Half a Step Over

Sorry, No Animals Here

I’m not an animal lover. No dogs; no cats; not even birds. Sorry, it is what it is. I’m not into anything that flies around and might drop unmentionable items on my head. I’m extremely allergic to cats—we won’t get into how bad things got when my husband was playing with a friend’s cat and I was sitting on the other side of him. It was four days to full recovery. As for dogs, I understand that when I was three and wanted to play with a dog, it stood up and put its front paws on my shoulders and probably licked my face. I was totally traumatized. I get really tense when there are dogs around but I have improved—trust me; and you can confirm it with both my daughters who have dogs, and my mother, who is in shock that I don’t run screaming from them.

Away From Me

Having said that, I don’t wish ill for any animals either. I just wish them elsewhere. I admire people who are into animals, and think most of them do a good job with their pets—including their fish. My problem is with people who believe that if I don’t like animals, I’m a terrible person, who must have evil in her heart. Yes, you know who I mean. I know several of those people, and find that I prefer not to be with them. Somehow I attract people who believe they can change my views—regardless of my opinion.

Where should I start? How about the young woman related to my husband who thought the best idea would be to plop a dog into my lap repeatedly so that I would learn to love him? Aside from the fact that I’m old enough to be her mother—my kids are older than her actually; she owed me some respect at least—what gives her the right to decide this for me? How about the young man who told me I really had to learn to love dogs because not loving them was just wrong. Never mind the fact that he doesn’t own any animals himself, although he does babysit dogs owned by some of his family members when necessary. I respect the fact that he feels he’s not home enough to adequately own another being, but he needs to learn to respect my views. I get that a lot.

My children both own dogs—from the same litter. No, they didn’t get shelter dogs but that was after a lot of research and soul-searching on their part. They know I’m not into animals, so when they come to my home, the dogs have been taught to stay away from “mom.” In fact, one day the water bowl was empty—yes, I even provide food and water for the dogs; I just don’t go near them—and when I went to refill it, one of the dogs sat down 6 feet away from me and waited until I was done and walked away before coming for a drink. My mother was hysterically laughing watching it. I call the dogs well trained and appreciate that their owners have done that for me.

I'm the People Person

So, why should I be told that I have to love animals? Some people I know who adore their pets won’t cross the street to help someone who needs help. Do only animals deserve help and love? Are all people no good, or just those who don’t like dogs/cats/insert name of whatever you have? If someone is drowning do you save their pets first and hope they can hold on until you can get back to them?

Sorry, but I’ll go for the person before the animal. You can hate me for it but remember…I’ll support your right to make your choices. Please don’t get crazy over mine.