Empathy is a complex emotion for us humans. In many ways, it seems to be disappearing from society because of the constant media barrage of violence, death, and despair, we are becoming increasingly desensitized to the suffering of others.
The natural affection we feel for animals can be compared to the affection parents feel for their children. Parents impulsively care for their children and desire to help them because they are unable to help themselves easily just like animals.
The perception of adult humans is that they can easily speak up for their rights or defend themselves from danger. But that is not true in the case of children or animals, who are completely at the mercy of others for shelter, food, and protection.
Children and animals both demonstrate an innocence that we feel compelled to protect. So in fact, our increased empathy for dogs and cats has nothing to do with a preference for a certain species, and everything to do with our innate human desire to protect and nurture those who are innocent and helpless.
Our empathy level is unrelated to species. Rather, it has to do with perceived helplessness and vulnerability.
It's easy to understand why some of us seem to prefer animals over humans. But the reality is a much bigger picture than we realize. Animals touch the most intimate parts of our hearts: our need to nurture and protect, our need for companionship and love.
These needs exist within us, no matter what. But it seems that animals have a unique ability to bring them out in us. Dogs, cats, even lions, and monkeys inspire us to reveal these deep human needs, which we might otherwise keep hidden and there's nothing pathological about that. In fact, it proves that we have a deep capacity to love and care for others under the right circumstances. Paradoxically, our love and care for animals allow us to be human.
And that's a precious gift.