[kansas sky]

To me it sounds like they just don't like pets and have to live with them every day. If I had to spend a lot of time watching football I would be a bit looney and short tempered too.

[Schelle70]

You might have a point there. Now that you mention it I can definitely see some jealousy going on.

[latetotheparty]

that person was one of those that i call a "1-post-wonder."

the main thing that struck me about that post (besides the incessant whining) was that this person is old enough to be left alone for the weekend, but still livin' in momma's house and is resentful of momma's pets.... for reasons unknown.....

[mainelander]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

For starters, I love dogs and somewhat like cats.

As far as my parents go, my father's side of the family (aunts and uncles) all liked pets and have had dogs and cats at one time or another.

On my mother's side of the family, all of them dislike pets and dogs, and all of them "shoo" them away. To me, this is incomprenhesible. I point out that dogs help the blind, help the police, help find lost people, and generally provide companionship and protection for (elderly) people. It's of no use.

Do you know people like this? Personally, I think that someone who categorically dislikes domestic animals has something a little off with them. Any thoughts?

nt everyone likes being covered in fleas, hair and the smell that all animals INVARIABLY leave behind

i love animals too that doesnt mean i want to be drowning in them

i love steak, that doesnt mean i go down to the grocery store pop open a few porterhouses and rub them all over my body.

[KathyA11]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

Do you know people like this? Personally, I think that someone who categorically dislikes domestic animals has something a little off with them. Any thoughts?

Several former coworkers. They couldn't understand why we allowed dogs in our house -- let alone slept with them in our bed.

That was balanced by the coworkers who were as animal-nuts as I am, and my parents, who would come into our house and greet the dogs before they greeted us (well, in their defense, my husband and I didn't bark at them.... for attention). My father would go grocery shopping and come home with treats for the dogs -- and nothing for the people in the house.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

For starters, I love dogs and somewhat like cats.

As far as my parents go, my father's side of the family (aunts and uncles) all liked pets and have had dogs and cats at one time or another.

On my mother's side of the family, all of them dislike pets and dogs, and all of them "shoo" them away. To me, this is incomprenhesible. I point out that dogs help the blind, help the police, help find lost people, and generally provide companionship and protection for (elderly) people. It's of no use.

Do you know people like this? Personally, I think that someone who categorically dislikes domestic animals has something a little off with them. Any thoughts?

I worked with a girl once who was from Mexico (legally, I might add), and she said that people in Mexico do not have pets. Her mother was elderly and bored staying at home all the time and I recommended she volunteer at the animal shelter to walk dogs or socialize the kittens, and you would have thought I had suggested she film porn the way she looked at me. Honestly, I would never trust someone that did not like animals. It's just not right. Cultural norms or not.

20yrsinBranson

[Hepcat]

Recipe for a balanced and happy life; you need a dog to adore you, and a cat to ignore you.

( I never understood people who had neither.)

[misfitz]

Originally Posted by pfk15

And I do not feel love from animals, simple-minded beings that cannot learn simple things, such as not barking or meowing constantly, because it does not work.

Actually, they can learn simple things, and quite complex things too. Think of titled obedience dogs, film actor dogs & cats, police and drug-sniffing dogs, seeing eye dogs...to name a few.

Of course, it all depends on the trainer!! It sounds like your mother has successfully trained the cats TO meow. They learn what we teach them...often when we're not even aware we're teaching.

[Orangeish]

I think there is a big difference from hating animals and not wanting a pet in a home, and that seems to be getting blurred here. I always say I love other peoples pets, I just don't want one in my home. That does not make me "off" in any way. Different strokes for different folks.

[Minervah]

My mother did not like animals. She acted like they were aliens from another planet. She feared dogs especially. Her parents told her stories about how in the old country the soldiers would invade their ghetto (they were Jewish) and command the dogs to attack. So of course she developed her fear and dislike of dogs from her parents.

This discomfort and fear eventually gave way to a kind of tolerance. She would say her friend had a dog but it was a "nice" dog which pretty much meant it left her alone while she was in the same room with it. One funny story, I have had cats all my adult life. My mom didn't even want to touch or go near them.

One hot August day my mom came to visit me. She saw my very pregnant Siamese kitty all spread out on a chair trying to get comfortable. My mom took one look at the poor kitty and said "You poor thing, I was pregnant in August too, I know just how you feel!"

I was shocked beyond belief my mom actually was relating to my cat! She never did want to pet her or any of my other kitties but the one moment of mutual understanding was priceless.