6 Subtle Signs Your Pet Is Your Soulmate (Even If You Don't Realize It Right Away)
Sometimes the bond with a pet runs deeper than companionship.
Photo Book Pro | Shutterstock Have you ever rested forehead to forehead with an animal? Dog, cat, horse, bunny, it doesn't matter what species, you will probably feel a connection. The connection defies words, but is felt so strongly that it seems science should be able to explain.
Domesticated animals and humans share an evolutionary bond, from a favorite feline who lazily rests on your desk while you work to a highly trained service canine capable of sniffing out and noticing the slightest change in body chemistry.
Here are six subtle signs your pet is your soulmate, even if you don't realize it right away:
1. They instinctively know what you need
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A sure sign of a deep human-animal bond is when a pet knows what you need, even before you do, explains psychologist Patricia O'Gorman, PhD. An animal can intuit and respond to cues that you’re not even aware of, be this your need for affection, protection, or a good laugh.
This is best exemplified by the intuitively beneficial bond between human and horse. A qualitative study explored how riders perceive and understand the relationship with their horse. The researchers identified the existence of the four C's (closeness, commitment, complementarity, and co-orientation) in successful and mutually beneficial horse-rider relationships.
2. They have an instant bond with you
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Therapist Dr. Gloria Brame retells how it was a love at first sight kind of situation with her pet: I opened my arms to this 8-week-old mixed-breed blob of fuzz, and she jumped right in and nestled against me, happy as could be, and didn't want to leave. I could tell her sweet little puppy self, with new pink paws and a tiny, wiggling tail, had chosen me for life, and that's just how it'd be from now on.
Eight years later, she still proves it to me every day. Wherever I go, she follows. At night, she is the little spoon. We comfort each other. It's our bond.
The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial relationship, according to a Frontiers in Psychology study that showed oxytocin and human-animal interactions effects largely overlap, as documented by research in both humans and animals.
3. They share your sensitivities
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Life coach Lisa Petsinis says while most people bond over a love of chocolate, you and your furry companion are united in mealtime caution. It’s not just you skipping grains or chicken — they’re right there with you, offering a solidarity meow or bark that says, “please don’t make me regret this later.”
It's funny how food issues make you closer, and meal planning becomes a joint venture. You’re scanning the ingredient list while they are sniff-testing the kibble, and somehow you both know when something isn’t right. When nobody else really gets it, your pet does, proving that soulmates aren’t just about cuddles, but about understanding the little struggles, too.
4. They continue to visit you after they pass
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The mystical experiences that brought my dog Max into my life were so unusual, and every year that we were together, there were more and more indications of divine involvement, explains marriage coach Susan Allan.
I married Max's owner traditionally. Max was a standard poodle, which is a one-person dog, yet within a few days, Max became bonded with me. The initial bond was one thing, but what happened right after his death was the ultimate inspirational experience.
I left the vet's office grieving at his loss at the age of 17, which is a rare age for a large dog. Walking to my car, I saw a strange apparition above my head at the level of the lamp post, and as I stared, it became the energetic shape of Max standing on his hind legs. Something he enjoyed doing often.
When I turned on my new car, the electrical system was suddenly broken, while the air conditioner and CD player worked perfectly, the digital readout said, "MAX OUTSIDE 8888".
When I took it to the dealer because the car was less than a year old, and asked them to repair it, they informed me that the issue was not under warranty. I laughed and thought, Well, I bought this car so my elderly dog could climb in instead of needing a boost into my SUV. So it was his car, and now I can sell it.
Before I could sell it, my car hit an oil slick on the freeway. I had the miraculous experience of protection. The car was totaled, completely smashed.
The brand new airbags did not deploy because of the angle of impact, yet I had absolutely no injuries, not even a bruise, no neck pain, and I was protected. Since then, Max appears to me in dreams quite often and is clearly enjoying himself and waiting for me.
5. They always need to be close to you
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Research has looked into how human-animal contact can influence psychological and physiological parameters important to health and welfare.
Technology manager Tina Grimsley shares how it works for her and Thor. "From the time Thor was a puppy, he would always want to snuggle. If he were on the couch, he would curl up and snuggle on my lap. As he started to get older and grew to weigh about 55lbs, he still wants to sit on my lap or so close that he is touching me."
When she's not feeling well, Thor will put his face close to her so he can smell her and give the cutest, softest, tiny kiss on her chin. The closeness described here is love as well as an animal-assisted intervention for better mental well-being being as explored in a 2009 study of human-animal bonds and the relational significance of companion animals.
6. You just know
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General manager Tom Miller claims that he "doesn't know if my dog Watty is my soulmate. Or if dogs even have a soul — or if humans do so to be fair. But I'm the disciplinarian and do most of the walks in our home, and in good times, my dog is substantially more interested in hanging out with my wife.
However, if he's not feeling well, he prefers to scoot over to me. And, bless this little mongrel, he reciprocates when I don't feel well. I'm willing to bet if I, universe forbid, contract some chronic disease, he'll diagnose it before a doctor would. That sounds pretty soulmate-ish.:
Soul-bonded or neurochemically bonded, is there really a difference? Research from The Veterinary Journal showed the neurological effect of human animal interaction is a two-way street and benefits both human and animal.
Once we add up all the parts in the human-animal interactions play, we are left with the realization that our animal companions are much like our human ones. We connect, we depend on one another, we have differing needs, and varying skill sets. But we all bring something to the relationship.
Will Curtis is YourTango's expert editor. Will has over 14 years of experience as an editor covering relationships, spirituality, and human interest topics.
