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Original poster

If you’re good with kids do animals like you too?

26 replies

NovemberRain23 · 02/11/2023 20:00

I’ve changed careers and now go into peoples homes as part of my job. Several people have commented on how much their cats and dogs have taken to me. A couple have said how unusual it was, that their pets are normally scared/ shy whatever.
I like animals and had a dog when I was younger but no pets or involvement with animals since then. I’ve always been good with kids though and worked with them for years. It occurred to me that all the people I know who are naturals with kids are good with animals too.
Makes sense? Or more likely I just smell like sausages or something 😁

OP posts:
fuckssaaaaake · 02/11/2023 20:04

I think you're right. I guess it's a nurturing, kind vibe they're getting from you

MrShady · 02/11/2023 20:10

I'm useless with children. Cats flock to me though Confused
Even when I wasn't a cat fan, a feral cat fell asleep on my lap. Apparently nobody had ever been able to touch it before
Same with a cat (job going into homes) a client had, that went mad purring at me and they were "it's vicious"

Balloonhearts · 02/11/2023 20:23

Animals and small children love me. Dogs have a tendency to follow me around and do as I tell them and a bird at the local petting zoo who is well known for taking chunks out of anyone foolish enough to put their fingers in his cage will come up to me, hold my finger and ask for head scratches. Children follow me about and talk to me too.

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siriusblackcat · 02/11/2023 20:31

Yes, children and animals are connected to me if you will.

In fact, when I had a breakdown a few years ago one thing that kept me going was that kids and animals liked me so I couldn't be a horrible person.

MargaretThursday · 02/11/2023 20:54

I'm good with children. not particularly good with animals.

Df is brilliant with animals. Never seen an animal that doesn't adore him. Do comes up hackles raised, all angry... he just says "good dog" and it'll be rolling on it's back begging for a tummy rub. Any animal is like that round him. He's not too brilliant with children though and would admit it.

Original poster
NovemberRain23 · 02/11/2023 21:24

MargaretThursday · 02/11/2023 20:54

I'm good with children. not particularly good with animals.

Df is brilliant with animals. Never seen an animal that doesn't adore him. Do comes up hackles raised, all angry... he just says "good dog" and it'll be rolling on it's back begging for a tummy rub. Any animal is like that round him. He's not too brilliant with children though and would admit it.

My dads a bit like that. He’s really tall though, ex rugby player. I’ve always thought that was a bit of it. The size of him.
To be fair kids like him too though. Best Father Christmas!

OP posts:
MargaretThursday · 02/11/2023 21:25

@NovemberRain23 Df isn't tall, on the short side for a man. I think it's confidence with the animals. He knows he can charm them so he's totally confident in dealing with them, so they trust him. I'm much more nervous and they know it.

Desecratedcoconut · 02/11/2023 21:28

Brilliant with kids, not fussed on animals and, seemingly, the feeling is mutual.

MissingMoominMamma · 02/11/2023 21:31

I work with young children and I rescue animals. Have a real affection and affinity with both.

Ibravedaflood · 02/11/2023 21:31

The dodgiest of ddogs love me. Ddogs that never allow anyone in their homes let me in. Dc all love me although I am quite strict and no a walkover!! Our home always has teen's mate's in.

Poppins2016 · 02/11/2023 21:34

I think it makes a lot of sense. Most people I know who are good with children are good with animals, and vice versa.

DramaAlpaca · 02/11/2023 21:36

I'm not great with kids (apart from my own) but I like teenagers and young people.

I have a way with animals though, I've never met a horse, cat or dog that didn't like me or that I didn't like.

Actually, that's not quite true - I've met two dogs that didn't like me and the feeling was mutual. Coincidentally both were chihuahuas they were horrid little snappy, snarly things

Itsnotchristmasyet · 02/11/2023 21:36

I love animals and have always been great with them.

I thought I was bad with kids but it turns out I’m really good and I ended up changing from a career with animals to working with kids.

Some people are just animal people though and I’ve worked with people who are fantastic with kids but don’t do animals.

UpsyDaisy35 · 02/11/2023 21:51

Yep! And I seem to attract the “in need” ones too! When I worked as a nursery teacher, the kids with additional needs seemed to prefer me over the other teachers. With animals, sick ones flock to me and I have ended up adopting multiple animals with complex needs (only discovered later - like I was subconsciously drawn to them). I’m no vet but I’ve saved a lot of animals. I’ve had strays follow me, and animals that “hate everyone” seem to love me.

Apparently this trait runs in my family, but only in certain individuals. I wonder if that’s something to look into 🤔

RandomUsernameHere · 02/11/2023 21:51

I'm good with kids and an animal lover, especially cats and horses. Dogs not so much.

HundredMilesAnHour · 02/11/2023 21:54

I hate kids. Animals love me (and I love them).

Deadringer · 02/11/2023 21:56

I am good with kids but have never noticed a particular affinity with animals.

GOODCAT · 02/11/2023 22:02

Not good with either, but like animals and most kids

XenoBitch · 02/11/2023 22:06

I am rubbish with kids, and I am not a fan of them. Most animals like me... cats not so much. I must give off 'dog person' vibes too much.

Flibbertigibbettytoes · 02/11/2023 22:09

The people I know who are outstanding with animals are also very appealing to children and potentially nervous people in general. I think it's about projecting security and confidence in a totally non-threatening way so they are instantly trustworthy.
But, I also know plenty of people who are great with animals and awkward as anything around all people inc kids, and people with charisma who send animals running because they don't know when to back off

Voteva · 02/11/2023 22:09

Yes. I get on extremely well with children and animals. It’s because I’m kind to them and treat them with emapthy and respect. Most people treat children like inconveniences and animals like toys.

VeridicalVagabond · 02/11/2023 22:10

Other way around, I'm naturally good with animals and kids seem to like me. I don't know why I as I'm very awkward around children and tend to talk to them like they're just really short 40 year olds because I don't know how else to talk to people.

RedCoffeeCup · 02/11/2023 22:13

I'm good with kids, nothing special with animals.

Bedazzling · 02/11/2023 22:16

Children yes a lot and animals as well but guess what I’m not too keen on large dogs at all so I don’t like them coming up to me.

DH jokes I’m like Snow White, sadly they don’t do my housework.

slavetothekittens · 02/11/2023 22:19

Am good with kids and even better with animals, I love animals and don't think I've ever met one that didn't like me.