It means being open to God’s grace.
Man is the only earthly creature made in God’s image.
I have never been without at least one dog in my life, and I have had as many as three at a time not counting puppies. They are incredible companions and great bulwarks against loneliness, cynicism, and depression. They amuse me and comfort me. But if you have ever come close to losing a child or a grandchild, then you know that dogs are just animals.
We agree that a dog isn’t a human. If I had to choose between my dog and daughter, it isn’t even close...and my dogs would agree!
That said, I don’t think ‘love’ is restricted to another human. God loves us, and we are absolutely nothing in comparison to God. When we love our animals, we mirror God’s love for us - imperfectly, but when we work on a garden, we imperfectly imitate God’s example in creation.
While we are made in God’s image, all creation awaits our redemption:
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” - Romans 8
I think it is safe to say that God’s love extends to the creatures he created, and in loving the animals he brings into our lives, we give glory to God by imitating his love.
Just IMHO.