[InverseLogic]

Originally Posted by 4dogs3cats

But they are nice enough to let you have Ringo!

Heh, believe me, that took some work. On top of the fact that I payed for him completely.

[2puppimsmom]

I feel sorry for people that hate dogs, cats. They are missing out on the love understanding and companionship that we get from our dogs and cats. They are missing out on some of the best things that we have in our lives. I try not to be around people that don't like dogs and cats or animals.

[Annamarie]

Originally Posted by Pai

People who say they 'hate animals' are seriously dysfunctional, in my opinion. I honestly believe people like that are empathically stunted on some level.

COULDN'T AGREE MORE!

[flipgirl]

Wow I can't believe people actually hate or dislike people who aren't dog or cat people...it's their opinion. You can disagree with their opinion but to actually hate the person just because he isn't a dog or cat lover? I admit, most times, I'd rather be with a dog than most humans because dogs are genuine, honest and love you unconditionally. But to hate a person who doesn't like dogs or cats is a little extreme, IMO. Plus, some of them just haven't experienced the joy and love from having a dog. For example, my mother is not an animal person whatsoever but when I brought my dog to her house to meet her, she fell in love. She started buying her treats and toys and even has toys at her house for Kiri when she is over. She has even built a fence for her backyard so Kiri can hang out outside. I joke that Kiri is her first grandchild so I call her grandma. She still isn't an animal lover but I think she appreciates my love for Kiri. So there's still hope for some of those dog or cat dislikers!

[Spicy1_VV]

Its ok they think the same thing about us. They don't get us. Obviously since they give you a crazy dog lady look they don't get it. People surely think I'm crazy/weird.

When I lived in town I was told what someone said behind my back. Something about why does she think she needs to walk those dogs every day, no body wants to see them or something like. Um its called exercising. Some people don't get it and I don't under them. Why do they care if someone does or doesn't walk their dog every day?

[Annamarie]

in my experience knowing people who claimed to "hate animals", they were people that I would NOT choose to associate with. not based solely on not liking animals, but to be honest the people I knew at least were selfish, immature, cruel, and just plain not nice people. so for me, if someone says they hate animals it's a big red flag.

[Max'sHuman]

I don't hate people who aren't "dog people" BUT I am much more likely to like someone who is a dog person and I cannot tolerate dog haters.

I had a roomate in college. When I had seen the ad for the room she said "no dogs". But then I found out dogs were actually allowed. So I asked her one day if I could get a dog, it would have been a very small dog and I told her I would up the ante on cleaning even though it wouldn't shed and that it wouldn't be in her personal space. Well she flipped out that I even asked told me she hated all animals except stuffed animals. And I wasn't mad that I couldn't have a dog I had mostly expected that, but her venom about hating animals, the illogical way she seemed to despise them despite no bad incidents in the past, well I have to say I couldn't wait to move out after that.

This time around I got a roomate and in her ad it said "must love dogs" because she sometimes puppysat her sister's pugs. I knew we would get along right away. And I was right.

[muki89]

I don't really know anyone who 'hates' animals. Quite a few of my friends are scared or don't like them due to lack of experience so I can understand why they're apprehensive about dogs and cats. Doesn't help when my dogs are huge. They usually warm up once they meet a good dog/cat though (like mine )

[JenTN]

One thing to keep in mind is that some people are SCARED of dogs (or strange dogs, or certain breeds) and that comes across as hate/dislike. I was bitten at 14 years old, and believe me that put me off of dogs for a LONG time. I was deathly afraid of dogs and had no desire to be around them. The dog that bit me was a boxer, and to this day, even if I know in my head that they are usually a good breed, I have a hard time breathing when I get around one.

I don't think I would have a dog now if it weren't for my best friend. When I met her (and ended up living with her and her dogs for a year) she had a Weimereiner and a pit bull/shepherd mix. I was scared to death of those dogs, until she gave me some treats to give them. I ended up loving those dogs to death. I still am very timid around strange dogs, something I am working on. When I'm walking Bo, if I hear a dog barking (especially one on a chain) my stomach drops to my toes.

Just another point of view from a lover of (most) dogs, lol.

[Ella'sMom]

Oh I don't "hate" people that aren't dog lovers. I just don't get it. I can understand not loving them as much as I do - but when they're down right rude about it such as the people I have been hanging with at the pool...that's when I get confused. They are also teaching their small children that it's funny when you whack a dog on the head (by laughing when the child did it....I was horrified). I don't know...I guess I am just different then anyone I have ever met in real life. I don't know anyone that feels the same way about animals as I do. Maybe that is why I come here. You guys get me.

[Willowy]

I don't mind if someone is not "into" pets, as long as they admit it and don't go out and buy a puppy. A non-pet person with a pet is usually a disaster. But if they act on that dislike and mistreat an animal, that's when I know they have serious character problems. I would never be friends with someone who thinks mistreating animals is OK, but I do have some friends who don't really enjoy pets, and that's fine with me. I don't quite understand it, but whatever.

[blackrose]

Originally Posted by JenTN

One thing to keep in mind is that some people are SCARED of dogs (or strange dogs, or certain breeds) and that comes across as hate/dislike.

A friend of my brother's used to be terrified of dogs (he saw a Husky maul one of his friends). But he never HATED dogs, he just was scared of them. There is a difference, IMO. He never questioned why we loved our dogs or why we spend so much on vet care or why we by them *gasp* toys...he just didn't want to be around them. Blackie and Rose eventually won him over and his family even got a Husky as a pet (which ended up getting hit as they let it run loose and they live right by a highway).

Even if they are scared of an animal but think that hurting one is okay....that doesn't work for me.

[JenTN]

Originally Posted by blackrose

A friend of my brother's used to be terrified of dogs (he saw a Husky maul one of his friends). But he never HATED dogs, he just was scared of them. There is a difference, IMO. He never questioned why we loved our dogs or why we spend so much on vet care or why we by them *gasp* toys...he just didn't want to be around them. Blackie and Rose eventually won him over and his family even got a Husky as a pet (which ended up getting hit as they let it run loose and they live right by a highway).

Even if they are scared of an animal but think that hurting one is okay....that doesn't work for me.

I agree 100 percent, and I wasn't talking about people that hurt them...that's abuse. I also didn't say that all people who are scared come across as anger...however it's a common human reacting. I'm talking about the garden variety "I don't like dogs" type of people

[KaseyT]

I work with many Indian people whose only experience with dogs is feral pests to be avoided. There are not "dog people". Nor are the people I know raised in an Islamic culture.

[Pai]

Originally Posted by KaseyT

I work with many Indian people whose only experience with dogs is feral pests to be avoided. There are not "dog people". Nor are the people I know raised in an Islamic culture.

That's cultural difference, though. To me that is different that someone raised in the West who hates dogs.

[Mdawn]

No one has came right out and said that I'm nuts because I love dogs and cats so much. They HAVE said that I was nuts because I'm allergic to cats and I still have 3. I'm not severely allergic to them...my nose is just constantly stuffed up and I sneeze a lot but having them is worth the inconvenience of the allergy to me.

While I don't get the people who outwardly hate animals and/or cruel to them; I also don't get the people who claim to be animal lovers but put their dog or cat so far down on their list of priorities that the animal suffers for it. For example, I have a friend that has a lab mix. She says that she "loves" her dog but she kind of wants to get rid of him because he sheds. Umm...well, then brush the dog and vacuum more often. Shedding is not exactly something that the dog can help or be trained NOT to do and it shouldn't have to pay the price of the owners laziness of not wanting to take care of the dog. Why did she even get a dog in the first place?? I don't get it...When I brush my dog and give them a nice massage to go with it, it is a special time and its enjoyable because we get to sit and bond with each other. I certainly don't look at it as a chore, like "Oh GOD...I HAVE to brush Eddie and Uallis tonight!!" It's a time that I get to sit and relax too.

[melgrj7]

I don't mind people who just don't like dogs and don't want to be near them, but I can't stand people who have to go on about how they hate them. I do not associate with people like that, even a few of my family members. If you don't like dogs fine, but don't rub it in my face, especially when you know I am a dog lover. If people don't like my dogs they are welcome to leave my house, the dogs live here they don't, its as simple as that. I do not like when people say they hate animals. Hate is a strong word. For people that are afraid of dogs, Lloyd has won several of them over. He has such a wonderful personality it really dogs rub off on people. If someone is afraid, I have him him roll over on his side or back, and he always smiles and gets this goofy look on his face. 90% of people can't resist smiling when they see him do that Even my sisters who are not dog people like Lloyd. They don't want to touch him, but they like his personality and like to talk to him. I have also found having a dog shake is a good way to get people over their fear, as it is a common greeting for people to do to each other when they have good intentions.

What bothers me the most is when non dog people try to argue with me about dog related stuff (like behavior or nutrition . . . ). That really gets me.

I am also a cat lover, have two myself (both rescues). I do tend to not try and pet other people's cats though, as a lot of cats don't like strangers. Mine are an exception to that though, they hide for 5 minutes and then come out and are all over the new person. My kitties are just as much family as my dogs, they both sleep in bed with us (the dogs don't quite fit).

[Pai]

Originally Posted by melgrj7

I don't mind people who just don't like dogs and don't want to be near them, but I can't stand people who have to go on about how they hate them. I do not associate with people like that, even a few of my family members. If you don't like dogs fine, but don't rub it in my face, especially when you know I am a dog lover.

Yeah, this is the kind of person we mean when we're complaining about 'people who dislike dogs' we're not talking regular people who may just prefer ferrets or fish or something.

[muki89]

Ella's Mom: Did you explain to them that if they let their kids continue like that with dogs, they're guaranteed to be bitten one day?