To find people who dislike animals a bit cold in general

[Tinhatattheready]

Yes it’s probably goady. Yes I’ve made an apt name change but...

Honestly - anyone I’ve ever met who’s “not an animal person” always seems to be a bit... off.

I’m not talking about those who are say scared of dogs, or a bit mistrustful of cats. I mean those who are very much “it’s just an animal” (and no I don’t include farmers in this either.

I know plenty of people who are nervous of animals and they’re lovely / but have known maybe around 3 people who really are jist “who cares” and they are not so nice.

This again?

I tend to find those that love dogs actually have a lot less patience for children

My mum was the warmest kindest person who did loads for the community and had loyal friends , but she wasn't keen on animals of any kind and disliked cat claws! My family ( apart from me) have owned many pets! They got them when they got married. because she wouldn't let us have any pets i think !
Most dog owners I know do nothing but moan about them !
The cost , the fees for day care if they go on holiday without them , going on holiday with them , the insurance costs, the vet bills, the medication they might need, the fact they ' have to ' get home for the dog ' if they are out somewhere etc etc.
Maybe I just know a lot of moaners (!) but all this has put me off having one !
They all love their pets and they are spoilt rotten etc , but the complaining! 😂
Then they get another puppy when the family dog sadly dies!

Im more disturbed by the people who claim to love their dog as much (and sometimes more! ) as their kids!

Aren't you just making sweeping generalisations Op? You're basing this on the sample of 3 people who you've noticed say Who cares, it's just an animal. I need more detail. What is that in response to?

For example;
I'm having a birthday party/wedding/ for my pug, hes so excited, look at all his pictures
I'm not too bothered, he's just an animal is an understandable response

Look at that cat , it's been abused and neglected by its owner
I'm not too bothered, he's just an animal shocking cold response.

YANBU, and I feel the same way about people who say they don’t like children.

I think a lot of these people have just never had a pet. My husband was very “meh” about animals when I met him & I had 2 cats. Thought it was going to be a deal breaker as I have always had pets & can’t imagine not having a pet. However now we have a cat and a dog and he is very much an animal person! He doesn't gush over other people’s pets or random animals but he is a proper dog/cat dad to our girls! Same with people that don’t care for kids I think- a lot of times you feel differently when it’s your own. Just my opinion anyway.

My inlaws dogs were wiped and cleaned after every walk or if they had to go into the garden for a poo! Paws and bums ; they had their own towels and cloths and were always up the groomers. One dog they owned lived on home cooked steak beef and chicken and turned his nose up at everything else! He cost them a fortune in food. Wasn't allowed on beds or furniture though!
He was a lovely dog but very highly strung and the whole family seemed to revolve around his needs! It was a bit bizarre!

Pumpkin I agree and would add that some hard core animal lovers admit they dislike all humans . E.g., I'd rather spend my time with animals, I can't stand people haha. I find that a bit cold too.

Op @Tinhatattheready you are being totally unreasonable.

I don't particularly obsess over, or speak about, animals as a whole. I happen to be vegan so I think I have some consideration for fauna, but I don't talk about the welfare of cats, dogs or horses in a simpering or over emotional way. I don't post stories in horror of excessive animal cruelty on Facebook (I'd need one to post of course) and I don't, most crucially, anthropomorphise animals and ascribe them human feelings.

It's the last one that seems to always be a thing for some people in this country.

"I'd much rather the company of a dog than any man".
"Animals are just as important if not more than human beings. I'd save an animal before most humans - at least animals aren't cruel".

Etc etc..

Now to my mind, THAT is a bit "off".

In contrast I've often found people who are obsessed with animals (obsessed, not general pet owners) tend to be a bit vacuous.

I would go as far as to say some people struggle to comprehend the spectrum of human emotion, therefore take refuge in animals as a way of coping with a "cruel world".

They then judge everyone by their limited abilities in order to feel better about themselves and strike out first.

Nonesense.

You can like and enjoy wild animals without wanting to share your home with a dog/cat/gerbil etc.
Lots of people have genuine concerns about the pet trade and, to me, it's pretty strange to say you "love animals" then buy one and give it a totally unnatural, dull life (this is the norm with "small pets").

Beyond which, YABVU if loving animals means I have to love Bozo the lab bounding up to me and covering me in mud and saliva whilst you bellow "dont worry he's friendly" at me.

The 'animals are nicer/kinder/better than humans' brigade tend to be utterly lacking in emotional intelligence.

Bit of a sweeping statement there. Don't see too many people on this thread claiming animals are so much better than humans.

People who recognise that animals shouln't be treated cruelly, but that they really are not on a par intellectually with humans are much more aware generally.

Again with the generalisations. Do you seriously believe that the majority of pet owner believe their cats and dogs to be intellectually on par with them?

If you're talking about people who call their dogs "fur babies" and the like, it's just a term of affection. They haven't mistaken their pet for a real life human baby.

I don't think they're 'cold', I'm just unlikely to be mates with one since I bang on about my dogs like a nutter all the time

Nonsense.

I'm very much a people person, love babies, kids, adore nature and wild animals. Can't stand animal cruelty. Not cold in the slightest.

Just don't really get the point of pets and prefer a clean house.

I think people are muddling pet ownership with what I’m talking about. I actually know pet owners who fall into third category.

At the other end of the spectrum I completely agree that people that say their pet is more important than anything tend to be odd.

i have friends who aren’t particularly fussed for animals, or who are scared of them - I don’t find them cold.

People who actively dislike them though, or don’t understand why you’d be upset over the death of your pet... that’s different.

YABU, I’m not a huge fan and this would never force an animal to be my pet.

Most big animal lovers I know tend to lack a lot of love from humans and see it as a bit of a substitute for this. My mil certainly did with her pampered pooches! She much preferred them to her husband I think..
They really did have to revolve their lives around the pets. She was a bit obsessed.

I like animals but I have always found the opposite. The people I know who are absolutely mad about animals are totally indifferent to human suffering and I find it quite scary. When I see people proudly declare that they love their dog more than their husband or their children, I find it a bit chilling.

Most people I know wouldn't describe themselves as animal people but they are perfectly warm and compassionate people.

@tabulahrasa that’s exactly the type of person I mean. Those who don’t realise that the loss of a family pet could be upsetting. Or those who see an animal appeal and think “meh” (not saying they should donate - just that they don’t feel any emotional “tug”.)

I’m fascinated by nature and wild animals. I just don’t get the point of pets. They seem very tying - people are always having to go home to let the dog out.

@Danglingmod

Nonsense.

I'm very much a people person, love babies, kids, adore nature and wild animals. Can't stand animal cruelty. Not cold in the slightest.

Just don't really get the point of pets and prefer a clean house.

And that makes total sense to me. Each to their own, and you express it well.

Why however someone would actually go as far as to call someone "cold" for holding different beliefs to them?!