I will elaborate more in the replies, just be nice.
Tldr… I hate how one of the most common advice you receive as a loner without social life or a partner is to get a dog. I’m taking care of a dog for a while now as a favour, since I’m unemployed and have “nothing to do” (my brother went to his gf beach holiday house for the summer with her, his daughter, my younger siblings and my mom, couldn’t take the dog, it’s old) and I’m miserable, I HATE this. I don’t wanna have to deal with any animal after this.
I also don’t like dogs, and whenever I say it out loud it’s like I just killed someone’s mom. It’s not a popular opinion to express, but I express it whenever I get the chance so the dog-obsessed know they’re welcome to pretend that they’re entitled to dominion over every fucking public space, but it’s an inconsiderate delusion.
I’ve been allergic to pet dander my whole life, and I will usually break out in hives just from being in the same room as someone who owns a dog. Yet, I’m still expected to pretend that I love their precious furry angel. Lately, I just let people know that couldn’t be further from the truth. That said, I absolutely adore cats. But I’m just as allergic and would never own one.
It raises flags because most people who dont like dogs are either afraid or dont get a long with them. If you were afraid you’d say that, but you said you dont like dogs so the reasonable assumption is that you dont like dogs because dogs dont like you.
Its hard to find a comparison but it would be similar to saying “I dont like my mom”. Unless you have a follow up story involving abuse that was not your fault, you are the problem.
That said, there are plenty of people who feel immense fear around dogs or other negative emotions, and while that perspective can be changed over time, its by no means required.
I think this whole post would benefit from the OP adding more background about why they feel so negatively towards dogs, but they seem to want to blame it on dogs or their family rather than think about that.
So there’s no room at all for personal preference? I’m afraid of big scary mean dogs, yes, but not all dogs. And the dogs that I’ve interacted with over the last three decades have actually liked me quite a bit, but I haven’t liked them. So your assumption, in my case, is flat wrong.
Some people like things that others don’t, others don’t like things that some people do. That’s a part of being a person in a society with other people.
Honestly, it’s attitudes like this that are a big part of why I don’t like dogs. Many dog owners think they have the right to impose themselves and their dogs on everyone without a second thought because they assume there’s no way anyone in the world wouldn’t love their precious little dog. They think people who don’t like a specific furry little animal somehow throw up red flags and shouldn’t be trusted. Well that’s just wrong, insulting, and frankly demonstrates a lack of empathy that is alarming.
Where do you think personal preference comes from? You are born either liking or hating dogs? You need to do some better reading as it appears you replied after reading a quarter of my post.
And yes, someone who reacts like the OP to the situation they are in is a red flag for me. They are childish and selfish, and can’t even consider that the dog is a whole other living being that is involved in this situation.
It shows an incredible lack of compassion or understanding and thats not even considering the attitude they have towards their actual human family members.
I understand wanting to vent but this is not that, this is asking for validation. I would never post something so awful about myself but hey, different perspectives right.
Dude you’re wrong