What’s YOUR Favorite Animal

Specializing in animal painting and talking to people who love animals at art shows gets some interesting conversations.

Giclee Print (ltd to 10) of white tail deer

I am asked quite frequently what is your favorite animal. My response has always been “I haven’t met an animal I don’t like,” or “I have so many favorites. How much time do you have?”

At an out door art show in the park a cute freckled faced girl wouldn’t let me get by with those answers. She insisted I had to choose a favorite. I thought for a while and said, “Okay, if I have to choose just one, it’s the river otter.” Then the little freckled faced cutie wanted to know why? I sent her to get an ice cream cone and said when you get back I’ll tell you. I needed time to think up a good answer.

Fifteen minutes and here comes freckles. “Why the river otter she asks?”

“Well the otter has the softest fur. It takes really good care of its young. Otters only fight if they are attacked. They don’t pick a fight. The thing I like best is they are very playful. They don’t need an excuse to go sliding in the snow or down a muddy bank into the river, then turn around and do it all over again.”

It was time to turn the tables on freckles. I asked, “What is your favorite animal?” Her reply was, “I think I like the otter the best because I like to slide in the snow too.”

Then she went on to name a number of other animals she liked. I have found I am not alone. It’s hard to pick just one.

For many years I would have said deer were my favorite animal. When I was growing up deer were the animal I saw the most frequently and close up. They have the most beautiful eyes. Watching them run and jump is poetry in motion.

What is your favorite animal and why? Please leave an answer in the comments.