Are people without pets weird?

[notabitail]

As someone mentioned that weird doesn't have to mean an insult, or even judgement for that matter. To me, people without animals, or even without an interest in animals, are "weird" because animals have been my entire life and the main/only thing that has ever filled my head. I just don't know anything different but I DO 100% understand all the reasons someone may not, or even should not, have an animal.
They were my childhood, they were apart of my education, they're my job now.
Sometimes I wonder what a pet less life would be like and I know, for me, it would be the worst decision EVER. Animals have and do help with my mental and physical health. I’ve had times the only reason I'm getting out of bed is for my animals and the only reason I go outside and move around is because of them. I can't imagine having a life where I'm basically the only thing I have think about or look after. And no, I don't/can't really connect with humans to make up for that, definitely not in the same way I do with animals.
I also see no one getting defensive over someone calling people who keep animals weird, which they most definitely are as well

I know I'd probably be inside and fat all day if it weren't for the chickens.

 

[kattabelly]

People are weird, full stop.

Given how many pets are kept in ways that might not legally be considered animal cruelty, but are pretty far from ideal, it would probably be better if more people didn't have pets.

 

[redinator]

I know I'd probably be inside and fat all day if it weren't for the chickens.

^^^^ This is so true . . . they also save me the trouble of cutting grass . . . because I no longer have any

 

[notabitail]

^^^^ This is so true . . . they also save me the trouble of cutting grass . . . because I no longer have any

I wish I had grass out here... mine would love it and they need it

 

[thecatumbrella]

I don't have pets right now. Am I weird?
a little

Look, my husband saw someone with their dog in a shopping cart at THE GROCERY STORE. That is weird. And pretty unsanitary.

I look at it this way. Every single pet has specific needs. It wasn't bred to live in your home. You are responsible for providing those needs. People that acknowledge that they cannot meet those needs are not weird. They are responsible.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm weird in sooo many ways. (So I'm told).

And I have pets. I see no correlation, one way or the other.

 

[redinator]

I wish I had grass out here... mine would love it and they need it

I'm waiting for it to warm up to see if any comes back, but I highly doubt it. I use to have clover all winter and grass the rest of the year. There isn't a single patch of green anywhere in the backyard.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm weird in sooo many ways. (So I'm told).

And I have pets. I see no correlation, one way or the other.

Let us be weird together, sister.

 

[redinator]

I don't have pets right now. Am I weird?
a little

Look, my husband saw someone with their dog in a shopping cart at THE GROCERY STORE. That is weird. And pretty unsanitary.

I look at it this way. Every single pet has specific needs. It wasn't bred to live in your home. You are responsible for providing those needs. People that acknowledge that they cannot meet those needs are not weird. They are responsible.

I love my dogs and spoil them, but I still treat them like (and let them be) dogs.

I will take them places like Home Depot or pet stores to get out of the house and socialize when it's too hot or cold to be outside too long, but a grocery store . . . ?

If my dogs are in the car when we decide we need to pick up groceries one of us will wait in the car with them while the other shops . . . if no one is with me I'll take them home.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I wouldn't put a dog in a shopping cart (why?) but people take service dogs into grocery stores because they need them.

Having said that, non-service dogs (just pets) are allowed in a lot of places here. Costco, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Ace Hardware, coffee shops, bookstores, grocery stores, fabric/craft stores, bars, restaurants.

Keep in mind that for most of the year here it's too hot to leave a dog in the car and too hot to walk them outdoors. People bring dogs with them into stores and walk them in air-conditioned malls.

As long as the dog is leashed and well-behaved, I don't mind.