Spunky,
You are so like so many of us. For you it's animals, for others it's busy lives, jobs etc. We feel our hearts with so much to stop that gnawing, empty feeling inside. Yet, the more we keep looking for it in the form of the things that are created, in the end the emptier we will feel.
Let the animals lead you to your heavenly Father Spunky. Please can you read these verses for me
Find a place out in nature and then take your bible and read Psalm 148. Let it become your prayer. When you are around the animals that give you so much joy.. read especially verses 7-11 out loud and enjoy what it is saying.. and then read down to verse 14.
Like Israel, you also very close to His heart. He longs to take your lonliness, to take your pain, and to bring you life. He promises that He will look after you as a mother hen comforts her chicks under her wings. He promises to pick you up in his arms, like the lost sheep. He left the 99 others cos they were safe, and went and found the one little lamb, because it was lost and lonely.
David used the animals to cry out in praise of God, so you can do the same. Join Scouts or some other group that love to enjoy the outdoors and spend time out there and praise Him with others (which is what I did). It may only be one or two others, but you need fellowship with other Christians, so find a small group and sit outside and enjoy being in nature with one another. Read Psalm 121 together once you have read Psalm 148. Lift your eyes up to the hills and see where your help comes from.. these are precious verses Spunky, and they will help you turn your head knowledge into your heart experience. Above all let three little words become the most important in your life
"God loves ME!!" it's an awesome thought to go through life with.