i hate how people say “ putting human characteristics on an animal” look calling something wholesome is calling an action wholesome like a puppy cuddling with its owner what is wholesome
putting human emotion on to an animal is not bad or whatever animals feel emotions like people do is just different, so when a person put a human emotion on to an animal is very likely to be true, like an elephant playing or if you thinking of “oh that elephant feels hot” or “that elephant is annoyed with that bird because the bird was bothering them” that is very likely to be true especially if you see the action the elephant would do like putting water, dirt or even a peace of branch on their backs or heads to keep cool. animals CAN show emotions similar to humans is just different since they can’t talk or use facial expressions (of course it depends on the animal but still)
and nature DOES care about cuteness in a way, how else would an animal mother would have the urge to care for their baby (yes i know is instinct but there is still love) giving the idea of cuteness is a big head with big eyes or whatever there has to be something. so this idea of seemly shaming the idea of “giving animals human characteristics” is dumb and there is nothing wrong with that, is natural and animals can feel these emotions because if you were in their same situation you would feel the same too