do animals prefer you?

I think must have that parasite then lol - I have 8 cats and 4 ferrets and they make my day 

Sorry I clicked post before saying it's not them sensing fear with him as he was never afraid of them.  It is something else.  I worked in dog behaviour and training for a while and have read a lot about it.  I would be the one that would usually argue the child has done something to bring on the dog's aggression but I have not to this day worked out what that was.  I put the mauling down to a high prey drive in the foster dog as Dan didn't do anything that might have got that reaction.  It has always puzzled me.

We've had quite the opposite with Dan sadly.  He was badly mauled by a foster dog at 18months and has been nearly attacked on several other occasions.  Strange dogs are put on edge by something, pheromones perhaps lol.  That said our family dog adores Dan and is ridiculously over protective of him.

Found this on the internet:

Dogs are highly sensitive to body language, People who fear dogs often stiffen up and stare straight at them, which dogs can interpret as aggression.

when we are afraid we sweat more and secrete different chemicals onto our skins. So it’s not impossible that dogs can literally smell our fear.

Dogs and cats have always been frendly to me because i dont fear them 

Very interesting. I've wondered that myself before only I've noticed it more in wild animals and birds. Whereas deer will bolt away from most people they often seem to stick around  but just keep an eye on me. It's almost as if they look at you but sense no fear or threat.

Perhaps it has something to do with me being on my own and enjoying being quiet.

Doesn't seem to stretch to the goldfish!

Dunk

the toxoplasmosis parasite make people want to look after cats - extreme cases it can be called crazy cat lady syndrome

With my eldest son its horses and rabbits.  Bunnies just sit on his lap and lick his hands for ages.  He did horse whispering several years ago and rides occasionally.  At his last visit to the stables he refused to ride the horse chosen for him, saying that he looked unwell (I thought it was fine).  That evening the horse fell ill (better now I am pleased to say).

The youngest creates bonds with goats and sheep and they clamber all over him, more so than the other children.

Animals are so loving and non judegmental.  It's these moments where  I see the children really at peace and relaxed, without a care in the world.  

I think it's both animals and babies with me.