How do you relate to your pet?

My husband and I are very different in how we relate to our dogs.  I try to understand and communicate with our dogs with an animal instinct while my husband humanizes them.

When I was young I was very quiet and shy and learned how to communicate non verbally with our dogs.  I seem to be able to dig into their primal instincts and understand what they were trying to say.  I began to understand body language, long before I knew what it meant but learned how it was relevant to our relationship.  I do the same today.  I have taken it deeper by studying the eyes where I am able to connect at the deepest level.  We seem to know what the other is thinking.  When I talk to them, I talk to them as adults.  By studying their behaviors I have learned to communicate and think like them on a very personal level.     

Now my husband on the other hand never grew up with animals.  This is his first actual experience at having pets and sees things more from a child's point of view.  They are his friends, he carries on conversations with them, sings songs and always makes sure all of the dogs are given equal attention, treats and the like.  He sings lullabies to each one individually every night at bedtime .  If he were home during the day he would probably dress them up and have a tea party.  They are like his children and his best friends.  He is overly protective about their welfare and makes sure they stay within the fence.  He is heartbroken if any of them get hurt for any reason.  To him they are all still puppies.     

The dogs respond to both of us.  They relate to both of our types of connection and the levels they are at.  They need me to connect with their animal instincts and be their leader and they need my husband's silly child-like qualities to bring out the puppy in them.  It brings a balance and harmony you might not expect, but it works for us.

So how do you relate to your pets?