My family used to keep a cat or dog at one point or another, but I didn't find them appealing at all. I was bitten by my dad's dog when I was 3 and have been wary since, and my little sister's kitten was sickly and vomitted frequently and lived a short life, I lost my box turtle when I was 4.. I just haven't had much good experience with them.
I think someone who hasn't given a real chance to like or dislike something or someone is petty, so I was wondering what would be a good way to start learning how to appreciate a pet, or pets, or at least the safest way (for the pet and me) for me to decide that pets just aren't for me.
2006-12-04 17:37:41 · 7 answers · asked by antsam999 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Just to let you know there is hope! My brother in law hated dogs..with a passion..when he was a child, he was made to take care of a string of coon-hounds, on chains. Every day they knocked him down and he was tormented by them.
when he was about 40 years old, his 3 girls wanted a puppy so badly that he finally relented..We gave the girls a sweet Pekingese, and he did learn to love that little dog so much, that he was crazy about it!! Bragged all the time about it...
Just wanted you to know, that there is hope to learn to love a pet..
I would recommend rescuing a small non-aggressive breed of dog, such as this irresistible Maltese> http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7467981
One that is already house trained, and sweet and gentle..I'm betting that she could really warm your heart toward her.
Just put in your own zip code to fine a lovely dog near you..and, as you are saving a dog's life by adopting from one of these rescues, it will be even sweeter..
Although most of the dogs on this site are not in danger of being put to sleep, for each one that is adopted, the rescue can save another one from a high kill shelter..
2006-12-04 18:19:24 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Volunteer at your local Animal Shelter or vet hospital. You will get a taste of many different animals. Dogs and Cats make wonderful pets if you treat them kindly. Most people having had a bad experience when they were young, grow up to have a dislike for the particular animal. I praise you and respect you for giving yourself a chance at loving an animal. There are many animals out there that really need homes and someone to love them. There are bad animals just like there are bad people. So don't condemn a whole group by one bad apple. You will learn a lot by volunteering and I'm sure the shelter you help will appreciate you too! Good luck and God bless you.
2006-12-05 01:44:57 · answer #2 · answered by a10cowgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keeping pets isn't for everybody. My family had lots of pets when I was younger. A tradition I continued, but I'm the only one of my siblings that did. My younger sister really doesn't like animals at all. If you think you'd enjoy a pet then do some research and see what animal would be most suitable for you. If you don't fancy the idea don't get one. It's kinder for you and the animal in the long run.
2006-12-05 02:30:40 · answer #3 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing for you and whatever animal that you get involved in would be to volunteer and see what makes your heart go pitter-patter.
There are all kinds of things that you can do.
Volunteer at your local animal shelter, rescue group and\or wildlife recovery.
Take trips to the pet stores. Lots of them..different stores. Meet the people and just check out how the animals and people get along.
Ya never know....you could have a real knack with something like horses but you just never had the opporitunity to be around them.
Get to know the people and let them know what you are doing and if they are any kind of an animal lover at all they will help you get introduced to whatever animal that they are familiar with.
Animals are totally awesome.
Once they know that you are not there to hurt them and that you want to be friends with them ..they are THE BEST friend that you could ever have!
Here are some good things to consider about house pets. (excluding things that have scales or look like they should have..) (ick)
They will never steal from you..(ok, maybe a hotdog or burger that stayed too long on the table in front of them)
They will never lie to you..(then again, they aren't going to run up and tell you that they were the one that knocked over the garbage in the kitchen)
They are always glad to see you..NO MATTER WHAT.
They will listen to you and try so hard to understand you.
They really want to please you.
They are ALLWAYS waiting.....just for YOU.
You can yell at them.....and they still love you just as much (with every bone in their body)
You can tell them your deepest thoughts and you don't have to worry about them yakkin' it all over town.
The list goes on...but you get the idea..
Just get around as many different kinds of animals as you can. Make an adventure out of it. Like ....something that you do for yourself every Fri. or Sat. .... something like that.
And the most important thing of all .....is to HAVE FUN doing it.
It should be fun for you. If you aren't having any fun then you aren't doing it right ...so try to find a different aproach at whatever animal that you are 'getting to know'.
Have fun~wink
2006-12-05 02:10:13 · answer #4 · answered by oodlesoanimals 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
VOLUNTEER AT A SHELTER!!!!!!!!! seriously. controlled environment, it'll give you a chance to observe and not have the LIFETIME commitment. sometimes they need extra dog walkers.
or you may be lucky enough to find the pet that has been so mistreated by people that will find in you a friend he or she can trust. when i was 12 i bought a small horse. it's medical history was not divulged to me. i didn't know it had been on tranquilizers. when he came off his high and attacked me, i became a little nervous. a friend that i worked for and bought and sold horses at auction bought this old mare that had been severly abused. he bought her for me. she was skittish around people so we bonded pretty quick. we were best friends for about 3 years. she wouldn't mind anyone else.
2006-12-05 09:46:22 · answer #5 · answered by Isis Is: HOPEFULL HOUNDS RESCUE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try volunteering at the humane society or animal shelter first. Also, sometimes they need Foster Homes for animals while they are waiting for a spot at the shelter. That would be a good way to learn about your feelings for animals. Please do not purchase an animal until you know you are ready to keep it, care for it and love it. Animals have separation issues when they are abandoned.
2006-12-05 01:42:52 · answer #6 · answered by Yinzer from Sixburgh 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hmm... maybe you should try taking care of it. i think for most people... when they have to take care of something (kids or pets), they begin to feel a sense of ownership and they just become attach to it.
2006-12-05 01:41:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋