I've noticed that in media depictions and in everyday life, men will act so tough and macho. and for me its just... meh? I don't find anything appealing about someone who lacks empathy and compassion.

I get a happy little flutter in my chest when I see how my bf interacts with our cat. Shes such a little cuddle bug and adores him. Last night she came up to him and started rubbing against him, and he said 'you're so adorable, I just have to scoop you up!' and hes cradling her in his arms, and right away, shes purring and rubbing her face against his and giving him kisses. for a few minutes they're in their own little world full of baby talk and purring and cuddles, and then she moved her feet a little, like she wanted to get down, and he says 'okay sweetie, I'll put you down, thank you for the cuddles!' and he quickly and gently put her down. He's mentioned to me that hes learned to pick up on her body language to tell when she wants to be put down, and as a result, shes never once bit or scratched or hissed.

I love my cat so much and it makes me so happy that the man I love shows the same compassion and care for her! In comparison, so many of the men in the town we live in just buy these big dogs, like german shepherds or pit bulls, and then leave them outside, and have no idea how to care for them. I think it really tells so much about someones character seeing how they treat beings like animals, plants, etc. We have cannabis plants and he'll call them 'the girls' (since theyre female plants) and our friends call him a plant mom. its so endearing.