@anongoodnurse By the way I was also thinking about you a few times in regard to you having said that all chat rooms have a distinct personality and Pets chat is the kindest. I have also noticed something similar; though not only in relation to chat rooms, but also answers and comments in Q&A sites. Maybe I'm just seeing what I want or expect to see, but there's definitely something there if other people notice it as well. Please tell me, do you have a theory why it is the case?

@anongoodnurse I think about it in terms of the simplest explaination that the pets' presence, whether in physical proximity in real life or their implicit presence being constantly suggested as a main topic, makes people relaxed and resonates our emotions related to caretaking and calmness, while dampening the negative ones.

@anongoodnurse I still continue to remain surprised how this Pets site changes my own apparent personality - I'm usually, to say at least, not exactly the most pleasant, warm and fun person to be around - but based on all my interactions there, I guess not many if any people there would tell, and I'm not even consciously forcing it, it naturally comes itself!

@anongoodnurse And being a bit infantile as I am, I still meow at street cats and attempt petting even the dirtiest ones. I've recently met a cat outside, which rubbed against me and then went along to approach a girl who was in a close proximity, I came closer and we had a nice brief conversation about the cat while petting it together for a moment. I could not imagine another context that this, where one would be able to have similarly natural and causal conversation with a complete stranger!

@Stephie Wow!!!

@lila Great question. Maybe people who love animals are a little kinder than those who don't? I really don't know.

@lila Oh, lol, you beat me to it, and more elegantly. :)

@lila That is a sweet story! I am outgoing, but not... not very "good" at it. But throw an animal into the mix and I'm all smiles. :)

@Stephie This makes me hate being a doctor! In the US, any bat encounter (even this one) would be met with a series of shots for rabies. O_o

This is so sweet, and such a great opportunity to bond with fellow creatures in our environs, and before medical school, I would do exactly what you're doing.

Two of the three rabies series/boosters I got were because of bats. Accidental encounters.

But I'm glad for you and the family to have the experience. :)

@anongoodnurse interestingly, the recommendations by the RKI are way more relaxed. Yes, avoid bites and contact your GP in case of a bite, but simple contact without injured skin is seen as not critical.

And “Bruce” (yes, that’s a Batman reference) doesn’t have much teeth yet, just little whiteish tips.

@Stephie Great name!

@anongoodnurse If one’s going to grow up into a tiny mammal and be small even for bat standards, at least have him have a great name! (And how many chances of naming a bat am I going to get?)

@anongoodnurse I'm yet again impressed how humble you are. I'm sure, based on your rankings on emotional-inteligence-related Stacks, that you would be able to come up with an infinitely better analysis than my amateur and simple insight, which adds even more value to your compliment, thank you!

@Stephie I love the name, but it's because it's also the name of my favourite vocalist. I'm ashamed to admit I wouldn't even get that it was a Batman reference, I'm not familiar with it.