Quote:
Originally Posted by chelsea24
While I can appreciate being afraid of a dog if you've been bitten, again, people are usually bitten because of an inattentive owner or misbehaved child. My hubby owned a Veterinarian practice for 35 years and I can tell you more times than not, it's a "human's" fault that they or their child was snapped at.
As far as pets go, yes, they are ours and we love them. But, in the same vain, although I have children, I feel the same way about people shoving their grandkids in my face. No! I don't always think they're cute and NO! I don't always want to hold them or even know them. So, Novelchick, with this in mind, should I ask people to lock up their grandkids when I come over???  Should I tell them "not interested" when they drag out the pictures??? I don't think so. I respect "THEIR" love for that child.
I, personally could not be friendly with a person that does not like animals. I've always been extremely proud of my husband's profession. As much as any doctor or nurse, he heals the sick. Possibly more difficult because the patient can't actually tell you what's wrong!
So, in my opinion, I would not even have people in my home that did not love animals and respect my love for mine.  |
hi chelsea i'll try again to explain my position on this topic. First of all, i have seen through my life experience that most times when someone is bitten it is the dog owners fault. If the dog is properly kept on a lease, not roaming around no one gets bitten. When a child is around a dog (WHICH IS A ANIMAL)the dog should be put away. That's a no-brainer. Children might pull at an animal by mistake and the dog can snap. how many times have people been bitten by pit bulls when the owners says "oh they never bit anyone before. They are still an animal. Take it to court, you lose!! You are responsible for your animal all the time!! Anyway, putting that aside, you quoted you could Never be friends with someone who does not LOVE animals!! Could I be friends with someone who LOVES animals!! YOU BET i could. Why? Because i Love the person for who they are, IF they are thoughtful and kind. Just because you love an animal and i don't doesn't make you better or me worse. I love people!! Would i be there for you (when i'm your friend) and you need me?? I sure will be. i can listen to your broken heart, share stories, help you when your ill, etc... which your doggie can't do. I can take you to the Dr., laugh with you, cry with you and enjoy life together. You compared a dog to a grandchild which really isn't a good paragon but here's the difference. When you visit my home when my grandchild is here, i dont' let my grandchild crawl all over you, spit on you, jump on you, or ask you to hold him. He is not put away (after all he is not an animal ) but we can occupy him with cartoons, coloring books, toys, etc that keep him occupied while you and i chat over coffee. His Mom and Dad take him out or watch him so it's not even an issue!! I raised my children to have respect for others feelings. If you have grandchildren and enjoy talking about them then we may. If you dont' have grandchildren I don't go on and on about mine!! We find other common interests we have and talk about those. I smoke. would i smoke in your home?? absolutely NOT. do i smoke when you visit me?? absolutely NOT If you don't smoke, i'll go outside a few minutes If i just can't wait for another cigarette( but i don't smoke that much that i can't) I usually wait. The bottom line is all non dog owners ask is that you be responsible for your dog. You choose to have an animal and i'm sure you love your animal. But when you have guests is it too much to ask that you put them away so they don't jump on us, sniff our private areas, get hair all over us, and distract us from spending quality time with you (my friend)? If that is too much then i guess we can't be friends. Because that is where i'm respecting you but your not respecting me. And what a loss for you. Because you will never meet someone who would be a better friend than me. I won't bore you with my grandchildren pics if you don't bore me with your doggie pics. I've been there, done that. it's over. Now that we finally retired it's our time to play, join everything, not be tied down to our kids or animals. That is our Dream retirement. Maybe someday when we're home more we'll want animals. But now we are so busy we don't. so if you really read into what i'm trying to explain (instead of getting defensive) you will find i can be a wonderful friend. I love everything about life, the villages, and being retired. I have a million things to share and talk about. But if your life is ONLY your dog then you lose out on so much more in life!! People are wonderful. Dog owners and non-dog owners!! Just respect each other. Stop and think next time you have friends over. say to yourself i wonder if i should put my dog in another room for awhile just in case it bothers suzi. and then we can spend some quality time together and talk about similar interests we share!!!! Give people a chance!! Don't close the door on them because they don't want to hear your doggie stories. They may be the most kind wonderful generous considerate friend you'll ever have!! And if you don't let them in because they don't LOVE animals like you do, you will never know what you lost out on. Because even though your doggie may give you unconditional love, so will a best friend!! And even better, they can hug you, hold you, and listen to you unlike an animal!!! Enjoy your animals but get out there with all kinds of people!!! That is the fun of living here. Learning all about others lives, what they did, what they are like, etc.. and put the judgement aside but most importantly learn to RESPECT others and we all get along!!! Have a Happy Day!! Now i'm off to next a exercise class and then dinner with friends and i can stay out as long as i want. i don't need to worry about getting home to let an animal out!! And i LOVE my Life and could not be happier!!!