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I enjoy most animals; I occasionally catch myself staring at them like a moronic first grader. I find domestic critters infinitely fascinating and am always willing to say hello. Of course, I also consider all pets inevitably neurotic from over exposure to inconsistent human animals.
A couple months ago, when visiting a friend, he asked me if I was a "dog person." I nearly said no, having far more sympathy for the contrary cat. I then understood question wasn't what home fur ball I declared allegiance for, but rather if I tolerated dogs at all. I made nice at the canines in question before they were spirited away; someone was not a "dog person."
It was an unusually astute question. Many people seem to assume everyone will feel the same way toward their chosen animal companions as they do. Dogs, particularly large dogs, make some people uncomfortable. Pet stores that are animal friendly can give the parakeet owners panic attacks as the gregarious mastiff comes over to check their religion. I've even known people freaked by cats.
Today I visited a farm that sells exceptional dead animal parts. Dogs immediately came to visit us. One was extra large, a mutt with a Saint Bernard looking head. I played Doctor Doolittle for a moment, meeting. greeting (and distracting) three excited dogs while my "not dog person" driver headed quickly into the store.
I wondered how many customers greeted by the local wolf pack were reluctant to leave the car. Had they lost any sales? I doubt such a possibility would even have occurred to them. Dog people tend to just say, rather dismissively, "oh, it's ok, they're friendly."
A couple months ago, when visiting a friend, he asked me if I was a "dog person." I nearly said no, having far more sympathy for the contrary cat. I then understood question wasn't what home fur ball I declared allegiance for, but rather if I tolerated dogs at all. I made nice at the canines in question before they were spirited away; someone was not a "dog person."
It was an unusually astute question. Many people seem to assume everyone will feel the same way toward their chosen animal companions as they do. Dogs, particularly large dogs, make some people uncomfortable. Pet stores that are animal friendly can give the parakeet owners panic attacks as the gregarious mastiff comes over to check their religion. I've even known people freaked by cats.
Today I visited a farm that sells exceptional dead animal parts. Dogs immediately came to visit us. One was extra large, a mutt with a Saint Bernard looking head. I played Doctor Doolittle for a moment, meeting. greeting (and distracting) three excited dogs while my "not dog person" driver headed quickly into the store.
I wondered how many customers greeted by the local wolf pack were reluctant to leave the car. Had they lost any sales? I doubt such a possibility would even have occurred to them. Dog people tend to just say, rather dismissively, "oh, it's ok, they're friendly."