Things Animals Taught me About Love | The Odyssey Online
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Things Animals Taught me About Love

From the girl who grew up in a zoo.

10
Things Animals Taught me About Love

1. Loyalty is earned; Once earned, it is undying. Dogs in particular accept and love their owners unconditionally. You know that they will always be there for you through the ups and the downs of life.

2. Abusive relationships are toxic for everyone involved. Although animals have unwavering loyalty, they feel joy and pain the same as humans and so any living, breathing creature can only take so much hurt before that loyalty is shattered and you're left with broken bonds and need to be removed from the situation.

3. The ones you love should always be happy to see you and overjoyed at your existence. Life is hard, so it's crucial to spend time with the ones who make life easier, not harder, and who give you a reason to smile everyday.

4. Family isn't determined by blood or who you live with. The ones who don't accept you and treat you with the respect you deserve don't have the right to claim you as their own. You have the power to choose who you let in and who you want to give your love and devotion to.

5. Don't take life too seriously. There are times where work and school and relationships and all the miscellaneous things we have to do can become tedious and overwhelming, thus why it's crucial to remember to have fun along the way. Don't compromise the things you want to do by becoming too invested in the things you have to do. Life should be a journey, not a chore.

6. Lastly, love with every fiber of your being. Treat everyone with respect and empathy, but don't give your love to those who don't appreciate it. Instead, focus on loving those whose world revolves around you with everything you have. Be there for them through their trials, successes, and life changes and you can expect them to do the same for you.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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