There are animals that save people: are they dogs and cats that literally save your life?Human? Because they enter your life in the most difficult moments, the proximity of this little being awakens a selfless affection capable of driving away sadness, fear and loneliness. .
Social psychologists say pets are natural figures of human attachment; in fact, it’s always been that way. Our connection with dogs, for example, is part of our evolutionary past, where the first social groups already included a dog.
“It is the compassion and respect of animals that makes us true humans. “Albert Schweitzer?
Edward Osborne Wilson, a well-known biologist and ethologist, popularized the term “biophilia. “It describes biophilia as a natural tendency to turn our attention to the living, a dimension that the animals themselves have passed on to us for a very specific reason. : groups of humans who had one or more dogs were more likely to survive, this intimate bond between man and dog has helped us to understand the cycles of nature and to look for resources such as water and food, were faithful companions during hunting and good company in times of solitude.
Since then, although we are aware that an animal is not a human being, our brain is able to react in the same way: we secrete oxytocin when they are close to them or embrace them, the hormone of affection, compassion and the need for care is activated when we connect visually with them.
It’s definitely a magical thing. We can say with certainty that although we are the ones who adopt them, they are the ones who save us.
We could tell a thousand stories of animals that saved people, yet we want to share a very special story, in which a dog emotionally saved a young soldier sent to Afghanistan.
Our protagonist is Graig Grossi, and their first day when they left the helicopter in Sangin district could not have been more complicated, it was dark and within hours they were attacked by the Taliban.
He thought his life was there. It was a long night, giving way to a quieter dawn, the attacks had ceased and he could look around, everything was shattered, there was nothing but dust and shrapnel, and in the midst of this chaos of rubble and twisted cars, a skinny big-headed dog was resting. His first instinct was to call him, but then he stopped because he had heard stories of stray dogs attacking people.
However, this dog was different. When he saw the soldier, he did not hesitate to get up and stay close to him just to keep him company. Graig Grossi didn’t die that day. In fact, he found a friend who refused to leave him, who lived with his unit and supported him in moments of anguish. The soldiers gave him Fred’s name and this bond was so close that even when they were moved from the area, Graig and his comrades put Fred in the helicopters for what?don’t part.
Graig Grossi gradually became aware of the fear he felt when he saw the wounded dog in this context, so he reached an agreement with DHL employees so that, secretly, his friend Fred could travel to the United States and stay with however, a few days after his friend left, Graig was hit by a missile and suffered a brain injury.
For the entire time he was in a coma, this soldier continued to dream of his four-legged friend, one way or another they never separated, when Graig recovered and was able to return home to be close to his family and Fred, he thought that everything he lived with his friend had a greater purpose, for two months he traveled through the United States to tell his story , currently these two friends form a wonderful team that gives talks and courses on overcoming and linking humans and animals.
Currently, animal-assisted therapies are working very well, dogs are an effective stimulant for children with autism and the elderly, some nursing homes are regularly visited by dogs that offer their selfless affection and this interaction benefits older people with dementia.
Respecting animals is a duty, loving them is a privilege
We cannot forget that, in our daily life, pets remain indispensable attachment figures. According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Research in Personality, this type of connection is one of the healthiest and most positive at all levels: physical, emotional or cognitive.
A cat or dog knows how to connect perfectly with its “human” through the eyes. This magical and unexpected touch surprises those who have never had pets. At the same time, the classic phrase appears: “Do you seem to really understand me ?!
An animal does not know the origin of its problems or the reason for its disappointments or frustrations, and will not solve its existential questions. They are guided only by the emotions present, the “here and now”, where he instantly identifies his joys and sorrows. They don’t care about anything else, they just want you to be receptive to your stimuli, gestures, needs, games and caresses.
Because really what really matters in life is to be well, calm and have good friends by our side, two- and four-legged friends.