What is is about playing with animals that gives us so much pleasure?

[Redstone]

I played "catch the rawhide" and "rope-a-dope" with the dog today, and "blanket bullfight" (don't ask), and "sock attack" with the kitten tonight.

Every time, I found myself sporting an ear-to-ear grin.

Why is that so much fun for us, do you think? Is it, maybe, that it takes us back to the days when our kids were young, and easy to amuse?

Redstone

[Archae]

1. 'Cause it's just plain fun!

And cats and dogs love to play. No matter their age.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I think it's because the animals themselves seem to be having so much fun.

They get totally focused on these games, and they apparently enjoy them completely. I can imagine my cats giggling with glee as they chase their toys.

[david13]

3. One of the most important things in life is a sense of humor. And

the ability to play. And enjoy it. The cats and dogs know that genetically, I guess.
Not all of us do. Too many people are too serious too much of the time.
My cat is very old. He can barely play. But he still does a little bit.
dc

[fizzgig]

4. it lets you act like a kid

how often do we get to just play?

i played bed mice with one of my girls the other night. i loved the hell out of it.

[Redstone]

8. Wait a minute: Bed mice? Is that where you run your hand under the

blanket and the puppy or cat chases it around?

I like that one, too. (But let's not tell anyone here; I have a reputation to protect after all.)

Redstone

[fizzgig]

19. yup

we do feet, too

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

25. It's a fun game, but fraught with peril.

Cats are kind of pointy.

[MiddleFingerMom]

5. Playing with animals?

.
Um... I was raised in the rural Midwest and:
.
1. Them's fightin' words.
.
OR
.
2. I'm gonna recuse myself.
.
OR
.
3. I'm gonna plead the fifth, or need a fifth, or sumpin'.
.
.
.
.
Ah, distant memories here of playing "catch the rawhide" and
"rope-a-dope" and "blanket bullfight" and "sock attack", but
don't judge me. I was young and naive and I needed the money.
.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Redstone...

It's fun because we return to an innocent time, where all was good...

:hug:

[Redstone]

7. Indeed.

Redstone

[grasswire]

9. we have a border collie and three cats

the cats are nearly too exhausted from being herded to play.

But we do have a new toy that they love -- a mouse that makes squeaky noises to movement, on the end of a line and pole. Calicos love to do air ballet.

[Redstone]

10. I've seen those "cat fishing poles." I think I'll buy one.

Redstone

[meow2u3]

21. I have one of those kitty laser pointers shaped like a mouse

When I turn that thing on, my cats go absolutely bonkers trying to chase the light. But I have to be careful not to shine it in their eyes; you can blind a cat by shining a laser directly in the eyes, thus defeating the whole purpose.

[bluesbassman]

11. No hidden agendas or competion. Just the shear joy of it.

Nice post Redstone. :)

[Redstone]

13. Thank you. Simple joy is too rare in our lives.

Redstone

[Lil Missy]

12. Because of their innocence

[Redstone]

14. And that it lets us return to that innocence.

Redstone

[Terra Alta]

15. because they are so gosh darn cute!

And very fun to play with; you never get bored when you have a dog or a cat around!

[Redstone]

16. Well-said; it's just pure uncomplicated fun, isn't it?

Redstone

[flvegan]

17. Because they are like young children.

They say that the average dog never matures past a 3 or 5 year old child. And like those young children, they lack ego and have no problem with doing something silly and looking ridiculous. Plus they always have that big smile.

Then there's the science. They say that being around/playing with a dog lowers blood pressure, etc.

[barb162]

18. They're totally enjoying themselves

and it's fun to be part of it. They live in the present and can experience incredible fun with the cheapest things, free things, like a piece of paper, a ball.
They just don't need expensive toys to have a great time. They teach us a lesson every time we play with them. :)
:hi:

[Skittles]

20. honestly, it is the fact that they cannot talk

[Ikonoklast]

22. Because they have no agenda.

And remind us that there is still joy to be had in this world.

[woo me with science]

23. I don't know..

I just don't know...

[applegrove]

24. They say that cats immitate babys who coo by curling up on our laps and purring. While dogs... yup

dogs immitate teenagers in love by being so very happy to see us every few minutes (you left the room and now your back..I LOVE YOU).

[mnhtnbb]

26. Totally being in the moment--and the moment is bringing such joy to another creature.

[Demoiselle]

27. Fur and simplicity. Soft warm fur and trust. Fluffy soft warm fur and someone who doesn't judge us

[AngryAmish]

28. Cats and dogs resemble children and ping the parts of our brains as children

Exaggerated features (big eyes, ears) resemble children. Ever see the people who talk about their fur babies and the ilk - they really do treat their pets as children.