What makes some of us "animal people"?

I believe we're so geared to find human baby features such as large eyes and a round head stimulating

I was taught the same thing, but what if we don't find the human baby face stimulating, or even cute?  I think children are cute, but babies don't do a thing for me.  I'm so weird, I like teenagers. Maybe that's why I like the Aussie features better than the Shih Tzu? []  Wow, this stuff is deep.

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

I was sitting on the small rock wall patting a dead mouse! [sm=eek.gif]

haha that reminds me of when I was about 3 - we used to go to a hunting cabin in the Adirondecks for our vacation.  I loved to find critters, salamanders, newts, frogs and snakes.  My dad hated and feared snakes and one day found me playing with one.  Long story short he wound up killing the snake and I didn't speak to him for ages!
My siblings and I were always bringing animals home for mom to save.  We lived next to a school and had several boxes of kittens and pups.  I used to catch giant bull frogs and one got caught in the net, mom had to save it []
I brought home a bird embryo in my lunchbox in kindergarten, etc.

as for being a dog person, I am, always have been.  Bugsy is my first dog since I was a kid because my life wouldn't accomodate a large dog properly.  I debated with DH for years while we were in the UK with no luck and then once we were here I was adamant.  NOw that Bugs is about 2 I'm ready for another - still working on that with DH!
What do I love about dogs (I am biased to large/giant dogs)?  Their approach to life, constant happiness, general overall willingness, their love, devotion and gratitude, their ability to bring laughter and warmth, their athleticism and companionship.  Their complexity and their simplicity.  They fascinate me and comfort me.
A friend in college said my soul must have been a big lovable lab in a former life, one of my favorite compliments!

I have never been a cat person (just don't get them [8|] ) but love wildlife and study the animal kingdom as an avocation and am an active environmentalist.

I was sitting on the small rock wall patting a dead mouse!

 
If my mother had seen that, I'd still be called Lenny.

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

I believe we're so geared to find human baby features such as large eyes and a round head stimulating

I was taught the same thing, but what if we don't find the human baby face stimulating, or even cute?  I think children are cute, but babies don't do a thing for me.  I'm so weird, I like teenagers. Maybe that's why I like the Aussie features better than the Shih Tzu? []  Wow, this stuff is deep.

 
Spiritdog, I am not overly attracted to infants either.  Luckily the oxytocin release is caused by labor in both humans and dogs (even newly born puppies are pretty ugly). 
 
I have always wondered why humans get that release when they look at puppies or kittens, in other words, why we naturally have the urge to take care of young furry mammals.   Is it a remnent of when we were more furry ourselves?  Or does caring for mammals provide us with a survival benefit?

Or does caring for mammals provide us with a survival benefit?

 
More than likely.
 
Heinlein once said that boys should be raised in a whiskey barrel and fed through the tap hole. When they turn 18, you have to decide whether to let them out or drive in the tap.
 

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

I believe we're so geared to find human baby features such as large eyes and a round head stimulating

I was taught the same thing, but what if we don't find the human baby face stimulating, or even cute?  I think children are cute, but babies don't do a thing for me.  I'm so weird, I like teenagers. Maybe that's why I like the Aussie features better than the Shih Tzu? []  Wow, this stuff is deep.

Babies do little for me, as well. I do think they're pretty endearing at toddler stage, though, when they have big, bright eyes and little button noses and toddly baby legs. Doesn't mean I want to do anything other than look from a distance and smile, though! Those are the same features they bred into dogs like pugs and cavaliers. Me, I like the spitz look best. I like triangles. [] And I like big dogs I can drape an arm over rather than little dogs I can pick up and nurse. But I do wonder if that cute thing gives me a double-load of chemicals or something, and whether that has anything to do with why I find animals so entrancing.

Since replies are still being made to the OP, I just wanted to add my opinion.

I don't know exactly the reason why I'm such an animal person ..though I'm probably thinking that since there was never really a big time in my life were I didn't have a dog or my sisters didn't have mice, rats, ect. that's the reason. It just feels right to own and care for an animal. I had a small little black poodle, Nikki, around the age of 4 or 5, but she died of antifreeze poisoning. I had another dog Jake, (can't remember what breed but I'm thinking Lab mix) for awhile after that. He was so big though he was scratching up and ruining our front door, so mom and dad got rid of him. He also just kept getting out of the gate so they kept getting in trouble. I finally got Tj in '95 at the age of 7 and have had him since.

I also have a cat that I found at a shopping store, about 6 years or so ago.. who I still have today. I've had quite a few  rats, a hamster, 2 bunnies and a gerbil.