@melissa_em Having 4 hind legs is preferable to cuddling... lol although I don't want to be biased agst single-celled organisms and invertebrates...
Great post and comments. I'll add a few of mine...
I've also found over the years to allow people to talk. Listen to their stories of good times, unjust times, and bad times. If you listen well enough they will tell you exactly who they are without even realizing it.