GTKY: favorite animal

farmerlynda

I'm bored at work waiting for some phone calls and thought it would be fun to do a GTKY.

A friend of mine recently gave me a book on the meanings of different animals -- the idea being that your favorite animal (or an animal that appears frequently in your dreams or life) says something about you.  A little bit silly, a little bit fun.  So my question for you is...  

What is your favorite animal, and why? 

limpetfan

Mine is the flamingo.  I have no idea why - it has been since I was a baby.  My mom thinks it's because my teething ring was shaped a bit like a flamingo.  And it makes me extra weird when you find out I a) don't like the color pink, and b) am terrified of birds.

 

jillychris

So hard for me to pick. I love animals, all of them. But, I would have to say a green sea turtle. They are so amazingly beautiful; I love snorkeling and LOVE when I run into one out in the water...I could watch them forever. On our honeymoon in Hawaii, we ran into one, sometimes two each time we were out in the water, plus went to visit the black sands beach where they come to sun themselves. Such amazing creatures!

sloannmark

-a dog because of its unconditional love (there's nothing like it!)

-a turtle because I grew up on a lake and have always loved them!

jessican08

I'll have to go with horses. I've loved horses ever since I was little and thought they were the most beautiful and graceful animal.

I wasn't lucky enough to have or be around horses growing up but I took lessons in middle school and then got into hunter/jumpers in college. I even saved up enough money to buy my own horse and worked off my boarding costs by cleaning stalls every other day before classes.

I'm sorry to say I don't have my horse anymore and don't get to ride very much these days but I keep telling DH that if we're never fortunate enough to have a child, then I'm getting another horse!

daisyMaryGirl

I love Bears.  I especially like Polar and Panda bears. 

NMscubagirl

Oh this is hard! Ok favorite land animal is the tiger! They are beautiful and look so soft and cuddly especially when they purr, but they are also incredibly fierce!

For a water animal it is a tie between a humpback whale and a sea lion. humpbacks have the most beautiful songs in the world. I have never heard a more beautiful sound. Plus they live in such harmony with their world. sea lions are so incredibly cute, playful, and just make me laugh. My husband calls them the golden retrievers of the sea!

Now I am curious what that means about me!

Temp556193750005695

The big cats - Lions, Panthers, Cheetahs.  Which is rather ironic because I've never owned a domesticated cat nor do I ever plan to!

BAKERMOMHDS

Kitties .. especially my loyal, always by my side, very loving kitty Minnie

 

farmerlynda

It's so fun reading everyone's responses!  It also reminds me how many amazing creatures exist on this world.

Limpet -- that is too funny about the flamingo.  I might have to look up what that says about you when I get home to my book.  Ditto for NMScuba, just to satisfy your curiosity

My favorite animals are:

Sea:  dolphin or whale (probably a Grey whale, since I see them off the coast of CA.)  When I was a kid, I used to try to turn into a dolphin while I was in the bathtub because I had read a book where the person was able to turn into a dolphin.  And, I once got to swim with a wild dolphin -- I was sea kayaking and we spotted a dolphin in the bay where we were so I literally just jumped right off the sea kayak into the water, leaving poor DH to chase me around in the kayak.

Land:  Wolf or hawk.  I've always loved wolves ever since I was little, and my grandmother (a slightly crazy but wonderful hippie) always told me that red-tailed hawks were my power animal and it was good luck whenever I saw them!

Pnut30

oooh I love kitties!!!! I especially love my pet kitties but I love the big cats and find them so fascinating.... I think my favorites are the small "big" cats of South America like the Ocelot and Margay....I know it is horrible and would never actually do it even if I had the means but I think it would be sooo neat to have one of them as a pet!!

I also love sea otters, they crack me up!

rockpaperlove

I am liking this GTKY topic! 

Mine is hands down a hummingbird b/c they are "considered to be symbols of peace, love and happiness, moreover, ancient pagans held them sacred for their tireless energy and anxiety"... 

In Native American culture, a hummingbird symbolizes timeless joy and the Nectar of Life. It's a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible and will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances.  They are really spectacular birds, and have a lot to teach a person about self discovery and healing.

katlilvoce1

ive always been drawn to lil monkeys and white tigers the ones with blue eyes. so very sweet. what does that say about me? 

jillychris

NMscubagirl:

Oh this is hard! Ok favorite land animal is the tiger! They are beautiful and look so soft and cuddly especially when they purr, but they are also incredibly fierce!

For a water animal it is a tie between a humpback whale and a sea lion. humpbacks have the most beautiful songs in the world. I have never heard a more beautiful sound. Plus they live in such harmony with their world. sea lions are so incredibly cute, playful, and just make me laugh. My husband calls them the golden retrievers of the sea!

Now I am curious what that means about me!

The SD zoo has two tiger cubs right now. It has been amazing to.go see them every few weeks to see them grow. They are absolutely gorgeous creatures!!

farmerlynda

rockpaperlove:

I am liking this GTKY topic! 

Mine is hands down a hummingbird b/c they are "considered to be symbols of peace, love and happiness, moreover, ancient pagans held them sacred for their tireless energy and anxiety"... 

In Native American culture, a hummingbird symbolizes timeless joy and the Nectar of Life. It's a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible and will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances.  They are really spectacular birds, and have a lot to teach a person about self discovery and healing.

Love this!!!

farmerlynda

jillychris:

NMscubagirl:

Oh this is hard! Ok favorite land animal is the tiger! They are beautiful and look so soft and cuddly especially when they purr, but they are also incredibly fierce!

For a water animal it is a tie between a humpback whale and a sea lion. humpbacks have the most beautiful songs in the world. I have never heard a more beautiful sound. Plus they live in such harmony with their world. sea lions are so incredibly cute, playful, and just make me laugh. My husband calls them the golden retrievers of the sea!

Now I am curious what that means about me!

The SD zoo has two tiger cubs right now. It has been amazing to.go see them every few weeks to see them grow. They are absolutely gorgeous creatures!!

I grew up in PtL and then UC, went to school in LJ.  Many fond memories of SD zoo and WAP

rockpaperlove

farmerlynda:

rockpaperlove:

I am liking this GTKY topic! 

Mine is hands down a hummingbird b/c they are "considered to be symbols of peace, love and happiness, moreover, ancient pagans held them sacred for their tireless energy and anxiety"... 

In Native American culture, a hummingbird symbolizes timeless joy and the Nectar of Life. It's a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible and will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances.  They are really spectacular birds, and have a lot to teach a person about self discovery and healing.

Love this!!!

My love for hummingbirds began a couple of years ago.  It was the day I found out that my Mom had PD.  There was a hummingbird that landed on a flowering shrub.  It was so close to us, my DH and I.  My DH put his finger out and to our shock the hummingbird landed on his finger.  It flew back to the shrub and I put my finger out...it landed on my finger!  Twice!  It was the most bizarre thing.  Shortly after that happened, I picked up a Papyrus card and there was an insciption on the back of the card that mentioned the meaning of a hummingbird.  From then on, I have read more and more about these little birds and I have become completely fascinated with them and their symbolism.  I find them to be my "light through the dark"...with IF and beyond. 

jenjen930

i guess i would have to say kitties too, because i have the best and most lovable cat in the whole world.  she always knows when i am upset or not feeling well and comes to cuddle with me.  it's very comforting.

farmerlynda

rockpaperlove:

My love for hummingbirds began a couple of years ago.  It was the day I found out that my Mom had PD.  There was a hummingbird that landed on a flowering shrub.  It was so close to us, my DH and I.  My DH put his finger out and to our shock the hummingbird landed on his finger.  It flew back to the shrub and I put my finger out...it landed on my finger!  Twice!  It was the most bizarre thing.  Shortly after that happened, I picked up a Papyrus card and there was an insciption on the back of the card that mentioned the meaning of a hummingbird.  From then on, I have read more and more about these little birds and I have become completely fascinated with them and their symbolism.  I find them to be my "light through the dark"...with IF and beyond. 

That is an absolutely amazing story.  Once, when I was in fifth grade, a hummingbird flew into the window in my classroom.  No one knew what to do so I went over to where the bird had hit the window -- it had fallen into a box that was near the window.  I picked it up, carried it outside, and put it on a branch in a tree.  It flew away... the poor thing had just been stunned.

The thing that amazes me about hummingbirds is that they are so tiny.  When you see them up close, you realize that everything about them is impossibly small, but perfect!  And they are able to do amazing things (fly forwards, backwards, and sideways, for one) despite being so small in such a big world.  I love that they are your "power animal"

rockpaperlove

farmerlynda:

rockpaperlove:

My love for hummingbirds began a couple of years ago.  It was the day I found out that my Mom had PD.  There was a hummingbird that landed on a flowering shrub.  It was so close to us, my DH and I.  My DH put his finger out and to our shock the hummingbird landed on his finger.  It flew back to the shrub and I put my finger out...it landed on my finger!  Twice!  It was the most bizarre thing.  Shortly after that happened, I picked up a Papyrus card and there was an insciption on the back of the card that mentioned the meaning of a hummingbird.  From then on, I have read more and more about these little birds and I have become completely fascinated with them and their symbolism.  I find them to be my "light through the dark"...with IF and beyond. 

That is an absolutely amazing story.  Once, when I was in fifth grade, a hummingbird flew into the window in my classroom.  No one knew what to do so I went over to where the bird had hit the window -- it had fallen into a box that was near the window.  I picked it up, carried it outside, and put it on a branch in a tree.  It flew away... the poor thing had just been stunned.

The thing that amazes me about hummingbirds is that they are so tiny.  When you see them up close, you realize that everything about them is impossibly small, but perfect!  And they are able to do amazing things (fly forwards, backwards, and sideways, for one) despite being so small in such a big world.  I love that they are your "power animal"

Your story is so special!  ...and to be cherished!  It is not everyday that someone is "touched" by a hummingbird, ya know?  I am glad you shared your story with me.  We share the bird bond now! 

sekura

Dogs are my #1, because my two great pyrenees have kept me smiling even in my darkest hours of IF.  But for non-domesticated animals, I love the cheetah and the emperor penguin.  Cheetahs because they are fast but graceful--I was a sprinter in school.  And emperor penguins because of their klutziness (much like me), and yet beauty, and their perseverance through extreme conditions.

marieinmonaco

A monkey! They have so much personality! For a pet, miniature pugs! They are too cute and hard not to love!

glueck

there are a million animals that live in nature that I find just amazing.. but the dog that lives in my home is the four-legged love of my life, so I am sticking with that!

kellyrn9956

I LOVE dogs. Adore them.

But I also love sheep. I don't know why. There is a farm near me, and when they allow the sheep out in the pasture, I just think it's the most peaceful sight. And when the lambs are born....::sigh::...cuteness overload.

srveatch

I love pretty much any marine animal. I could sit and watch salt water tanks for hours!  I love to snorkel.  It is all so relaxing to me.   That being said my kitty just sat in my lap telling me I picked the wrong animals!!  I have a kitty and doggy at home.  They both make me feel better when I am down:)

chels38026

Dogs are my favorite domesticated animal, but my favorite wild animal is a giraffe I just love them and think they are so unique! Really curious what that means about me...

AmCheri

I wasn't sure if I wanted to respond because I was having trouble with my decisions.  And I'll probably pick an animal that means I'm bat sh!t crazy.  lol

Land -- That's an easy one.  I love dogs.  Our house isn't a home without one.  No matter how bad the day is, our dog never fails to make me happy.  We have a real connection with our dog -- she has the most beautiful, soulful eyes.    

Sea -- I've always had an affinity for manatees.  I think it's their gentle nature -- their slow movements.  To me, they're beautiful and graceful.   

XV11Star

RPL... I couldn't believe my eyes reading your post.  When my MIL was sick, I started seeing hummingbirds everywhere.  She was terminally ill with cancer, and passed away with mh and I at her side, it was an extremely sad loss for us because she was an incredible, deeply loved and amazing woman.  We made the hummingbird connection to her -- she was a small but mighty type herself, and the birds appearances in every possible scenario were absolutely uncanny.  We have no doubt in our hearts at all that the hummingbird sitings are little gifts from her... (Plus we now have images of them everywhere from our garden art, refrigerator magnets, on the Papyrus cards (!), etc.! ) 

I couldn't pick a favorite animal I don't think, but I love horses... have a couple of my own, work with them every single day, and cannot imagine my life without them.  But that goes true also for my dogs and kitties.  If I couldn't have animals the way I apparently can't have kids, well -- I wouldn't want to think of it...