On entry to the M11 motorway services at Birchanger, a young man approached me and stopped me in my tracks.
“Cats or dogs?”
I was puzzled for a moment, but then saw that he was obviously working for an animal charity. Nevertheless, I gave a true answer.
“Neither, thanks.”
The man looked offended, as though I had committed some terrible crime. As it happens I am allergic to cats (sneeze, and skin comes out in big lumps if they touch me), and prefer not to be anywhere near dogs after being bitten badly by one as a ten-year-old. Dogs usually growl at me anyway as soon as they see me, and to be perfectly honest I do not trust any dog and always give them a wide berth.
The man stepped backwards, rattled his bucket, and accosted somebody else.
Unfortunately it seems I am in the minority when it comes to pets. I am supposed to fawn over everybody’s dog that I see on my walks around the village, and people get offended if I walk out into the road to get away from a dog on a long lead that has made its way towards me. I was shouted at once to grab hold of somebody’s dog that was not on a lead. The owner was a way behind, and the dog had ran towards me barking and then ran out into the road. I was terrified of the dog and no way was I going to grab hold of it. I carried on walking, the dog eventually ran back to its owner, but the owner did not speak to me for months. As far as I’m concerned, it was the owner’s fault for not putting the dog on a lead in the first place.
Many cats in the village use our garden as a toilet, probably because we don’t have a cat of our own to chase them off. I have planted lots of lavender bushes and Sam has put netting over some of the dirt in the flowerbeds, and happily these 2 things seem to have done the trick.
So, yes, we are not pet people, but we have the right not to be pet people, just as others have the right to own pets. I abhor people who are cruel to animals. My only problem is just that I don’t want to be around other people’s pets, and I’d really like dog owners especially to appreciate this.
How about you? Am I the only person in the world who says ‘neither’ when it comes to cats or dogs? Sometimes it feels as if I am!
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robertawrites235681907 said:
Hi Stevie, I adore my cat and sometimes carry her like a baby. But I do not expect other people to like her. She wouldn’t go to strangers anyway. I don’t mind dogs but we don’t own one.
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Ann said:
I don’t have any pets of my own but I live with three cats. I am not a cat person. I don’t mind the cats I live with. I guess that due to Stockholm syndrome.
I used to have a dog after she passed I’m not getting another one any time soon.
To keep cats out of the garden lay some mulch down and orange peels. Cats do not like the smell of citrus.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the tip, Ann.
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petespringerauthor said:
Full-time dog lover here. We’ve owned dogs my entire life. I inherited a cat when my wife and I first married, but she discovered she was allergic.
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Stevie Turner said:
I’m allergic to many animals and prefer to keep them all at a distance. The worst ones for me regarding allergies are rodents.
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tidalscribe.com said:
Dogs win in my mind for sure, but I have no intention of getting one; I couldn’t face picking up poo and they are more of a tie than children- children go to school and become independent! But dogs are wonderful companions and do jobs no cat would be seen dead doing; from guide dogs to bomb searching.
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, picking up poo, and dealing with hair and mud everywhere and that ‘wet dog’ smell. Ugh.
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Phil Huston said:
Years ago my GP told me I’d probably be better off allergy wise if I offed the pets. Always had one growing up and my mother was like a female Tarzan. She could say “knock it off” to a loose, snarling Doberman and it would obey. Birds, bunnies, squirrels, other people’s cats would follow her around. But I don’t appreciate dogs off leash or idiot owners who think their dogs need to interact with ours. Random poop is one of those things. I wish I could get my two dogs to poop in somebody else’s yard! But we have urban bobcats, coyotes and enough rabbits to feed them forever and they all drop it anywhere when the urge hits. The cat doesn’t go outside (no claws) which is why it’s lived to 14. When it’s gone the cat era is over. No more litter boxes. The dogs are crazy, but what the heck. Nobody is ever as glad to see me as my dogs or the 90 pound Shepard grand dog. But I get it. Many friends and acquaintances, my wife’s best friend in fact, do not like and or fear dogs. It’s okay. I don’t think it’s a sin of any kind to avoid critters that make you uncomfortable. Even the two legged kind🤣
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Stevie Turner said:
And a goat would follow your mother around too don’t forget, with you on the end of it.
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Phil Huston said:
The goat and I flew solo. That was Grampa and Gramma’s idea so they could get stuff done without me being underfoot.
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Stevie Turner said:
Did the goat ever get lost?
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Phil Huston said:
Never. Fortunately. We were never late, too dirty or scratched up. All little boys need a goat to keep them out of emergency rooms.
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Stevie Turner said:
Lol!
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harmonykentonline said:
I love dogs, and grew up with them, but have too many allergies for any pets. No wonder I was so bad with asthma as a kid.
Twice now, owners of dogs on long leads have let them pee on my false leg and mobility scooter. Each time, I was waiting for hubby and got ‘attacked’ from behind.
Nowadays, anytime I’m at a standstill for a while, I keep my head on a swivel and glare if the owners let their dogs come too close. I’m sure they think me massively anti-social, but I’m past caring by now.
I feel where you’re coming from, Stevie! 💕🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
I too have various allergies and keep all animals at bay if at all possible. Thanks for your comment, Harmony.
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beetleypete said:
As you know, I have a dog, and I am generally a dog-lover. I have no interest in cats, but understand why so many people like them as companions. I don’t let Ollie run up to anyone, and to be honest, he has rarely bothered to do that as he prefers to investigate other dogs. But I do see many irresponsible dog-owners allowing their pets to chase children playing with balls, or jumping up to old people and almost knocking them down. Liking pets isn’t compulsory, and you are right to avoid dogs if they scare you.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Stevie Turner said:
It seems to be the dog owners I have more trouble with! However, there’s a man in our road with 5 dogs. They are never on leads, but they walk close beside him to heel, and are amazingly obedient. I often tell him how well trained the dogs are, and he appreciates that.
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WorldWideWalkies said:
My Dad. He is not fond of any animals, but particularly hates cats, and has an almost pathological fear of dogs, which makes visiting awkward since we own four pooches. However, we respect his wishes and make arrangements for the dogs when we go and see him.
Obviously, I completely understand that not everyone likes dogs.
I don’t know how he fathered such an animal lover as myself, though. I’d have a menagerie if I could!
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Stevie Turner said:
I have seen that some people often end up the complete opposite of their parents. Perhaps your dad had a nasty incident with a dog as a child, like I did?
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WorldWideWalkies said:
He did – he was bitten by a Scottie when he was a child in the war (WWII).
He lived in a wooden petrol station and during air raids, used to hide under the table in the kitchen of the farm next door. It was their Scottie – he put out his hand to stroke it and it bit him.
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Stevie Turner said:
Ah, yes, that’ll do it. I was chased along the road by an Alsatian and then bitten in the thigh. Dad had to take me to hospital for a tetanus injection.
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WorldWideWalkies said:
Not nice.
It’s hardly surprising you dislike dogs. A bad experience like that when you’re young can really stay with you.
I’m so sorry. xx
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Stevie Turner said:
I’m afraid that’s correct.
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WorldWideWalkies said:
Poor you 😦
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
I fully understand you, Stevie! It is everyone’s free choice caring for a pet. It’s definitely not easy doing so, beside allergic reaction one can get. It seems the world is going more and more agressive on not sharing the view of the so called mainstream. Best wishes, Michael
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Stevie Turner said:
There seems to be a proliferation of dogs in our village too. I don’t mind just as long as they’re on a lead. What I particularly hate is when the dog runs up to me barking and growling and the owner says ‘Oh, he won’t hurt you’. Hmm… I beg to differ…
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Michael for the re-blog.
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Paul said:
No you are definitely not the only one. I think there are far too many cats and dogs and too many brain- dead owners! I too don’t understand why dog owners assume you are besotted with their dog. I’ve had many a rant at dog owners who let their dogs run right up to my grandsons in public parks. I will only give to certain wildlife charities and RSPCA.
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Stevie Turner said:
Ah, I’m glad I’m not the only one! Some dog owners especially seem to view their pet as though it’s human and talk to it like it was a child. If I’m out with Sam and he hears someone doing this he often answers for the dog in a loud voice. I have to nudge him sometimes and tell him to shut up, lol.
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Paul said:
Brilliant! I like it. I’d love to hear his answers.
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Stevie Turner said:
Some of them are quite funny – one owner told their dog to hurry up. Sam answered in his usual foghorn voice “Sorry Dad, but I’ve only got short legs.” On a couple of occasions I’m sure the owners have heard him. Oh well, the majority around here know our opinions on dogs anyway.
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