House of the Rising Sun

What is it about writing about animals that makes us go on for so long?
I could ask someone to write about remodeling their entire kitchen and the story might break 1300 words, but ask someone to write about pets and I get stories coming in at 1900, 2300, 3800 and even 4,000+ words.
I'm not complaining mind you - and the 4,000 word story is my own - I'm just wondering what it is about animals that makes us - even though we know a picture is worth a thousand words - write a thousand words any way, and then some?
Maybe it's because we know they can't call us up after the story is printing and complain that we misquoted them.

song: House of the Rising Sun • artist: The Animals