I feel this with horses, too. I had a good unspoken connection with my last dog, but the quietness was definitely missing!Horses.
You can be the most avid rider and compete in sport at the highest level (Olympics) or you can be a low key owner that just enjoys their company. There's no limits.
You can have an almost spiritual connection with them, especially out enjoying nature together.
I like their longevity. Their quietness. Their subtlety. You don't even need to speak and they understand.