Egyptians used animal heads on their gods and birds such as the Iris were used to represent the Moon God Thoth. Animals have been used on badges on heraldic arms, shields to represent qualities that individuals, families or communities possessed. Birds were used to symbolize freedom, the soul transcending from the body, and they are connected with divinity and power and victory. In mythologies throughout the world they are depicted as ‘messengers of the gods.'”
What’sYour Sign.com offers an extensive list of animals and the spiritual meanings of each one.
If a man loves animals, it would suggest that he is comfortable with showing compassion, empathy and sensitivity to other living creatures. If this is true, think about how well he will treat you – his wife, his partner, his friend, his lover. He will transfer those same loving techniques between you and his pets, equally and just as delicately. He understands and thrives on those windows of opportunity when he can relinquish his macho exterior and roll around on the floor to spoon with and get kissed by a wet-nosed dog. Letting a cat chill out on his shoulder while napping or letting his buddy ride shotgun in the passenger seat is the sexiest display of true manhood there ever could be. It is a ritual bonding, a rekindling of the ancient history between man and beast.
Next time you see a man tossing a ball to a dog, throwing a Frisbee or stroking a cat: watch carefully. There is magic in the interaction. Pure magic.
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I would love to talk to someone who is interested in the same thing as me. Do you have any idea of what kind of dog to get?
– AMEN.
There should be no gender differentiation about treating animals – both men and women have to protect their rights and be respectful to pets!
I agree. Keep your pet safe and happy.
My ex was very abusive in every way. His mother was queen of his world, his animals were cherished and spoiled, children loved him, and he was the cruelest sickest man I’ve had the misfortune to know. I agree with the premise that a man – or any person – who is cruel to animals is likely to be cruel to a partner. The reverse is in no way to be counted on. I’m also hesitant to say that someone who treats a parent poorly will not be a good partner. It makes no allowance for things like abuse and… Read more »
I know a good man who once had a bad experience with a dog. He is in no way cruel to dogs, but he doesn’t much want to be around them either. And when he is around them, he doesn’t want to touch them. This man is thoughtful, funny, intelligent and gentle. I also know of a man who owned a dog kennel. He was amazingly thoughtful to the animals, not abusive to them in the least, but he was actually pretty cruel and nasty to his emoployees. Like J, there is a big difference between not being cruel to… Read more »
Congratulations, Carlette, on an insightful article… and one that you develop logically from your original premise. I agree thoroughly that the way a person in general treats animals, children, ones Mother… IS a valid barometer reading of how that person might treat a significant Other, and for the exact reasons you state. I LOVE the photo !! And for the record… people often remark that their cats will come to me when they would not come to anyone else they know. But then I am a “cat person” of long, long standing,,,
disagree with this… Just kicked out husband from 3 years of abuse with the help of the police.. Have IVO against him for DV.. He treated the dogs 100% better than us and treated us and his mother like shit… Go figure hey….
nice, just keep on with that whole “Real men” thing..
Also nice false dichtomy you’ve set up. “Loves animals ” or “Is cruel to Animals”.
What about “Chooses not to own animals, but isn’t cruel to animals”? I have no desire to own a pet, it’s extra cost and extra responsibility that I simply have no desire for. But that doesn’t mean I’m cruel to animals.