Have you noticed how some people seem to change completely when there's an animal around?

A natural way to answer

Yes, I find it really telling. People who are usually quite reserved often relax and open up around animals. It seems to lower their guard in a way that conversation alone never quite manages.

Key phrases to use

• tough exterior — a hard or unemotional outward manner that hides softer feelings“Beneath the tough exterior he's very kind.”
• go all soft — suddenly become very gentle, tender or sentimental“He goes all soft around babies.”
• gone out the window — completely lost, abandoned or no longer applying“My diet went out the window on holiday.”
• let our guard down — stop being cautious or defensive and relax“It's hard to let your guard down with strangers.”