Sometimes, when I am feeling lonely, I look up and the sky is a beautiful shade of blue and the clouds kind of hang there, just so fluffy and white, with that little grayish blue undertone that makes them look like ice cream in cones, and that is when the universe reminds me that I am not alone. It is hard for me to remember sometimes that I am always in relation to something, always connected. I am in relations to the earth, and other humans, and the animals, and to myself. I heard a news report yesterday about the zillions of little microscopic organisms that live on our bodies, so even when you think you are alone, you are not (now that is kind of creepy). I wonder sometimes if I surround myself with furry pets so that, when the other humans are not around, I still have some life form with me to connect to. I am one of those people that needs to physically connect to other living things or I feel off balance. (There is actual medical advice now that supports prescribing four hugs per day to a patient suffering from depression. eight hugs per day to achieve mental stability and twelve hugs per day for real psychological growth. If this is the case, touch has a greater significance than most of us would realize. (US National Library of Medicine))
I replenish my energy through the cuddling of a cat and the petting of a dog. (Now I do not want you to think I am weird, I do mostly replenish my energies through my interaction with humans (especially my significant humans) but that is for another blog (this one is about animals, remember).) Each of my animals has their own way of asking and receiving physical contact from the humans and from each other. Lulu does not like a lot of petting, except from me, and she can be very demanding several times a day wanting to be rubbed and hugged and scratched. Sofie will lie on Louise, and Lulu can tolerate it for a few minutes, but then she gets up and moves to another spot (because that is all the connection Lulu can take). Sofie on the other hand, craves tummy rubs and hugs and will make sure to ask for them morning and night, from anyone and everyone. She will not go to sleep however, until she has had a few minutes of Mommy cuddle time. She will whine in her crate if I try to put her to bed without that physical connection. Sofie and Nine, the cat, do a lovey dance (at least the ones that I observe) fur to fur, several times a week. Cats lie on laps, dogs lie on feet, dogs lie on dogs…. you get the picture. The power of touch, the power of interconnection between living bodies, it is critical to the well being here at the zoo.
How about in your house? How do you and your furry friend physically connect? How many hugs a day do you need?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
DogDaz Zoo 
jmgoyder
September 14, 2012 at 00:32
This is a wonderful post and so true. It made me realize I also need to give more hugs – thank you!
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dogdaz
September 14, 2012 at 07:45
You are very welcome. Sending virtual hugs ((((())))))
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barb19
September 14, 2012 at 01:02
Great post!
I hug my dog many times during the day – I just can’t help it! She loves that connection, and actually asks for it! We connect with her all the time by speaking to her – and she sits there and listens like she knows everything we say to her. She is very much in sinc with mine and my husband’s feeling.
My friend lost her dog last week and she told me to treasure every single second with my dog, because we don’t know how long we will have them for.
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dogdaz
September 14, 2012 at 07:47
Very true Barb. We don’t know how long we have with anyone or anything, so enjoy them and love them and make the connection. I do love how animals just know us, don’t they?
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Misty Shores Chesapeakes
September 14, 2012 at 01:28
Great post!! Riva and Maia are cuddlers and lovers, Cheyenne not so much but she does love her head and ears rubbed and just to be next to me 🙂 Titan is a belly rubber all the way!
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dogdaz
September 14, 2012 at 07:47
They have their own personalities. I like my head rubbed too.
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themisadventuresofmisaki
September 14, 2012 at 05:16
I would happily lie on my back all day and have my belly rubbed:-)
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dogdaz
September 14, 2012 at 07:48
That would be fun.
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Long Life Cats and Dogs
September 14, 2012 at 06:36
Oh dear, my poor animals are going to suffer horribly after this post. Some of them like hugs – others, not so much but, irrespective, for their’s and my mental health, they shall all now be subjected to a minimum of 12 hugs per day 🙂
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dogdaz
September 14, 2012 at 07:48
The 12 were for you, so you can divide it by the number of animals. LOL
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Long Life Cats and Dogs
September 15, 2012 at 04:57
Oh no – they’re not getting out of 12 each. It’s important that they reach optimum balance as well! 🙂
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bumpyroadtobubba
September 14, 2012 at 07:04
I’m lucky all three of my gorgeous creatures love hugs. Hugs from me and hugs from each other. Bella and Beary like to lay with some part of them touching the other. Bubba likes to cuddle both dogs before bed (and at other times if they are in snuggle range), and the dogs and I have our cuddle time after Bubba goes to sleep.
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dogdaz
September 14, 2012 at 07:50
Sounds like heaven at your house. I remember when Peanut liked to cuddle (until about 12). Once they grow up, you kind of get air kisses for awhile. LOL
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bumpyroadtobubba
September 14, 2012 at 17:07
*sad face* good reason to always have pets (and hopefully a husband by then too)!
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dogdaz
September 14, 2012 at 19:31
I know that good things will come your way, just by the way you take care of your family. 🙂
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Bassas Blog
September 15, 2012 at 07:49
Beautifully written.
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dogdaz
September 15, 2012 at 08:15
Thanks you for the compliment.
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Jessica
September 30, 2012 at 10:58
Another great post! Your description of Sofie’s interaction with Lulu is hilarious (“Ok, Sofie, you can give me a hug….ok, I love you, too….ok, GOTTA GO NOW!”).
As for us, Taylor has this ritual when her mommy and daddy come home from work: as soon as we come home (Mommy, early afternoon; Daddy, late at night), we meet Taylor on her futon for some cuddle time. 🙂
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dogdaz
September 30, 2012 at 18:56
That is so cute. Rituals are so important to animals. They are great teachers.
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