What do you mean you don't want one too?

[ChristiKayAnn]

And don't assume that just because I have a cat (okay 2) I want another. 

2 cats was a very thought out plan.  I have two so that when my schedule turns crazy, which it does every November-December, they can keep each other company and not be lonely or neglected when I am working 12-16 hours a day. But 2 is enough. 2 is all I have time, money, and energy for. When I am transfer because of my job I may be living in an apartment again and most apartments do not allow more than 2 small pets.

Besides my cats don't really like other cats when they see them through the window walking through my yard so why would they like one in their house. I don't care if you found out you are allergic to you beloved kitty. Find someone else. Just because I have cats I does not mean I want yours, too.

[RoseRose]

(oh how do dogs LOVE me!)

How DO they know? My cat is positively antisocial until a non-cat person comes into the house. Then, she turns into an attention wh*re, purring and rubbing all over the poor soul's legs until I can intervene.

I respectfully disagree with anyone who suggests animals don't have a sense of humor (and a dark, twisted one, at that).

I don't have any pets (no room for them) but I do want cats later.  This story, however, is about one of the many cats belonging to my best friend's family.

My father HATES cats (bad experience with the cat of a relative stealing his breakfast when he was a kid).  This cat will come up to him and BEG to be pet, rub up against him, even walk on the table to him.  There have been times when my brother has been there as well, and his only task is to keep this one cat away from my father.  (They have 6 cats in that house, and my father met even more of theirs due to the fact that there has been some change in which cats are there, and this one is the only one to be THIS persistent about it.)

[dietcokeofevil]

And while we're at it....I understand you love your dogs, but what in the world makes you think that it's acceptable to bring them to my house when you visit.

[kingsrings]

And while we're at it....I understand you love your dogs, but what in the world makes you think that it's acceptable to bring them to my house when you visit.

Ugh! This is one of my sore points with some of my dog-owning friends. Nobody ever comes over to my house, so that's not an issue with me, but they have brought them along on trips we've taken and to other people's houses. This has caused problems because then we have to accomodate the dogs and can't do some of the stuff we want to do, like dine in an indoor restaurant. But these people just think that since their dogs are their kids, they can just bring them along everywhere.

[minnaloushe]

I think pets, like children are very personal.  I like dogs, but don't have one, because of the apartment.  That doesn't mean I'm a dog hater. I have cats, but that doesn't mean I LOVELOVELOVE cats. I don't have to have cats curtains or purses or sweaters, or calendars (FIL!) As a matter of fact I think my boy cat is The Worst Cat Ever!(tm).

My sister is very allergic to cats, but still wants to come visit, so I clean as much as I can and we leave when I see it's getting too much for her. But I never ask her to stay, because I know it's uncomfortable for her.

As for bringing dogs to my house, do so at your own risk.  Don't come crying to me that Mr. Bean (the aforementioned W.C.E.) decided to beat your puppy up. I warned you before hand. Oh, and clean up your messes. Just because you are a guest doesn't mean I'm going to be happy about cleaning up the dog pee on my carpet.  That's another reason why we have cats!

[Pixie]

I believe pets and children do best in homes where they are wanted and loved.   I would not assume everyone wants kids, and I would not assume everyone wants pets.   Now if someone mentioned they were lonely, I might ask, "Have you thought about getting a pet?"  But I wouldn't TELL them they should get one.  But I've always been a firm believer that just because something is right for me, doesn't mean its right for everyone.   

[ehartsay]

Don't tell me it's "only for a few minutes" or that you "just vaccuumed". None of that matters and I don't care. From what I have seen it is IMPOSSIBLE to not have fur all over your house if there are animals in it. I just can't imagine.

I have to laugh at this. I looooove animals. And I do, in fact, let my cats sleep on my bed. 

But just vacuuming the rugs? Sheesh! There's pet hair on the furniture, too, people. And the linoleum, and the curtains, etc., etc.
And when you get rid of that, there will still be animal dander in the underpadding of the rug, and the stuffing of the furniture!

It is certainly possible to get rid of it, if you try hard enough.
But people who tell you "they vacuumed, so their house is totally fine for someone with allergies" are just fooling themselves.

I sort of fell the way about some kids!

Butthis is why I understand not to waste my breath inviting my cat-allergic friend to my house -
I understand that EVERYTHING has cat hair/dander on it (as well as MY hair - I have 3 feet + so I shed a LOT - probably more than the cat!). And when it comes down to it, he wwas there first!

[ehartsay]

On a related note, don't assume I don't like animals because I say I can't have one right now.  I don't live alone, I'm out of the house for at least 13-14 hrs a day, and I really can't afford one.  None of which means I don't love them dearly, despite my allergies. 

As much as I agree with the OP that it's not fair to be labeled a hater because of not liking animals that much, it's just as annoying to be labeled a hater when the exact opposite is true. 

Yes, I know what you all mean.  I love animals and they love me (especially cats- I have no idea why; I just have this thing with them).  But I had no job for over a year, am in school, and now that I am working, am not home during the day.  My neighbor's cat, who loves me (!) and crawls all over me when I come home, is more than enough, thanks.  I don't want to take on the responsibility right now.  That doesn't mean I don't like them.

At one point, when I was living with my ex, we had 7 dogs, 14 cats, 5 cattle, 2 horses, 2 little mules, 45 chickens, 5 turkeys, 3 guineas, 1 beta fish and I took care of them all.

I WISH mor epeople had this sort of sense when it comes to both getting a pet and having a child!!!!

Perosnally I only WISH my kitten would get under hte covers. Then again I only have a space heater in myu apartment and it doe snot reach to my bedroom so somethimes I have woken up with hair so frozen it has broken off (my room is so tiny my head HAS to be under the window). And he probaby is cleaner than me and loves water....

[Sleepingmediocre]

And don't assume that just because I have a cat (okay 2) I want another.

How true!  I have a terrible problem with this--I've somehow gained a reputation at work for being "the cat lady" (even though I own a grand total of 1 cat, and the lady at the desk next to mine has 6), and people are CONSTANTLY trying to give me cats!  They say things like "Don't you want another to keep yours company?" or "Since you love cats so much, I just KNOW you'll want to adopt the six smelly intact strays that have been eating garbage out of the vacant lot next to my house."  When I say no, they tell me "You don't strike me as a one-cat person!"  My standard response is, "It doesn't matter whether I'm a one-cat person, because Cassie is a one-cat cat!"

[StaciNadia]

I looooooove kitties.  We started out feeding the stray cats outside.  Then a little kitten appeared at our door.  The other cats didn't like her, and we thought she should be an indoor cat.  Say hello to Mimi!  One cat, one dog, all good.  Ricky came to our house once, disappeared for a few months, and then reappeared in our backyard.  Clearly, he wanted to come to our house as much as Mimi.  Mimi hated Ricky because he always pounced on her and wanted to play.  Two cats was enough for us and FMiL.  But then a widdy biddy 2-week-old abandoned kitten was found.  FMiL and I bottle-fed the poor thing.  It was like having a baby, feedings every three hours.  How could we abandon such a little dear?  Ricky adopted Muchi and treated him like a mother (yes, Ricky is MALE).  They're the best of playmates now, and Mimi has been left alone for the most part, though she will play with Muchi occasionally.  So, one dog, three kitties, and aaaaaaaaall the strays outside.  I'd say we do pretty good!   

One of FMiL's friends is allergic, so we keep the kitties away from her when she visits.

[fklwmn]

And while we're at it....I understand you love your dogs, but what in the world makes you think that it's acceptable to bring them to my house when you visit.

UGH, my aunt used to bring her little furry dog (no idea what kind, but think tiny with LONG LON LONG hair) to every holiday. When I come to your house for Christmas, I KNOW I am going to have to deal with your animals, and I KNOW I am going to spend the day sick no matter how much medicine I take. But when we get together at my mother's house (she who has NO pets and never wanted one)? Please have some respect for my allergies and leave the dog at home.  In fact, have some respect for your nephew as well (who your dog hates with a passion) and leave the dog at home.

On the other hand my cousins have a dog. Maybe a lab? I am not sure, but it;s a good sized dog that they seem to carry with them EVERYWHERE. But I have never seen her b/c they leave her in the back of their truck in her crate, except for taking her out to use the bathroom. I can't figure out why they would haul her on a day long trip and leave her in the crate unless sheis just so bad they can't leave her at home. Her name IS Naughty after all...

[fklwmn]

I do have to add that I have very few friends without pets so when one of my friend announced they have decided to get (or have already gotten) a pet, my heart always falls just a little bit, knowing it's just one more friend I will NEVER be able to visit.

Right now I have a grand total of ONE friend who doesn't have any pets, and they are planning to get a dog soon!!!

[hkkatie]

Oh my word... I could have written the OP myself! (Well, except for the allergy part. That's where dh comes in.)    As a matter of fact we have been house sitting for some dear friends for the last 3.5 weeks (they come home tonight. hallelujah!) and they have a cat and a dog that we have been taking care of. Thankfully, this cat doesn't agitate dh's allergies like most do. But man, the hair EVERYWHERE, the smells, the walks and picking up poo... NOT my idea of a good time. Dh and i have both decided that we will most likely NEVER have pets because we just don't have the patience for them.

(oh and not to mention the behavioral issues. This dog is so poorly trained, my eyes hurt just looking at him. and the cat seems to poo everywhere but the litter box. I could go on and on and on about the things these animals have put us through in the last 3.5 weeks, but I'll stop here....)

but I totally respect and admire those that do have pets that they love and take good care of. Like I've always said, it takes a really special person to be an animal lover, but I'm just sorry that person isn't me.

[HogwartsAlum]

At one point, when I was living with my ex, we had 7 dogs, 14 cats, 5 cattle, 2 horses, 2 little mules, 45 chickens, 5 turkeys, 3 guineas, 1 beta fish and I took care of them all.

Holy Mackinoley. How did you get any sleep?

LOL!! It only took about an hour to do chores - fill their water, feed them and flip a couple of flakes of hay at them.  In the summer it was easier because I could just haul the hose around with me, but in the winter, I had to haul buckets of water. I didn't like that part!
It was good exercise, too.  Someday I would like to have a place in the country again where I can have chickens - I liked raising chickens.