We human beings regard ourselves as (or compare ourselves to) animals only when it suits us.
humor people joke religion humanity humour funny human humans animals civilization wild human-race satire jokes human-beings aphorism animal creature convenience creatures homo-sapiens primitive ignorant civilized species anthropocentrism aphorisms heathen savage aphorist aphorists civilize uncivilized suit persons anthropocentric compare-to compare vulgar barbarism barbarian neanderthal barbaric barbarous brutish convenient expedience expedient liken liken-to uncultivated
It may be expedient to take stock of all the affecting pieces that might shatter in the wake of an emotional earthquake, once red flags come up in a committed relationship and an overarching scene has to be fashioned for a recast life experience. ("Waiting for the pieces to fall into place")