Thursday, February 12, 2009

"The love that dare not bark its name"

Salon explores a particular drug addiction

While many cat or dog people feel self-conscious or embarrassed about the intensity of their relationships with their animals, Daley Olmert offers a spirited defense of those feelings, suggesting that the capacity to bond with an animal deeply is nothing to feel ashamed about. It is even rooted deeply in our natures.

"Touch releases oxytocin in humans and animals. Oxytocin is one of the most powerful hormones that the body makes. This is a chemical that is responsible for social bonding.

"When you pat your [pet], you should be getting a release of oxytocin, as should your [pet], too, that slows your heart rate down, lowers your stress response. You feel this warmth and this attachment, as does the [pet]. So you're getting an emotional and a physiological anti-stress response. It's a wonderful renewable system."

Some of my dealers over the years. I've loved them all madly:







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