Could someone tell me why

[mhsjax]

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 agree, my dog lives here and while I would keep him from jumping on you, there is no way that I would "put him up" wow, what a sense of entitlement that is, I have to put an animal up because you want me to give your kid candy. Sorry but that just hit my wrong.

 

[N.Bailey]

Well, no fears from my canine, my big old ferocious lab is afraid of trick or treaters. She sees the costume/mask, she runs so we have never taken her door to door (not that we go out anymore since the kids are 17 and 18).

In all seriousness, I'm not a dog person really. The lab was always more for hubby and kids than for me. As my daughter got older, she sort of gravitated toward cats like her mother. I keep both of my cats (just got a new kitten about 2 months ago) and our dog indoors, so we expose them to no one who doesn't come to our home.

I don't care if you don't like animals. Quite frankly, that's your business. After having read the thread, a few things really jumped out at me though. For starters, I think it's quite a leap for anyone to try and insinuate that people who do keep pets have trashed homes and furnishings. My good God, that's about one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read in my life. The 2nd thing I would love explained to me is, how could 1 ever have a pet in their life for so many years and have no sense of loss whatsoever upon losing said pet? I'm not a dog person, but have had my lab for going on 10 years now and I honestly cannot understand how someone could have no sense of attachment for any creature who has been such a part of your life for such an extended period of time. That's downright inhumane to me.

 

[ckay87]

I don't think everyone needs to "love" animals. I don't "love" children who are not mine or closely related to me, so I can relate to how you, OP, might feel. But I do think people need to learn to co-exist with animals. Dogs and cats at the least. And that's directed to people who are put off by seeing dogs on leashes out and about. I really feel like if that bothers you, you need to work on that since dogs and cats are such a common part of the landscape. We all have things that we prefer not to encounter. I used this example before, but if I had a phobia or serious adversion to men with beards, I would recognize that as something I'd need to work on. I may never marry or even befriend one, but I'd be able to deal with being in the vicinity of one. Just IMO

 

[N.Bailey]

snip

On another note...I've noticed alot on this thread people say 'you don't have to like animals, just don't abuse them'. Why would that even be the first thing to someones mind, that if you don't like them, you'd hurt them? I have nothing against animals, just don't want one as a pet. That doesn't mean I'm going to go abuse them. I also just don't want people to push their pets on me and act as if I'm a terrible human being because I don't want one. Its a personal choice...just like having kids.

Anyway, just wanted to say my opinion on the topic.

Because people don't care if you don't like animals. They care if someone is abusing them however. No one was pointing fingers saying if you don't like them, you must be abusing. They were simply stating, if you don't want an animal, that's your business, but add the bit about abusing them because people who would cause harm to a pet infuriates them.

No one was trying to equate the 2 together. At least reading thru the thread, that's the impression I walked away with.

 

[N.Bailey]

I agree! I am on the other hand, I just don't like kids. Thats why I don't have any! I also prefer my house clean, my furniture to be intact and no sticky stuff from gooey hands left everywhere! Thats why I have dogs. To each their own.

I've had both pets and kids and you're 100% spot on. The kids have created more messes than the animals ever have.

 

[Sparx]

Um, yeah, I kinda think I know my kids allergies...I, you know, live with them every day.

I quite intentionally qualified my initial remarks to indicate that I was not classifying all pet owners in the same statement. It's the obnoxious ones who think that life is not complete unless you are being licked by their animal that irritate me in the same way that I expect that if I allowed my kid to run screaming through a store sniffing peoples crotches would irritate others.

Some people don't like kids. Some people don't like animals. I don't like animals, I don't think that anything is wrong with me that I prefer not to have hair everywhere and have my house smell and my furniture ruined. It's a personal choice. However, people tend to look at you like you are a pet murdering monster just because you don't like animals. What can I say, I guess I'm an evil person.

my house doesn't have hair everywhere or smell bad, and my furniture is not ruined. just because i have a 2lb cat doesn't mean i don't know how to clean.

 

[LaraK]

I agree, my dog lives here and while I would keep him from jumping on you, there is no way that I would "put him up" wow, what a sense of entitlement that is, I have to put an animal up because you want me to give your kid candy. Sorry but that just hit my wrong.

And WHERE exactly did anyone ask people to put their pets up if they are in your house while kids are trick or treating?

 

[LaraK]

my house doesn't have hair everywhere or smell bad, and my furniture is not ruined. just because i have a 2lb cat doesn't mean i don't know how to clean.

That's great, not my experience in most place, but great.

I agree, by the way, that kids make more of a mess than animals...especially five year old boys who aren't so good at aiming yet.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I used to feel the same way about babies! Even after I had my own, I'm still not enthralled by other people's babies. Unless they are really cute.

Have to agree, kids make bigger and more messes than pets any day..

Ya know I luv ya, Lara!

 

[taximomfor4]

I don't think everyone needs to "love" animals. I don't "love" children who are not mine or closely related to me, so I can relate to how you, OP, might feel. But I do think people need to learn to co-exist with animals. Dogs and cats at the least. And that's directed to people who are put off by seeing dogs on leashes out and about. I really feel like if that bothers you, you need to work on that since dogs and cats are such a common part of the landscape. We all have things that we prefer not to encounter. I used this example before, but if I had a phobia or serious adversion to men with beards, I would recognize that as something I'd need to work on. I may never marry or even befriend one, but I'd be able to deal with being in the vicinity of one. Just IMO

I can only speak to our situation with dd and her dog phobia. She is 11 now, and it is MUCH improved (she was born with it)...with a big setback a few months ago, seeing a loose dog violently attack 2 different people, heads, faces, etc...and then ALMOST get dd. She ended up ditching the scooter and running home, made it JUST in time.

The many dogs we encountered while TOTing weren't the issue. DD's improvement ALLOWS her to be out and about when dogs are. However, when someone has the dog on a 4 ft leash, yet stands in the path where kids have to walk so that dd has to pass within 1 ft of the dog, dd can NOT do that. And honestly, until dd, I had dogs my entire life. With all the strange sights and sounds and smells on Halloween, I wouldn't have WANTED my dog within leash-length of strange children over and over! Just in case it all became just too much for the dog.

So yes, dd can co-exist with dogs in the environment. As long as the dog isn't so close that it can touch dd.

 

[LaraK]

I used to feel the same way about babies! Even after I had my own, I'm still not enthralled by other people's babies. Unless they are really cute.

Have to agree, kids make bigger and more messes than pets any day..

Ya know I luv ya, Lara!

And I luv you, your animals I can do without. JUST KIDDING!

Hey, I even think animals are cute. I giggle at the cheeseburger thing as much as the next person.

 

[FireDancer]

I don't like pets and won't have one. I also don't expect that if I go to someone's house that they will hide their pet in another room. It is their house. All I ask is that if their pets use my yard as a bathroom they clean it up.

I don't care what they heck other people do with their animals, I don't feel it is my business. I look at all living things that aren't human as property, not a family member. I think it is hypocritical to chastise certain cultures for eating animals like horse or dog while we sit here and gladly eat our chicken, pig, and beef. As long as they aren't stealing your pet to make their meal I say let people eat what they want. I had horse while I was in Italy and it wasn't all that bad.

 

[mhsjax]

And WHERE exactly did anyone ask people to put their pets up if they are in your house while kids are trick or treating?

one of the pp said she assumed that people would put their pet up for tot, that is where I got that. I was not the only one to respond this way.

 

[N.Bailey]

I don't like pets and won't have one. I also don't expect that if I go to someone's house that they will hide their pet in another room. It is their house. All I ask is that if their pets use my yard as a bathroom they clean it up.

I don't care what they heck other people do with their animals, I don't feel it is my business. I look at all living things that aren't human as property, not a family member. I think it is hypocritical to chastise certain cultures for eating animals like horse or dog while we sit here and gladly eat our chicken, pig, and beef. As long as they aren't stealing your pet to make their meal I say let people eat what they want. I had horse while I was in Italy and it wasn't all that bad.

I'll give you this, but what about when they skin animals alive for their fur? I do believe there are times when we should feel obligated to step in and say wrong is wrong.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Because people don't care if you don't like animals. They care if someone is abusing them however. No one was pointing fingers saying if you don't like them, you must be abusing. They were simply stating, if you don't want an animal, that's your business, but add the bit about abusing them because people who would cause harm to a pet infuriates them.

No one was trying to equate the 2 together. At least reading thru the thread, that's the impression I walked away with.

That's exactly why I said it.

 

[1stluvispooh]

What I don't get is why people think that everyone should love their dog or cat for that matter. I love my cat but I don't really care if you do or not. As for those people that bring their dogs everywhere give me a break. Just because you love them doesn't mean I do or ever will and for gosh sakes don't bring it to my house unannounced!

 

[FireDancer]

I'll give you this, but what about when they skin animals alive for their fur? I do believe there are times when we should feel obligated to step in and say wrong is wrong.

I think if you own an animal and want to skin it alive for its fur it is your property and you can do it. I don't wear fur or skin animals but I'm not going to tell anyone what they can and can't do with property. I view animals as property. Some don't and that is fine. I won't impose my view on you, you don't impose yours on me, as long as we are living within the boundaries of the law we can all live happily together.

 

[N.Bailey]

I think if you own an animal and want to skin it alive for its fur it is your property and you can do it. I don't wear fur or skin animals but I'm not going to tell anyone what they can and can't do with property. I view animals as property. Some don't and that is fine. I won't impose my view on you, you don't impose yours on me, as long as we are living within the boundaries of the law we can all live happily together.

I realize you're not trying to impose your views on me, but what about the law? Are you seriously backing criminal activity as if it's ok because of your own personal beliefs?

Well hell everyone, I announce that today the speed limit is going to be 105 MPH because I don't want to drive 55! I won't try to impose that onto you, but it's okay for anyone who also doesn't want to drive the normal speed limit. Who is with me?

 

[glitterkittyy]

Hey, I get it. I love animals and, in general, dislike a lot of people. I've never been one to ohh and ahhh over a baby. In fact, you'll usually find me running the other way when someone brings their newborn around. It's hard enough to tolerate my own kids let alone someone else's. lol

But what gets my goat are people with allergies (my in-laws) who insist upon visiting me when they know I have two cats and a dog (though the dog is a hypoallergenic breed). I mean, if you're allergic, stay away!! Heck, why do you think I have them?!? So the inlaws will stay away!

 

[Rora]

I am an animal lover but I always take the time to put my dogs/cats/ whatever in a different room if I have guests coming over that prefer to be in an animal free environment for whatever reason.

IMO, everyone's entitled to like (or dislike) what they want. At my house, if you don't like my dogs, okay, they'll be in my bedroom and I won't be offended at all!