Could someone tell me why

[LaraK]

Everyone is supposed to love animals?

I'm not a fan. I'm allergic to cats, I don't like to pet them and have my eyes start swelling up. I'm afraid of dogs, I don't care if yours is friendly. I had a bad incident with a neighbor's dog when I was younger and I'm really afraid of them now. Not to mention that I don't like the slobber thing. I really don't want to be licked by your friendly dog.

I respect that you have animals and you love them. I wish some animal lovers (some, not all) would respect that not everyone likes things with fur.

OK, my vent is over. Guess I was told one time to many "don't worry, he's just friendly!" during the Halloween festivities as the dogs seemed to equal the kids during trick or treat. I guess in a way it was lucky that my highly allergic child was home sick and not walking around with my daughter and I.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

You don't have to like animals (although I wouldn't date a guy that doesn't love dogs...I love them too much to get along well with a guy who doesn't.) All I ask is that you don't abuse them (and I assume you don't.)

 

[AKL_Megs]

Everyone is supposed to love animals?

I'm not a fan. I'm allergic to cats, I don't like to pet them and have my eyes start swelling up. I'm afraid of dogs, I don't care if yours is friendly. I had a bad incident with a neighbor's dog when I was younger and I'm really afraid of them now. Not to mention that I don't like the slobber thing. I really don't want to be licked by your friendly dog.

I respect that you have animals and you love them. I wish some animal lovers (some, not all) would respect that not everyone likes things with fur.

OK, my vent is over. Guess I was told one time to many "don't worry, he's just friendly!" during the Halloween festivities as the dogs seemed to equal the kids during trick or treat. I guess in a way it was lucky that my highly allergic child was home sick and not walking around with my daughter and I.

I am right there with you... although, I LOVE my neighbors dog... would I want him in MY house? No. On the other side of the fence? Yes.

I am also allergic. If my DH goes to a friends house and they have a dog or cat, I break out the second I touch his clothes.

A cat in "person" is terrible. I swell up, itch like crazy (especially my lips, ears, nose, and eyes), and worst of all, I get terrible asthma, almost to the point where I must go outside to get fresh air.

Dogs only bother me after a long while. We used to have a dog, and I tolerated it for a while for DH, but eventually, we had to give him away to another family. It was too much for me.

And honestly, most people I know who have them DO NOT take care of their dogs. They have dirty feeling coats, stinky breath, and it is always those dogs who want to be on your lap and breathing all over you. And the owners don't think anything of it.

But, I do LOVE my neighbor dog!

 

[emer95]

Amen, sister!

Animals are fine and dandy for other people, but not for me. I don't want them in my house, jumping on me, snifffing my crotch, scaring my kids, etc.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I work with animals and so people assume I like cats NOPE I do not . Yes I work with them and yes I am kind to them and give them treatment at the clinic and NO I do not know why your cat is peeing in your bed LOL .

With that being said I am not one of those who assumes everyone like my big ol 130 lb Rottie . I keep him on a leash when we are not at work or home . I do not let him go up to kids, adults, other dogs when we are out on our walks !

We must respect everyone and thier feelings towards pets.

 

[imabrat]

Amen! I'm good with cats and some dogs, but anything outside of those two are not for me. I do NOT! do zoo's, and Animal Kingdom is a zoo for me. I've never had interest in veterinary stuff, even when I was a little girl. Guess we weirdos should stick together, we're freaks.

 

[Kath2003]

If we have guests (which we rarely do!) my first line is always, "Are you okay with cats?". Ours are friendly and will want to check you out (although once they've sniffed you they'll wander off and a lot of the time they're outside anyway). I love my boys endlessly but I get that some people just don't like them.

I don't really like dogs unless I know them and would never own one myself so I appreciate when people ask if I'm okay with them (or at least warn me that they're there). The slobber thing gets me too.

I can't imagine bringing a pet around to someone else's house?!

I will say that the US does have more of a 'pet inclusive' culture than the UK. I don't think I've ever seen a dog in a handbag here

 

[patsal]

Amen, sister!

Animals are fine and dandy for other people, but not for me. I don't want them in my house, jumping on me, snifffing my crotch, scaring my kids, etc.

This is my take as well. Not for me personally, others love them and that is great. I would never hurt an animal, but I wouldn't want one either! We had a fish, we took very good care of it and had it for almost 10 years--not bad for a "ping pong ball fair fish". Once Flippy went to the great waterfall beyond we didn't find a replacement nor will we. I just do not enjoy pets or the extra work they create.

 

[marlynnp]

Well, when I read the OP it appears that she is complaining about pets at their owner's houses. I guess they were at the door when trick or treating?
All I can say is if you see a pet, don't go to that house.

 

[LaraK]

Well, when I read the OP it appears that she is complaining about pets at their owner's houses. I guess they were at the door when trick or treating?
All I can say is if you see a pet, don't go to that house.

Nope, they were dressed up and "joined in" the people who were going door to door. People are welcome to have dogs in their houses, I just don't go to those houses.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

You don't have to like animals (although I wouldn't date a guy that doesn't love dogs...I love them too much to get along well with a guy who doesn't.) All I ask is that you don't abuse them (and I assume you don't.)

I agree!

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

Like PP have said, I'm fine with not liking animals...as long as your not abusing them. My ILs don't like animals, so we put the cats up when they visit us.

I DO love animals, but I don't want pets jumping on and lunging at my kid while he is ToTing. I just assumed (yes, I know, don't assume)...that people would put their pets up for ToTers. My 2 yr old was lunged at and knocked down last night while we were ToTing...he cried for at least 3-4 houses.

(and before I get flamed...I wouldn't have gone to the house had I had any idea that would happen).

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Nope, they were dressed up and "joined in" the people who were going door to door. People are welcome to have dogs in their houses, I just don't go to those houses.

Out of curiosity (not trying to flame you...just trying to understand), what's the difference between that and someone walking their dog down the sidewalk on a normal day when other people happen to be out? I think I could understand better if you just didn't want the dog to come on your property but otherwise, I don't see any problem with it and honestly, I think dogs might serve as good protection for kids that might be too old to want their parents with them.

 

[Sparx]

Like PP have said, I'm fine with not liking animals...as long as your not abusing them. My ILs don't like animals, so we put the cats up when they visit us.

I DO love animals, but I don't want pets jumping on and lunging at my kid while he is ToTing. I just assumed (yes, I know, don't assume)...that people would put their pets up for ToTers. My 2 yr old was lunged at and knocked down last night while we were ToTing...he cried for at least 3-4 houses.

(and before I get flamed...I wouldn't have gone to the house had I had any idea that would happen).

my cat lives here, they do not. my cat will not be "put away" because someone doesn't like them. if they don't like my cat, we can go elsewhere. but i'm not locking her up just because someone "doesn't like animals." (of course, if there was an allergy, i think it would be better they not come to my house at all, since the cat is constantly in here, the dander and hair would be very irritating)

i would never force my cat on anyone, letting her run around outside my house, but in the house, she's not being put away.

 

[wdwfan16]

I will not abuse an animal but I do not have to love your pet. If I want to love a pet I will buy one.

 

[LaraK]

Out of curiosity (not trying to flame you...just trying to understand), what's the difference between that and someone walking their dog down the sidewalk on a normal day when other people happen to be out? I think I could understand better if you just didn't want the dog to come on your property but otherwise, I don't see any problem with it and honestly, I think dogs might serve as good protection for kids that might be too old to want their parents with them.

I don't much like running across people walking their dogs either. I usually just cross the street. Last night it was the large volume, you couldn't avoid them. Sometimes I know the person with the dog and I feel like I have to stop and talk. I cringe as their dog sniffs at me and then wants to "make friends". Seriously, I just don't like it and I don't know why people would assume that I do. If I know the person well enough, I tell them that I'm afraid of dogs and they understand. The people I know more casually, I just cringe and bear it so as not to be rude.

In terms of protection...sorry, but I watched my kid brother get mauled by a dog while I was pushing him in a stroller. Dogs are not protection in my world, they're a threat. I know that's unreasonable, but it is what it is.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

my cat lives here, they do not. my cat will not be "put away" because someone doesn't like them. if they don't like my cat, we can go elsewhere. but i'm not locking her up just because someone "doesn't like animals." (of course, if there was an allergy, i think it would be better they not come to my house at all, since the cat is constantly in here, the dander and hair would be very irritating)

i would never force my cat on anyone, letting her run around outside my house, but in the house, she's not being put away.

I kind of agree with this.....I put one dog on a leash tied to the iron spiral staircase (but only because he has a tendency to run when the door is opened.) The other was on a leash attached to my wrist and held close to my side when I opened the door because I didn't want him lunging at a kid thinking he was protecting me. But I wasn't about to put them in the back yard for three hours (again the one that was attached to the staircase when the TOT'ers came over might very well have broken the fence and escaped...he's done it many times before) or in the bathroom for three hours. In fact, I got tired of attaching the one to the staircase, so I ended up opening the door for an hour and a half and then putting the bowl outside for the kids to take candy on the honor system (and there was still candy in it this morning.)

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I don't much like running across people walking their dogs either. I usually just cross the street. Last night it was the large volume, you couldn't avoid them. Sometimes I know the person with the dog and I feel like I have to stop and talk. I cringe as their dog sniffs at me and then wants to "make friends". Seriously, I just don't like it and I don't know why people would assume that I do. If I know the person well enough, I tell them that I'm afraid of dogs and they understand. The people I know more casually, I just cringe and bear it so as not to be rude.

In terms of protection...sorry, but I watched my kid brother get mauled by a dog while I was pushing him in a stroller. Dogs are not protection in my world, they're a threat. I know that's unreasonable, but it is what it is.

Okay....so basically it is the same thing to you....you just don't like running into dogs period but it was on a larger scale last night. I can understand that. If I knew you were afraid of dogs, I would definitely do my best to keep mine away from you. Like I said, as long as you're not out there hurting dogs in some manner (or cats...I have a personal preference for dogs, but I don't want any animal getting hurt), I have no problem with your not liking dogs. I just wouldn't date you (but I don't swing in that direction anyway )

 

[DizBelle]

I do not expect everyone to love animals. What I do expect is for everyone to respect the lives of animals (i.e. not wish them harm).

I would never allow any of my animals near anyone until I ascertained whether or not they were ok with the animal approaching them. If my animal cannot be trusted to obey and not approach or jump on other people, they would not be in the company of people.

Likewise, I always ask the animal's human for permission before I approach the animal to pet.

 

[RNMOM]

I feel there is a difference between being allergic and not liking animals. I'm sure there are allergic people out there who would love to be able to have animals..for pets, not meals!! I respect your right to feel the way you do but don't understand it fully.

My dad always said he "didn't trust people who don't like dogs". I don't think I would go that far. We have had relatives who are violently afraid of cats. Yes, violently. To the point when the cat enters the room they flip out. We confined the cat when they visited but it was a bit over the top.

I have had dogs and cats all my life and get a lot of love and companionship from them. DH and I always say we won't get any more when these live their lives but I won't bet on that. I enjoy the fact I am not alone and have something I can pretend to be talking to instead of myself. I like their soft fur and the loving glances I get..when I am eating popcorn. Really, they are always there for us and we for them. It just adds a dimension to our lives. Same for children. I guess until you have your own you really can't quite understand how they change your life.