I Hate Dogs and I Am Non a Horrible Human Existence

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Sarah McLachlan would like a word.

2018 is almost over, and with it will come up the cease of the twelvemonth of the canis familiaris. Halle-freakin-lujah. These furry creatures already get enough attending without an official 365-day menses of dedication. From the endless Instagram dog accounts to the bulldogs stopping traffic on the streets, they're everywhere I turn. You volition non catch me cooing every fourth dimension a furry four-legged beast comes my way. Here's the matter: I detest dogs.

Cue the inevitable cries of shock, disgust, and terror. "How can that be possible?" friends and strangers alike e'er ask me. "Are you lot fifty-fifty human?" they'll ponder after watching me remain indifferent in the presence of a palm-sized pooch.

Supposedly, humanity rests in pet adoration. Those that are decidedly disinterested in four legged-friends are stigmatized outsiders. I'k tired of having to repent for my opinions or mitigate the intensity of my feelings just to appease the puppy-crazed masses. No, I do non like dogs, and no, I am non a cold-blooded monster.

My disdain for dogs comes from how I grew up. My family attempted to prefer a Bernese Mount Dog when I was eight. "Attempted" is the key discussion. Her proper noun was Romy and she quickly became the family unit chore as opposed to the family friend. She required fourth dimension and free energy constantly. Quite bluntly, we Gallardos are simply non pet people. It'south in our genes.

Instead of adoration, I felt excessive aloofness. I didn't care for Romy at all. Hearing her aggressive howl mid-morning to be taken exterior for a walk didn't exactly motivate me to feel dearest and affection. Standing outside in the freezing cold every morning with a doggie bag in my paw while awaiting some fresh, warm animal poo didn't give me a rush of excitement that an owner might experience. Quite frankly, Romy needed manner also much attending, which I simply did non have enough to give. I was — and am — in a country of my life in which I would rather collaborate with real humans than play fetch with furry neighbors at the canis familiaris park. Romy required manner too much work, and she stripped me of my independence.

After owning her for two years, I realized the undeniable: Well-nigh dogs are dirty and evil-smelling. Yous can literally smell when someone owns a furry creature. Maintenance of their hygiene requires fourth dimension and money that I practice non have. On top of that, dogs never exit yous alone. Maybe it's my inner introvert talking, simply I don't desire to come dwelling house to a dog sticking its olfactory organ in my business concern and begging for attention. I desire peace, repose and solitude.

The thought of having to care for a creature that tin can't even hold a conversation with me is non enticing. Information technology is a colossal waste product of my money and energy. This is where I feel like I need to brand a promise: I swear I am not a cold-hearted freak. I just have different priorities than dog-lovers practise. I think dogs are smelly, unclean, annoying and, ultimately, as well much piece of work. I shouldn't have to apologize for this.

Puppy bait doesn't work on me. The number of Tinder profiles I've come up across with the cringe-inducing "That'due south my dog" bios referencing dog-owner personality shots has made me realize even more than emphatically how rare I am to not be interested in swiping right.

1 time on a first date (after listening to 20 minutes of stories about his little Brewster'south obedience class updates), a guy got very serious with me every bit he whispered, "You just can't trust a dog hater." I sipped my drink with a smirk and quipped, "But what if they like doggy way?" He virtually choked. I didn't see him again.

It's not only potential romantic prospects that don't trust someone who doesn't like dogs. It seems like it'south anybody. Dog disdain is met with stigmatization and daze. A quick Google search on disliking dogs leads to a downward spiral into the inner workings of online forums where people opine with zero restraints under the disguise of an internet persona. One Quora fellow member wrote that finding out someone he knows doesn't like dogs "is a warning point that something is wrong with this person, and I would avert them."

One of the things that makes humanity so cute is the difference in opinions and backgrounds amongst people everywhere. Do we not believe in multifariousness anymore? Canis familiaris haters are the rare group that isn't encouraged to embrace its "difference." Instead, the unabridged collective is deemed bloodcurdling.

This is entirely unfair and my indignation cannot be kept quiet. Information technology appears that we live in a society in which our personalities and distastes are warning signs. Not a fan of chocolate? Y'all're inhuman. Dislike music? You're insane. Don't want a pet? Cheerio.

These judgments and denouncements are ridiculous, especially considering nosotros are in an historic period that champions inclusion and acceptance. Inclusion isn't practical to the states canine condemners. We're just "non human." This can't go along because our personal preferences are exactly that: personal. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, whether they stalk from family traditions, personal feel or simply a adult feeling.

Don't get me wrong; I become the entreatment of dogs. They can be someone's best friend. They fill an emotional void with genuine unconditional beloved. As companions, they're loyal, obedient and kind. They can even help those with a medical impairment. I think that'due south astonishing and I respect it — from a very far, very necessary distance. This respect at present needs to come from both ends. I'll respect the woof if yous respect my stance.

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