--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I cannot imagine not going home to…" description: "\"I cannot imagine not going home to animals. They are the closest thing to God. They don't harbour resentment.\" — Ellen DeGeneres" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/ellen-degeneres-604_animal_i-cannot-imagine-not-going-home-to-anima_626365.jpg" --- # I cannot imagine not going home to animals. They are the… ![“I cannot imagine not going home to animals. They are the closest thing to God. They don't harbour resentment.” quote by Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/ellen-degeneres-604_animal_i-cannot-imagine-not-going-home-to-anima_626365.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/ellen-degeneres-604_animal_i-cannot-imagine-not-going-home-to-anima_626365.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/ellen-degeneres-604_animal_i-cannot-imagine-not-going-home-to-anima_626365.jpg) > “I cannot imagine not going home to animals. They are the closest thing to God. They don't harbour resentment.” [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Animals embody unconditional love and forgiveness, offering a spiritual connection to the divine. **In simple terms:** Animals reflect divine qualities. Key Takeaway Spend time with animals for peace. Themes compassion spirituality animal welfare Mood warm grateful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - pet ownership - volunteering at shelters - therapy animals - environmental activism Key Concepts animism ethical living Questions to Reflect On - How do animals influence your sense of purpose? - What responsibilities come with caring for them? A Different Perspective Not everyone can care for animals; responsibilities may be limiting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Going home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-home/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Pet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pet/) [Resentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resentment/) [Vets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vets/) ## Related quotes > [I cannot imagine not going home to animals. They are the closest thing to God; they don't harbor resentment. I wanted to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-cannot-imagine-not-going-home-to-animals-they-are-the-closest-thing-2/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I grew up in a home where animals were ever-present and often dominated our lives. There were always horses, dogs, and cats, as well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-glass/i-grew-up-in-a-home-where-animals-were-ever-present-and-often-2/) [Julia Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-glass/) > [I couldn't imagine a home without animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-burton/i-couldn-t-imagine-a-home-without-animals/) [Amanda Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-burton/) > [What makes a home home? Animals, and a little bit of clutter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/what-makes-a-home-home-animals-and-a-little-bit-of-clutter/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [ I think the hard thing about this job \[stand-up\] I mean, I think this part is great but that the traveling is y'know, 'cause… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-think-the-hard-thing-about-this-job-stand-up-i-mean-i-think-this/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [My dad didn't want me to go for drama in school, so I chose the closest thing to it and got a bachelors degree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniella-alonso/my-dad-didn-t-want-me-to-go-for-drama-in-school-so-i-chose-the/) [Daniella Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniella-alonso/) > [I wanted 'Southland' to feel immediate, like a ride-along, and to make it the closest thing possible to a cop reality show. We've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-chulack/i-wanted-southland-to-feel-immediate-like-a-ride-along-and-to-make-it/) Christopher Chulack > [Love is the closest thing we have to magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-the-closest-thing-we-have-to-magic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It doesn't matter where it is in the world or who I'm making the movie with; that's the closest thing that I've got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anya-taylor-joy/it-doesn-t-matter-where-it-is-in-the-world-or-who-i-m-making-the/) [Anya Taylor-Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anya-taylor-joy/) > [ She \[Beyonce\]is probably the closest thing we've seen to Michael Jackson as far as having that determination and drive that I've ever seen. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-jerkins/she-beyonce-is-probably-the-closest-thing-we-ve-seen-to-michael/) [Rodney Jerkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-jerkins/) > [He was the closest thing I'd ever had to something, or someone, that mattered. 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Hines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-c-hines/) > [Marriage may be the closest thing to Heaven or Hell any of us will know on this earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-louis-cole/marriage-may-be-the-closest-thing-to-heaven-or-hell-any-of-us-will/) [Edwin Louis Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-louis-cole/) > [You wind up creating from silence, like painting a picture on a blank canvas that could bring tears to somebody's eyes. As songwriters, our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-atkins/you-wind-up-creating-from-silence-like-painting-a-picture-on-a-blank/) [Rodney Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-atkins/) ## More by Ellen DeGeneres > [I wanted to have money; I wanted to be special; I wanted people to like me; I wanted to be famous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-wanted-to-have-money-i-wanted-to-be-special-i-wanted-people-to-like/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I think what saved me is me being honest. I think I somewhow had the courage to do something and say something that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-think-what-saved-me-is-me-being-honest-i-think-i-somewhow-had-the/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I think there's too much mult-tasking going on. I think people need to quiet down and focus and be still more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-think-there-s-too-much-mult-tasking-going-on-i-think-people-need-to/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [We can sit and worry about what's going to happen to us two weeks from now. I'd rather focus on the amazing things happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/we-can-sit-and-worry-about-what-s-going-to-happen-to-us-two-weeks/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [It's our challenges and obstacles that give us layers of depth and make us interesting. Are they fun when they happen? No. But they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/it-s-our-challenges-and-obstacles-that-give-us-layers-of-depth-and/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I had done a sitcom and a movie and hosted the Emmys, and all of a sudden, I lost everything. 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Never.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/answers-to-frequently-asked-questions-yes-yes-no-one-time-in-high/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Actually this is really funny - one time she accidentally forgot to leave a note and I had no idea she had even moved.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/actually-this-is-really-funny-one-time-she-accidentally-forgot-to/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [A circus! 100 clowns of injustice have climbed out of the tiny clown car of this court room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/a-circus-100-clowns-of-injustice-have-climbed-out-of-the-tiny-clown/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Gratitude is looking on the brighter side of the life, even if it means hurting your eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/gratitude-is-looking-on-the-brighter-side-of-the-life-even-if-it/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [What's New Orleans without music? And what's music without dancing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/what-s-new-orleans-without-music-and-what-s-music-without-dancing/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [The legend goes that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. I was thinking... that must be hard to put all the tiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-legend-goes-that-st-patrick-drove-the-snakes-out-of-ireland-i-was/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Quick decision makers are often stuck behind annoying people in line at Starbucks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/quick-decision-makers-are-often-stuck-behind-annoying-people-in-line/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) [Explore all 450 Ellen DeGeneres quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. 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He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I cannot imagine not going home to animals. They are the closest thing to God. 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