I really can't stand people who don't like dogs!

[Scooter]

I was walking Zoe around the neighborhood. I keep her off leash because she stays by me and minds me really well. We came upon a woman getting something out of the trunk of her car. Zoe went up to her, tail wagging, and stopped about 3 feet from her with her head down in a submissive pose. The woman got a disgusted look on her face and said "get your dog away from me!" Now Zoe is about the cutest, friendliest dog you ever want to meet. I called her over and she came immediately. The woman still looked annoyed so I said "You know you don't need to freak out. She just wanted to say hello. Have a nice day." What a sourpuss!!

 

[Dekka]

I don't get people who dont' like dogs, but I would never walk my dog off leash in a city environment, even if I knew they would stay with me.

 

[Red_ACD_for_me]

Thats why I never let Caiza off lead other than doggy designated area's....not everyone likes dogs and some people may even show fear and the reaction the dog gets could turn any sweet dog into an aggressive one JMO. I remember my most sweetest love everyone GSD mix Bandit. I brought him to my mom's work one day and someone in the parking lot showed fear and reacted badly when they saw us coming (Bandit was on leash) but man did he ever snap.....never saw that side of my sweet boy before .

 

[squirtsmom]

My father in law does not like dogs much. When they come over, it is a hassle because I am not putting my dogs away for h im. They are well behaved, and not a nuisance.

 

[Aussie Red]

A person that does not at least make an attempt to tolerate dogs is not worth knowing. I have met many people who for one reason or the other really did not care for them but tolerated them and in fact found something cute about them even though they chose not to own one or had issues with some things dogs do.
But a person who finds no good at all in a dog or any other animal is not worth knowing. My opinion and sticking to it.

 

[Scooter]

We actually live in San Mateo- a pretty quiet suburb. A lot of dog owners around here walk off leash and it's usually not a problem.

 

[SisMorphine]

I love dogs. I have dogs. I work with dogs for a living.

But I HATE being approached by an offleash dog when I'm not in an area where it is known off leash. I don't want to be jumped on, drooled on, or covered in hair by someone else's dog. I don't want to have to go inside and wash my hands because I had to touch your dog to keep it from jumping/drooling/hairing on me. Sorry. I'm sure the lady could have found a nicer way to tell you, but I personally have no patience for an offleash dog that "just wants to say hi" to me, and I will be sure that the owner is aware of my feelings.

 

[RD]

People who can't tolerate animals are missing part of their soul, I've decided.

That being said, I don't like being approached by strange dogs and I *will* tell the owner to call their dog, or I'll tell the dog to back off. I've had too many bad experiences with aggressive strays to be comfortable with something like that.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

A lot of dog owners around here walk off leash and it's usually not a problem.

Regardless- it's not safe.

Not everyone has to like dogs, in fact, I prefer that not everyone like them because not everyone would be the best dog owners. We have enough people that "like" dogs and do more harm than good-whether it be a mutt or a purebred.

I have a friend who despises animals. Has some pretty horrid scares on his face from a dog attack when he was younger. But I like this person and respect him very much- regardless of whether he likes animals or not. Sure, I'd like for more people to be able to hold compassion for living things other than themselves, but it's certainly not for everyone and I almost prefer it that way.

 

[noludoru]

THANK YOU Aussie. Every single person I have ever met who professes to hate animals has had a truly rotten core. Two of the few people who have had this opinion have tried to **** my entire life up. If you cannot find any good in any type of animal, especially dog, and thing they're all [insert bad word here] you're not a person I would ever associate myself with. Period.

Sorry you had a crappy experience with her Scooter. If Zoe was bugged by it, make sure in advance the next strangers she meets are kind and love dogs... And maybe call her away from people before you know how they react. I know I never approach a dog without an owner anymore, and if I see the owner nearby I ignore the dog even if it comes up to me until I have an okay from their "parent" that they are friendly and okay to let sniff me. Then I give the owner a short, polite spiel about having their dogs under control and on leash and being polite to the neighbors. Not trying to flame you or anything here--just that even people who do love dogs are cautious. After being on Chaz I am 10x more cautious than I used to be.

 

[Debi]

I'm never the least bit offended if someone doesn't like dogs. my own children aren't that crazy about mine. they 'like' them, in that they'd never be cruel. but they don't want to hang around with them. it's no big deal to put the dogs out in their yard to play while my kids visit. it's a personal choice, and it's a person's right to feel how they feel. I'd never stand for anyone mistreating an animal, but they certainly don't have to like them. I also am not particularly fond of someone's dog running up to me off leash. sorry...

 

[Scooter]

Well you make a good point, and from now on I'll put her on leash if I see that we are approaching someone. You're right that it's not fair for me to let her near people who don't want her near. BUT- I still don't like people who don't like dogs. I can understand someone having a fear of them if they were once hurt, but they are the exception.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

If you cannot find any good in any type of animal, especially dog, and thing they're all [insert bad word here] you're not a person I would ever associate myself with. Period.

That's a sweeping generalization for those that do not like animals. To make this sort of comment makes you no better than the one who does not like animals. Do you know their story? Do you know they were attacked at five years old and almost died? Do you know that they were never allowed animals when younger and simply don't know what it's like? You sure don't.

ETA:

I can understand someone having a fear of them if they were once hurt, but they are the exception.

But how will you know why they don't like animals? You're still going to assume that everyone person who doesn't like animals is an ass when in fact you have no idea what their story may be...

 

[noludoru]

BP, I'm not attacking your friend--I didn't even see your post when I posted. Yes, it is a huge generalization. If someone can't find any sort of good in any kind of animal and profess to me that they hate them I really think there is something wrong there. I honestly don't think anyone truly right in the head would just automatically HATE all living creatures b/c they'd never been around them, or hate everything because they had been attacked. However, being afraid of dogs or disliking them because you'd been attacked is a whole other story.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

BP, I'm not attacking your friend--I didn't even see your post when I posted. Yes, it is a huge generalization. If someone can't find any sort of good in any kind of animal and profess to me that they hate them I really think there is something wrong there. I honestly don't think anyone truly right in the head would just automatically HATE all living creatures b/c they'd never been around them, or hate everything because they had been attacked. However, being afraid of dogs or disliking them because you'd been attacked is a whole other story.

Oh, I know you're not attacking. I was just giving the other side of the spectrum.


Would all of you that say you dislike people who hate animals want them all to be animal lovers? Would you prefer they run up to Dakota and Zoe and Bella eek and be all smooshy face with them and profess their love?

Uh, not me.

You don't like my dog? I don't give a rip, it's my dog. You don't like getting dog fur and slobber on you and your nice white pants when you visit? Don't visit.

That's the way it is for me. I don't want every person to have this love of animals- maybe if they were all responsible like so many Chazzers- but I just don't see it being a good thing. Don't get me wrong- I wish that more dogs had homes than being stuck in shelters and foster homes, but not every person is a dog person and it's pretty cruel to say they are soulless if they don't bend down to baby-talk Fido and scratch his ears.


I will say- I am more likely to like and be friends with animal lovers though- there is something special about them.

 

[BostonBanker]

Why in the world should everyone have to like dogs? I love dogs in general; I don't particularly like cats in general, but I've loved individual cats; I hate birds in general. I was never attacked by one and almost died; it's a general fear. Am I a horrible person? If someone's pet bird comes near me, you can bet I am going to tell them to get it away from me. I think it is wonderful that people get joy from whatever pet they want; it doesn't mean I want them near me.

I just don't get how you can say someone is a bad person because they didn't want your off-leash dog approaching them. She didn't yell or threaten you; she didn't kick your dog. She asked you to get it away from her. That's her right.

 

[Debi]

my sister had a terrible bite as a child...and without gorey details, let's just say a large part of her leg was taken. now....as stated, you can't know if the person is reacting because 'they don't like' dogs, or because they are scared to death. to be fair....hehehe.....I bet dogs don't like every person they meet!!!!!! are they horrible...nope.

 

[Scooter]

I guess I'm just biased when I say I don't like people who don't like dogs. Dogs to me are the embodiment of unconditional love and complete joy. But that 's my experience, and maybe people who don't like them have never gotten to know them like I have.

And, I don't automatically assume that ALL people who don't want my dog near them don't "like" them. You can tell the difference between someone who is afraid, and someone who is annoyed. The woman this morning was just annoyed- she had a look of utter disgust on her face. And for the record, Zoe is neither filthy or drooly.

 

[Herschel]

I guess I'm just biased when I say I don't like people who don't like dogs. Dogs to me are the embodiment of unconditional love and complete joy. But that 's my experience, and maybe people who don't like them have never gotten to know them like I have.

And, I don't automatically assume that ALL people who don't want my dog near them don't "like" them. You can tell the difference between someone who is afraid, and someone who is annoyed. The woman this morning was just annoyed- she had a look of utter disgust on her face. And for the record, Zoe is neither filthy or drooly.

I understand your point. We were in an airport with Herchel once and we were grabbing a bite to eat. A woman sat down somewhere near us and said, "Is that disgusting animal even allowed inside?" Yeah, lady, he's flying with us...

My parents, especially my dad, are afraid of dogs. They absolutely love Herschel, but if a random dog ran up to my mom while she was getting groceries out of the car she would probably panic and scream. That's fear.

Like Scooter said, there's usually a distinction between fear and disgust. For example, on my way back from a conference I sat next to a lady that was ranting the entire flight about a girl that was flying with a dog. She got a little carried away after a while, saying the girl should be kicked off of the plane, dogs don't belong with people and they belong outside in cages, etc. I politely mentioned that I fly with Herschel all of the time and we've never had any issues. I suggested that she wait until we are out of the aircraft before making any more comments.

 

[2pups622]

I love dogs. I have dogs. I work with dogs for a living.

But I HATE being approached by an offleash dog when I'm not in an area where it is known off leash. I don't want to be jumped on, drooled on, or covered in hair by someone else's dog. I don't want to have to go inside and wash my hands because I had to touch your dog to keep it from jumping/drooling/hairing on me. Sorry. I'm sure the lady could have found a nicer way to tell you, but I personally have no patience for an offleash dog that "just wants to say hi" to me, and I will be sure that the owner is aware of my feelings.

I AGREE !