Pets

an instinctive understanding of cat or dog (or other species) body language and recognize it for what it is. By contrast, look at adults who did not have pets growing up or many opportunities to study them. For them, they confuse so much behavior with aggression--whether it be wrestling cats or seeing the young herding breed dog chase the ankles of other dogs or the big ole lug of a labrador mouthing their child's hand and absolutely freaking out. I wish I could say I have not watched/experienced all of that reaction and more, but I have.

Kids and pets--the best time to learn from the animals and to likewise learn how to be a good "human."