Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that people who dislike dogs are bad people --that's absurd. But I could never be with someone who didn't love dogs. (I also refer to myself as a dog "owner" and not a dog "mom.")

So...if all else were ideal about this person, maybe he or she even does appreciate and respect dogs, but does not want to live with one -- you would choose having a dog over having that person in your life?

NP, but absolutely. For me, it's an essential part of life, like how most people want kids. I happen to not want kids, but I will always have dogs.

And I've never met someone I vibed with who didn't like dogs. People who don't like dogs are either uptight about cleanliness, lacking empathy, or seem almost threatened by the idea that humans are animals too, whether that's rooted in religion or just arrogance.

What's arrogant is making vast, sweeping generalizations about everyone on the planet who doesn't like dogs enough for your approval. As if you personally know exactly how countless strangers think and feel.

I wonder how you'd react if someone were as grossly generalizing about you? "People who are obsessed with dogs are slobs, hate people, and are threatened by the idea of having to deal with humans who might not adore them unconditionally and unquestioningly."

Get the idea? My statements about you are exactly as accurate as yours about me. Which is not at all, since we've never met.

But I have a feeling you think it's just fine for you to create stereotypes of others and bray those portrayals as if they're universal truths, because, after all, you love dogs so it's...OK for you stereotype strangers, I guess?

Yup
You're totally not uptight

Not uptight, just pi$$3d at idiots who think their pronouncements are Universal Gospel Truth. But then, mabye you really do believe that God is just Dog backward, so....

Anonymous wrote:I don’t really like dogs. But I can understand why people like dogs. Why is it so hard for people who do like dogs to not see the other side? It’s not a huge leap to think about the ways in which they are expensive and annoying.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This week's Carolyn Hx Reader question is ridiculous.

Dear Carolyn: Do you think someone can truly be a good person if they don't love dogs? I have a boyfriend whom I could really see a future with — except that he doesn't love dogs. I have such a problem with that.
He has never had a dog, says he has never wanted one, and, when he is around my dog, seems mostly indifferent. On the other hand, he's smart and funny and successful and kind. But it hurts me that he and I will go out and have a wonderful time together, and then we'll return to my house and I just want to hug my dog but my boyfriend is standing back like he thinks my dog is going to bite him or something. It just feels like it is a character red flag not to love dogs, isn't it?
— Must Love Dogs

There can be a lot of reasons that someone isn't a dog person - I didn't grow up with dogs, I'm not comfortable around them, I was bit by a dog once for no reason and the dog's owner refused to believe I didn't do something to provoke her precious little muffin (I literally held out my hadn't for the dog to sniff and dog chomped on me). But that doesn't make me any less lovable. It's fine for the OP to dump her boyfriend because he doesn't love her dog, but to say that he must be a bad person because he doesn't love her dog is narcissistic and if I were the BF, I'd think THAT was a red flag!!

What position was your hand in, OP, if you remember?

I'm sorry this happened and I totally understand how this could make someone a no-dog person, and that also makes me sad for what that person is missing, but I get it. Probably like me and cats; I just think they are dicks.

If your hand was in the wrong position and this was not explained at the time, I am sorry- and that still doesn't make it ok. If your hand was in a non-threatening position and the dog bit you, then that owner is a jerk and I hope their dog didn't go on to bite others. I don't think this is a character flaw in you.

I could be with a non-dog person possibly, as long as they also engaged with my pet, but if they didn't engage I don't think I could do it- like if I had a child and my partner wanted to also ignore them.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t really like dogs. I don’t want your dog to lick me. I don’t think it’s cute when they jump on me. I do not like having my crotch violated by your dog’s snout.

But I don’t hate dogs. Like they should be trained and fed and loved. But I don’t want to do any of that. At all. Not even a little.

What’s way more annoying than dogs shoving their nose in my crotch is owners who think it’s cute. Train your dog! No them licking my toes is disgusting and I don’t like it. Please call your dog and keep them away from me.

My friends have dogs. I pet them and talk to them. But I also don’t feel any sort of connection to them.

I’ve had pets that I loved. And I never expected anyone else to love my pet the way I did. Bc it was MY pet. Of course I like it more than you.

Why can’t dog owners get this? Your dog is generally not as well behaved as you think.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This week's Carolyn Hx Reader question is ridiculous.

Dear Carolyn: Do you think someone can truly be a good person if they don't love dogs? I have a boyfriend whom I could really see a future with — except that he doesn't love dogs. I have such a problem with that.
He has never had a dog, says he has never wanted one, and, when he is around my dog, seems mostly indifferent. On the other hand, he's smart and funny and successful and kind. But it hurts me that he and I will go out and have a wonderful time together, and then we'll return to my house and I just want to hug my dog but my boyfriend is standing back like he thinks my dog is going to bite him or something. It just feels like it is a character red flag not to love dogs, isn't it?
— Must Love Dogs

There can be a lot of reasons that someone isn't a dog person - I didn't grow up with dogs, I'm not comfortable around them, I was bit by a dog once for no reason and the dog's owner refused to believe I didn't do something to provoke her precious little muffin (I literally held out my hadn't for the dog to sniff and dog chomped on me). But that doesn't make me any less lovable. It's fine for the OP to dump her boyfriend because he doesn't love her dog, but to say that he must be a bad person because he doesn't love her dog is narcissistic and if I were the BF, I'd think THAT was a red flag!!

What position was your hand in, OP, if you remember?

I'm sorry this happened and I totally understand how this could make someone a no-dog person, and that also makes me sad for what that person is missing, but I get it. Probably like me and cats; I just think they are dicks.

If your hand was in the wrong position and this was not explained at the time, I am sorry- and that still doesn't make it ok. If your hand was in a non-threatening position and the dog bit you, then that owner is a jerk and I hope their dog didn't go on to bite others. I don't think this is a character flaw in you.

I could be with a non-dog person possibly, as long as they also engaged with my pet, but if they didn't engage I don't think I could do it- like if I had a child and my partner wanted to also ignore them.

Not the PP to whom you're responding, I'm a DP.

Your answer is kindly meant, but I hope you can step back and with a little objectivity see how the part in bold is basically equating a child with a pet. Do you have children, PP?

Omg, she didn’t say children and pets are the same. But they are both dependent on their parents (or pawrents) and thus occupy a somewhat similar position.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This week's Carolyn Hx Reader question is ridiculous.

Dear Carolyn: Do you think someone can truly be a good person if they don't love dogs? I have a boyfriend whom I could really see a future with — except that he doesn't love dogs. I have such a problem with that.
He has never had a dog, says he has never wanted one, and, when he is around my dog, seems mostly indifferent. On the other hand, he's smart and funny and successful and kind. But it hurts me that he and I will go out and have a wonderful time together, and then we'll return to my house and I just want to hug my dog but my boyfriend is standing back like he thinks my dog is going to bite him or something. It just feels like it is a character red flag not to love dogs, isn't it?
— Must Love Dogs

There can be a lot of reasons that someone isn't a dog person - I didn't grow up with dogs, I'm not comfortable around them, I was bit by a dog once for no reason and the dog's owner refused to believe I didn't do something to provoke her precious little muffin (I literally held out my hadn't for the dog to sniff and dog chomped on me). But that doesn't make me any less lovable. It's fine for the OP to dump her boyfriend because he doesn't love her dog, but to say that he must be a bad person because he doesn't love her dog is narcissistic and if I were the BF, I'd think THAT was a red flag!!

What position was your hand in, OP, if you remember?

I'm sorry this happened and I totally understand how this could make someone a no-dog person, and that also makes me sad for what that person is missing, but I get it. Probably like me and cats; I just think they are dicks.

If your hand was in the wrong position and this was not explained at the time, I am sorry- and that still doesn't make it ok. If your hand was in a non-threatening position and the dog bit you, then that owner is a jerk and I hope their dog didn't go on to bite others. I don't think this is a character flaw in you.

I could be with a non-dog person possibly, as long as they also engaged with my pet, but if they didn't engage I don't think I could do it- like if I had a child and my partner wanted to also ignore them.

Not the PP to whom you're responding, I'm a DP.

Your answer is kindly meant, but I hope you can step back and with a little objectivity see how the part in bold is basically equating a child with a pet. Do you have children, PP?

Anonymous wrote:I dislike when dog hair is on clothing. It looks unkept, but dogs are ok in small doses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like small, sweet natured, old dogs. They are few and far between. I am a nature lover but I feel that cats and dogs are not good for the environment.

Are f-ing kidding me?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that people who dislike dogs are bad people --that's absurd. But I could never be with someone who didn't love dogs. (I also refer to myself as a dog "owner" and not a dog "mom.")

So...if all else were ideal about this person, maybe he or she even does appreciate and respect dogs, but does not want to live with one -- you would choose having a dog over having that person in your life?

NP, but absolutely. For me, it's an essential part of life, like how most people want kids. I happen to not want kids, but I will always have dogs.

And I've never met someone I vibed with who didn't like dogs. People who don't like dogs are either uptight about cleanliness, lacking empathy, or seem almost threatened by the idea that humans are animals too, whether that's rooted in religion or just arrogance.

Anonymous wrote:I like small, sweet natured, old dogs. They are few and far between. I am a nature lover but I feel that cats and dogs are not good for the environment.