Be the Best You Can Be for the Dear Ones In Your Life - Faithful Friends Series
From The Caring Heart with Dr. Joyce from Spokane Washington

“A friend loveth at all times…” (Proverbs 17:17)

What I have learned is that, in order to be a true friend to anyone, human or animal, the techniques and goals involved are basically the same. Human babies, humans throughout the lifespan, and domesticated animals all have similar social needs. Everybody needs kind, warm, sensitive others who are responsive, interested in them, and who will never leave them.

They all need someone who is “there” for them, who is faithfully responsive to their communications, who can accurately understand what they need or want, and who will fulfill the need or desire in a kind and timely manner. In short, they need warm, skilled nurturance they can count on. I say “skilled” because being a true, effective friend takes a lot of learned social skills. Actually, it takes a lifetime of practice to become virtually perfect in being a true-blue faithful friend.

First of all, good manners need to be practiced always. Annoying mannerisms are inconsiderate and very unpleasant to the other animal or person. For example, is the owner of Fido at all aware of how much it really bothers the dog to have the TV blaring loud hour after hour?

Secondly, a faithful friend needs to set aside time and opportunity to include the other in his or her life. Depending upon the situation, spending a great deal of time is not as necessary as is being able to count on connecting. For instance, I have a great ex-daughter-in-law, Kitty, who lives three thousand miles away. She is one of the best friends I have ever had. We communicate by phone, and sometimes cards. The point here is that I have complete confidence that Kitty will call me. She will not ignore or abandon me, nor will I abandon her. We share basic trust in one another. She helps me believe I am a worthwhile person and hope I do the same for her.

On the physical, body level, relating to a faithful friend enhances the secretion of important feel-good chemicals. These are the endorphins, which are the brain’s natural opiates, and also oxytocin, which is the hormone mothers secrete a lot of when birthing, which causes her to become very attached to her new baby. Interacting with true friends really does bring good feelings to both humans and to their pet animals. On the contrary, the absence of kind, committed friends results in misery for humans and for many animal species.

In my opinion, most people do not seem to realize how crucial warm, faithful friendships are to the whole well-being of human and other animals.

“Wherever it is you may be, it is your friends who make your world.” - Chris Bradford

COPYRIGHT – 2016 - Dr. Joyce The Caring Heart

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