Animal Magnetism

All our lives, my wife and I have been animal lovers. I remember watching 'Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom' and the National Geographic specials about wild animals. I have amassed quite a collection of useless facts about animals, and I still watch wildlife documentaries whenever possible. Although my wife and I both have many animals that we have soft spots for, we each have one animal in particular that is our absolute favorite.

For my wife it's horses. She likes the fact that they are powerful animals but can also be gentle. They are loyal and seem to have a knack for understanding people. They can be tamed but still retain their wild spirit, which can manifest itself at any moment. I came up with a perfect example of the dual nature of horses and it is this: Picture a herd of horses running full speed across a grassy plain, muscles straining and manes flowing as they kick up a cloud of dust while thundering past you. Now picture a single horse, patiently walking around a corral carrying a handicapped child that has never known what it's like to walk. That's quite a contrast.

We recently saw a show called 'Cavalia', which was put together by the creator of Cirque du Soleil and was all about horses. It was spectacular, and really showcased what horses are all about and the special bond that can develop between people and horses. There was also quite a variety of sizes and colors of horses in the show as well.

My favorite has always been wolves. I think it has to do with the fact that they are the epitome of Nature: They can be fierce predators, stealthy and always alert, but are also devoted to their pack and cubs. They are very intelligent and cunning, and also very misunderstood by the general public. And there's just something about their gaze that gives me chills. I remember going to a zoo several years ago that had wolves. It was the only zoo I have ever been to that had them, and as I approached the fence overlooking the enclosure one of the wolves lifted it's head and howled. I was literally moved to tears.

Do you have a favorite animal? What is it about them that you like?