I Detest Dogs and I Am Not a Horrible Man Existence

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Sarah McLachlan would like a word.

2018 is about over, and with it volition come the cease of the twelvemonth of the canis familiaris. Halle-freakin-lujah. These hirsuite creatures already get enough attending without an official 365-day period of dedication. From the countless Instagram dog accounts to the bulldogs stopping traffic on the streets, they're everywhere I turn. You volition not catch me cooing every time a furry four-legged fauna comes my way. Hither's the thing: I detest dogs.

Cue the inevitable cries of daze, disgust, and terror. "How can that exist possible?" friends and strangers alike always ask me. "Are you even human?" they'll ponder later 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'm tired of having to apologize for my opinions or mitigate the intensity of my feelings just to appease the puppy-crazed masses. No, I do not similar dogs, and no, I am not a cold-blooded monster.

My disdain for dogs comes from how I grew up. My family attempted to adopt a Bernese Mountain Dog when I was viii. "Attempted" is the cardinal give-and-take. Her name was Romy and she quickly became the family chore equally opposed to the family friend. She required time and energy constantly. Quite bluntly, nosotros Gallardos are simply not pet people. It's in our genes.

Instead of adoration, I felt excessive aloofness. I didn't intendance for Romy at all. Hearing her ambitious howl mid-morning to be taken outside for a walk didn't exactly motivate me to feel love and amore. Standing outside in the freezing cold every forenoon with a doggie bag in my hand while pending some fresh, warm animal poo didn't requite me a blitz of excitement that an owner might feel. Quite frankly, Romy needed way likewise much attention, which I simply did not take enough to give. I was — and am — in a state of my life in which I would rather interact with real humans than play fetch with furry neighbors at the canis familiaris park. Romy required way too much work, and she stripped me of my independence.

After owning her for two years, I realized the undeniable: Nearly dogs are dirty and evil-smelling. You tin can literally smell when someone owns a hirsuite creature. Maintenance of their hygiene requires time and money that I do non accept. On summit of that, dogs never exit you alone. Maybe it's my inner introvert talking, only I don't want to come home to a dog sticking its nose in my business and begging for attention. I desire peace, tranquility and solitude.

The thought of having to intendance for a brute that tin can't even hold a conversation with me is non enticing. It is a colossal waste product of my money and energy. This is where I feel like I demand to make a promise: I swear I am non a cold-hearted freak. I but accept dissimilar priorities than dog-lovers exercise. I retrieve dogs are smelly, unclean, abrasive and, ultimately, too much work. I shouldn't have to apologize for this.

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

One fourth dimension on a first date (later on listening to twenty minutes of stories almost his little Brewster's obedience class updates), a guy got very serious with me every bit he whispered, "Yous merely can't trust a domestic dog hater." I sipped my drinkable with a smirk and quipped, "But what if they like doggy style?" He about choked. I didn't run across him again.

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

Ane of the things that makes humanity so beautiful is the difference in opinions and backgrounds amongst people everywhere. Exercise we non believe in diversity anymore? Dog haters are the rare group that isn't encouraged to embrace its "difference." Instead, the entire collective is accounted appalling.

This is entirely unfair and my indignation cannot be kept placidity. Information technology appears that we alive in a order in which our personalities and distastes are alert signs. Non a fan of chocolate? You lot're inhuman. Dislike music? Y'all're insane. Don't desire a pet? Goodbye.

These judgments and denouncements are ridiculous, specially considering we are in an age that champions inclusion and acceptance. Inclusion isn't applied to us canine condemners. We're just "not human." This can't continue because our personal preferences are exactly that: personal. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, whether they stem from family traditions, personal experience or only a developed feeling.

Don't get me wrong; I go the appeal of dogs. They can be someone's best friend. They make full an emotional void with genuine unconditional dear. As companions, they're loyal, obedient and kind. They can fifty-fifty assistance those with a medical impairment. I remember that'due south astonishing and I respect it — from a very far, very necessary distance. This respect now needs to come from both ends. I'll respect the woof if you lot respect my opinion.

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