I find moments spend with animals, especially pets, to be calming and relaxing. Sometimes it also puts a lot of things into perspective. Pets just need very little from us. Food, shelter, our time and attention. Apart from that they can be contented. But humans tend to complicate their lives on their own. Sometimes, just acting like a cat, lazing around, and enjoying the company is all we need.
Pets are valuable to their owners for many reasons and they tend to make people happier. I certainly feel happy around Cleo, it's impossible not to feel that way actually. It's difficult to describe, I guess a person needs to feel it for themselves.