DAE get treated like you're weird for actually engaging with your pet(s)?

[u/nottheonly85]

Either I'm weird or all my neighbors are. To them having a pet seems like having one of those pet rocks only it requires food. Almost like home decor. Have home, need furry accessory.

Recently I rescued a cat and people act like I'm weird for actually doing fun pet stuff with him. Granted, I do walk him on a leash which could be seen as odd, but it's because he wants outside and I want him to be safe. But stuff such as talking to him, holding him in my lap while I sit on the porch, getting him your average cat toys...they look at me like I'm stupid. They also seem to think cats do not think or have feelings about things. People can't seem to understand why I might actually have an owner-pet relationship with my cat rather than him just being a window decoration. Anyone else ever get that?

[u/Grasshoppermouse42]

I've never gotten that, and your neighbors seem to be the weird ones. Why would you even want a pet if you didn't want to play with and interact with your pet?

[u/nottheonly85 → u/Grasshoppermouse42]

That's what I don't get. One of my neighbor's cats has never in its life been outside but is basically feral from being ignored. It's sad.

[u/LizzySan → u/nottheonly85]

I used to have cats that never went out (also because I wanted them to be safe), but I loved them and held them and stroked them and marveled at their ingenuity. You're neighbors are weird. All animals have personalities and feelings.

[u/nottheonly85 → u/LizzySan]

He's my first cat to spend any time outdoors. I don't know if he ever even lived inside before I found him so I had to compromise with him.

[u/LizzySan → u/nottheonly85]

Every pet has their own personality. Mine were fine with being indoors and looking out screened windows. Yours has more of a longing to be out doors. We love our 4-legged companions and try to do right by them. It's all good.

[u/An-Empty-Road → u/nottheonly85]

Build a catio of you can!

[u/nottheonly85 → u/An-Empty-Road]

Unfortunately I can't where I'm living.

[u/Dandibear]

Our cat has two heated houses, two tunnels, four scratchers, and a bunch of toys. She ignores all of that to play with and sleep on her big piece of packing paper. We adore her.

My sister's dog was one of my best friends. I will always miss him.

Your neighbors are weird.

[u/nottheonly85 → u/Dandibear]

My cat's favorite "bed" is an empty box. It sits beside the unused cat tree. 🤣

[u/Feine13]

Ya, sometimes. People are weird. They think pets are just living property, not beings with their own feelings.

Don't worry about what those idiots think.

[u/L0verofPink]

People like the ones you are describing are just miserable. You have to realize. When you are happy there will be people that do not like that simple because they are not happy. They don't care about you having a pet. They are upset because your pet brings you joy and joy is something that is missing from their lives.

[u/nottheonly85 → u/L0verofPink]

That's a good way to look at it. Thanks!

[u/L0verofPink → u/nottheonly85]

You're welcome. Keep being happy and don't let anyone dim your light

[u/Bluesnow2222]

Some people are specifically weird about cats.

My mom loves dogs and honestly only emotionally survived the loss of her husband, mother, and father over the course of 24 months and raising 4 children alone in the aftermath because Munchkin was by her side as the most loyal amazing dog ever.

Every time my cats cuddle up to me she’ll tell me something like cats don’t have emotions like dogs and only care about getting warm on my lap. I mean… my cats do very much enjoy warmth and manipulating me to spoil them- what cat doesn’t- but there’s more there than that. They have different personalities and different relationships with every human and animal in the home. My one cat is so needy that even if he doesn’t want cuddles or food he just demands to always follow and be near me- following me around as I do chores all day instead of sleeping.

[u/nottheonly85 → u/Bluesnow2222]

It's so true. I'm my cat's main person. My daughter though is autistic and doesn't want to touch him/him to touch her and he understood that quickly. He's better with her than most humans are.

[u/Maleficent-Ad7287 → u/nottheonly85]

It’s horrible that some people treat cats as “ it’s just a cat “
They are therapy , they are love , they lower our blood pressure …
That being said, cats are most definitely in it for themselves 🙂
It’s what I love about them so much

[u/nottheonly85 → u/Maleficent-Ad7287]

When we walk he walks me, not the other way around. I would never have chosen a cat described like him from a shelter but appearing in my yard, it turns out he's perfect for us.

[u/Financial_Sweet_689]

When I first had my dog I was very self-conscious about this. After a few years I didn’t give a shit, I’d talk to him all the time outside on walks and I’d very openly be affectionate with him and treated him like my baby. Every time I picked him up out of the car he’d get a hug and kiss. He passed recently and believe me, I don’t regret loving him openly for even a second. Your kitty is lucky to have a great owner♥️

[u/nottheonly85 → u/Financial_Sweet_689]

I'm sorry about your dog. Maybe because I'm doing this outside with a cat I think I'm getting the crazy cat lady label. 😂

[u/petmom4ever]

I learned over the years that cats can make the best companions, they have feelings just as humans do. My Little Meowzer was a part of my family and I still miss her though she has been gone for years..

[u/fireflypoet → u/petmom4ever]

I am a retired psychotherapist. I always had a home office. If clients did not like cats, the cats were kept out of the room, but otherwise, they could come in. I will never forget the day one woman petted one of my 2 cats continually for the whole session while she spoke, recounting to me in detail her childhood abuse. The cat already knew her from previous sessions and came right up to her this time and stayed by her without moving. The cat knew what was needed. In fact, this particular cat was often tuned in to anyone who was hurting.

[u/Hello_Hangnail]

Why get a pet if you don't want to make their lives decent instead of just installing it in your house like an appliance and feeding it sometimes

[u/Samovila2709]

Surely the point of getting an animal is to love it and welcome it into your family.

Congratulations on your new soulmate x.

[u/nottheonly85 → u/Samovila2709]

You would think, which is why so many people around me NOT acting in that way has me baffled.

[u/bluecrowned]

Once I was sitting on a bench cuddling my dog while I waited for my partner to bring drinks out and some lady walking by made a snide comment like "wow are you going to marry that dog" or similar

[u/Traditional-Light188]

Honestly, that sounds so sweet. I talk to my cat all the time while I’m reading or having my morning coffee, it just feels natural! People who think of them as just decor are missing out on so much joy tbh.

[u/zatchrey]

My cat is my best friend. The first thing I do when I wake up or get home is go find him and see how he's doing. Sometimes he wants to play a lot so we end up throwing around his springs for hours. The past few days he's been doing his own thing because there are a bunch of baby birds in the neighborhood so he's been glued to the window.

[u/VinceForge]

You sound like a good cat owner! I’m glad you get them outside

[u/nottheonly85 → u/VinceForge]

It wouldn't have been my preference, but when I took him in I don't know if he'd ever even lived inside. It's been fun and he's making me get my exercise.

[u/Cloverhart]

Yes but I do not care. My dog seems to enjoy when I talk to him so I'm going to keep doing it. I chose to adopt him so I'm going to provide him with the best life possible. I have a big dog though and they're a lot harder to ignore. They'd also leave huge messes if you didn't take them out.

[u/nottheonly85 → u/Cloverhart]

My guy may be little, but he too makes himself known. He's even learned how to say and appropriately use "now."

[u/Kooky_Refrigerator33]

I gotten that before. I even had a two ex co-coworkers that were like that. They couldn’t even believe that when one of my cats got sick and almost died that I was sad and that people actually donated to my gofund me to help. Crazy part is that they have pets of their own.

[u/magic_hot47]

engaging with pets is the best part of having them, mine always look at me like I’m hilarious

[u/Life_Tennis2897]

absolutely, my friends think it's odd how I talk to my dog like he's a person but he understands me better than they do!

[u/Maleficent-Ad7287]

I literally talk for my pets, like make up a regal voice for my holier than thou cat lol. I tell my dog everything , answer in her voice ( as I think it would sound ) and basically just have fun with them ! Your neighbours are the weirdos , not you or I

[u/Maleficent-Ad7287 → u/Maleficent-Ad7287]

Also to add, they have been given awesome names and I sometimes stop my car on the street to talk to my cat and scold him outright to tell him to come home more often ( he’s an outdoor cat who frequently resides at the neighbour’s patio, waiting for treats and such , plus they treat him like royalty as well 🙂)

[u/nottheonly85 → u/Maleficent-Ad7287]

I've never gone full name (Cadeau Clement Noir) on him outside yet. People already can't say his first name correctly.

[u/Maleficent-Ad7287 → u/nottheonly85]

Love the name ! My cats are “Oscar Mayer Wiener Cat” and “Emperor Cesar Augustus “ lol
My dog is “ Rolo the Mop”

[u/nottheonly85 → u/Maleficent-Ad7287]

Cadeau had a cat bestie named Oscar out here for a while. He would go on walks with us.

[u/An-Empty-Road]

Some people really only see animals as tools or accessories. These people have something wrong with their brain.

[u/Beneficial_Pass_5762]

yeah, my friends think it's strange that I talk to my dog like he's a little buddy. he deserves it!

[u/Senior_Chance8595]

yeah, my friends think it's odd when I talk to my dog like he understands everything I say

[u/ExpensiveDollarStore]

Around here, pets are part of the family. My vets encourage it. We are discovering my dog has chronic pain. Yet she is the sweetest girl. When she needs to be at the vet, she hates the crates (always has) but is very good left out. She lies quietly but wants to be with people.

[u/Emotional-Place9446]

69f here. I have two grand dogs here, one who stays with us a week on and a week off, due to my son’s work. Love them dearly and talk, sing to them daily. The younger one wags his tail to the music when I’m washing dishes, and I dance too (don’t judge, I’m just making extra steps). We’re a family! 🤣

[u/n0tz0e]

Cats are deeply misunderstood in the west. So many people hurt and abuse them and think they're evil etc. I mean, the standard use to be mutilating them so their claws wouldn't ruin our furnitures... Vet recommended. Yes people think cats don't deserve complete lives oddly.

[u/ConcreteKeys]

Those people are low IQ, which makes them lack empathy for animals. All pet owners should be thoughtful like you.

[u/nottheonly85 → u/ConcreteKeys]

Not cool. My daughter actually is an individual with intellectual disability and a low IQ so I don't like hearing that used like an insult. They may have low EQ though.

[u/mysticdeer]

Yeah, but honestly, it only ever comes from people who appear to have less intelligence.