i, too, sometimes feel unloved and afraid.

i find it interesting, though, that you and i are different in how we react to that. Rather than retreating and wanting to be left alone... i seek out the petting. i get hurty and pouty, and i say things that reflect how alone and unwanted i feel. And all i want is petting, petting, and more petting, so i can calm my fears and start feeling better.

And when someone near me is feeling unloved, my gut instinct is to offer the petting, the reassurance, generously. If they bark at me to stay away, i feel kind of lost.