People

I'm an animal person. Animals are so forgiving, so easy to please, and easy to read. They want their food, then when you give it to them, they love you in return. Generally.

If only people could be like that, I'd know how to please them.
I've been told multiple times that I have a way with animals. Usually it has to do with a specific animal I'm working with closely. "You have a way with cats." "You must have a way with horses, did you grow up with them?" "You certainly have a way with dogs. I have never seen him act that way!" "Wow, she must REALLY like you! She never acts this way!" And the most recent, from Patti Richards, "You must have a way with corvids [Crows, ravens, etc]." "You're the baby whisperer." (Babies count as animals in this instance.)

It's a natural ability. But for some reason, no one has ever told me I have a way with people. Because I don't. You can't just sit silent and wait for a person to come to you, hand outstretched. You can't just assume that food will automatically make them like you. You can't spend all your time with them to prove to them they should trust you. You can't confine them to a small area to make them know who you are. You can't even tether them to you with a rope or a leash. It's against the rules to grab them, hold them, and stroke them to soothe their nerves, and feeding them by hand is out of the question.

So how do I connect with the species Homo sapien?

You Wanna Know What Love Is?

http://youtu.be/gVg55U7Ux84
This youtube disabled embedding, but its a great scene from Yours, Mine, and Ours. Henry Fonda explains what love is. It's pretty much wonderful.  Watch it.