People often say that we don’t deserve animals. Whether that’s true or not, there’s no doubt our furry companions are some of the most faithful friends we’ll ever find. Animals have been known to protect people they’ve only known for hours, much less several years. Once they decide that a person is part of their family, they’re willing to do pretty much anything to keep them safe.

But another amazing thing about animals is their ability to sense when something is wrong, often long before doctors do. We’re not exactly sure what makes dogs and cats able to sense when there’s a serious medical problem like cancer or low blood sugar. It’s possible they can smell a change in hormone levels or other bodily systems. And even though they can’t speak, they often do their very best to communicate with their owners to let them know they need help.

So maybe, we don’t deserve animals, but whether we do or not, they still give us love unconditionally. And that often means putting their owners’ safety above their own. In return, we should love our pets and give them everything they need. If you have a pet, give them an extra hug today.