This assigning of human qualities to animals is actually sort of a heresy against the dignity of humans as created by God.
Animals such as dogs, cats, and horses are quite capable of interacting and communicating with us through facial expression, vocal expression, and gesture/bodily posture. These behaviors are neither random nor purely instinctive. To say that they are incapable of feeling and expressing emotions such as joy, sorrow, puzzlement, contentment, contempt, and, yes, love and grief, is simply wrong. This is not anthropomorphism, it's simply a fact.
Cats have been part of my life for the better part of 40 years, and I could easily write a book on some of them.