Born or Made?

[Karen]

Do you think pet lovers are born or made? I am thinking of people I know who grew up without a pet, but always knew they'd get a certain kind - for example, a cat - when they were adults on their own. So do you think that some people are born either dog or cat or lizard or bunny people from the start?

Have you always known you loved the kind of pet you have, or did you learn to love them, or both?

[Karen]

I, of course am a "born loving them all," as anyone who has met me knows! I love kitties even though I am terribly allergic to them, and dream about all sorts of animal friends, including a baby giraffe last night.

[kokopup]

I was brought up with Cats and dogs. I did try to adopt an Alligator once, but when my mother was introduced to it, when she got up to give my baby sister her bottle, I was forced to return it to the adoption agency. My efforts to adopt snakes ended the same way. I did have some short runs with lizards but my older sister usually talked me out of them. She liked to wear them on her blouse. She had a way of hypnotizing them and they would just cling to her all day.

[Freedom]

I think people are born loving animals, or not. I too know folks who never had a pet as and always knew they would have one.

I've met folks who were "dog people," or "cat people." Funny thing, they are always conscious enough o animals to say, "but I would never hurt [insert the other species]" I'm just not excited about them or wouldn't want to own one etc. So they appreciate animals.

I have an aunt (by marriage! not a blood relation) who does not like animals of any kind and can't understand why anyone would have a pet. Needless to say, she is not someone I get along with very well!

Karen, I didn't understand the poll; question is general but the responses seem to be what we are. Maybe I just can't read it right. Sorry.

[Reachoutrescue]

I think people are "born loving all"....maybe it is a genetic thing! I also know several people, young and old, that did not grow up with pets but LOVE animals and now do rescue work. :) I don't think an animal lover can be made or taught. It is in our blood.

[happylabs]

I think I was a born animal lover in general. I had a dog from the time I was born and almost all of my life until the last year when I had Casey put down. I never had a cat until I was in my early 40's. I didn't really "love" cats until I had my own but always liked them.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I think I was born loving cats. When I was probably about 5-6 years old I kept bugging my mom to get a cat. I was able to bring home a kitten for the day to see if we'd all like it. Unfortunately my mom made me return it.:( Later on my mom decided to take in a stray male young adult cat because a neighborhood boy said that he would be put down if he couldn't find him a home. I was 8 or 9 when I finally got a kitten of my own. She was a fluffy orange kitten. I think this is where my love of orangies also started.:)

We had one dog and I loved her very much but I was still more of cat person. We had hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats, gerbils, fish, turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, ducks, and even a squirrel for a little while. I'm very lucky that I was exposed to so many different kinds of animals while I was growing up. My love for cats has always won out though and it still does.:)

[Catherinedana]

My allergies have kept me away from cats all my life so I've never bonded with one, but I do love animals. Dogs are great and BIRDS are WONDERFUL!! I seem to have a special affinity with them.

So here's the kooky part . . . I can "feel" certain animals. It's like they give something off that lets me know what's going on with them. Believe it or not, elephants especially. It's actually very painful because they go so deep, much deeper than humans. I can hardly stand it. . .being around elephants always brings me to tears. And if it they are in shows or unhappy or bored I have to leave because it nearly makes me sick. :(

[Randi]

I tend to believe that everyone are born to like animals, but the influence from your surroundings probably has a huge effect also, especially as a child. Then, children can be so cruel to animals. I remember as a child I had a lot of fun tramping on ants in the street. These days I might kill a fly if it keeps buzzing around, and cockroaches I will kill, but I will take a spider outside.

I also think that people who grow up with animals around them and go to the Zoo a lot will understand them more and therefore be empathic towards them.

When I was little, I always wanted a cat, but my mother wouldn't let me, for various reasons. I saw cats every summer when i visited my grandmother in the country side, and I had a dinner plate with a cat on.

When it comes to liking a particular animal more than others, I don't really know where that influence came from or whether you have it in your genes.

I wonder if there has been done any scientific researh on this. :D

[cassiesmom]

I have been a cat person for as long as I can remember because my sister has had a cat for almost all her married life. Pet Talk has taught me so much about dogs that I hope to have one some day! Animal cruelty and homelessness (and puppy mills and too many pets in shelters) make me sad.

I don't like opossums because they dig in the trash and make a big mess.

[Karen]

What made me really think of the question was thinking about a few people I have known, none of them Pet Talkers, just so ya know. One, Julie, had never been permitted a pet as a child, but had always been drawn to cats. She was sure as soon as life circumstances permitted it, she would own a cat. We worked in an office with a dog, and she was perfectly cordial to the dog, but didn't really like it.

Another friend, Bonnie, grew up with a cat, always a cat in the family. When we became friends, she learned to love dogs, through our Saint Bernard, Freckles, and then our Great Dane mix Gracie. Before them, her only experience with dogs was a little terrier neighbor, who tended to bite whenever he could catch someone. She now owns both dog and cat.

And yet I know some people, like my acquaintance Will, who does not own a pet, does not really understand why anyone would, and just doesn't "get" the appeal.

[lvpets2002]

:) I voted Born to Love Cats.. Dont get me wrong I do love all animals.. But I am very much a loving cat person..

[Alysser]

I voted for 'born loving them all' because I think that's what happened to me. My baby book has pictures of me laughing at dogs and cats from 3 months +.

[Catherinedana]

But Karen, you forgot the option "Born a Crazy Bird Lady"

:D

[Taz_Zoee]

I've always had a pet around. Living in the country we had dogs, cats, rabbits, cows, horses, chickens, roosters, turkeys and for a short time goats.
At first I was more drawn to cats. My sister was the dog person. While I liked dogs I never really bonded with any we had. Until I got Zoee. She is MY first dog.

But I have a friend that saw her mom get attacked by a dog when she was 11, so she has a fear of ALL animals. A co-worker brought her cockatiel to work one day because it was sick and my friend wouldn't go near it. I've tried to talk her into doing something to get over this fear. She now has a two year old daughter and her husband would really like to get a dog for her to grow up with. So far that hasn't happened. :( I wish I could just flip a switch and she wouldn't be afraid anymore. It's just sad for her daughter.

[Karen]

But Karen, you forgot the option "Born a Crazy Bird Lady"

:D

There is a "born a bird person" option ... thought that covered it!

[Catherinedana]

Guess that will have to do!

[Scooter's Mom]

My mom was a dog person - she loved all animals but seems like she loved dogs the most and she never went without one in her life. She always said she really didn't like cats at all (until her last kitty, Tipper).

When my mom was pregnant with me, she was bitten (attacked) by a Siamese cat. They never found it, so just had to pray that it wasn't sick.

I have always loved kitties. I was born that way. I tell people it's like spiderman - only I have a love of cats from mom being bit while I was a part of her! LOL

I do love all animals - but kitties just take the cake!

[Casper]

I would have to say I was taught to love animals.

When I was little, I was terrified of dogs. Any size; it didn't matter. Over the years my dad would tell me stories of the dogs he grew up with, and the thought of having a dog grew on me. By the time I was 9 I was begging and pleading for a dog for Christmas. Thats when Frisk came along, and he changed everything. :)

My love of cats didn't come on its own. Not long after I got Frisk, my parents let my sister get a cat -- Melani. She's one of those cats that love one person (my sister), and barely tolerates everyone else. Nevertheless, she weaseled her way into my heart... and to this day, I still don't know how! A couple of years passed before a tiny little kitten followed my sisters' friends to the house and darted in the front door, straight to the cat food, and began chowing down like he lived here. I bet you can guess where this is going! That would be Khaith, my first cat.


I am happy to say that I now love all animals, and I find it so hard to fathom how I used to be!

[Cataholic]

I love all animals, but I am beyond crazy for cats. I can't get enough of them. :)

I have a sister-in-law that was what I can only describe as animal averse. She shyed away, shoo'd away, sat away from my cats, my father's dogs...just obviously a disliker of animals.

Then, my brother rescued two kittens. Chocolate and Milkshake. They were ONLY allowed on the screened in porch. HE took care of them, she wanted no part. This was a about 15 months ago. They now have FOUR indoor cats. They have furniture for cats, pet sitters with explicit directions, calls to me with cat questions, just total cat immersion. It is quite bizarre. When she comes over, all my cats are attended to and she routinely tries to steal my love bug, Cali.

The weirdest, bizarre thing I have witnessed as it comes to animals. It also proves my theory the only person that doesn't love a cat doesn't know a cat. LOL.

[MonicanHonda]

I was only allowed small animals (hamsters/fish/anole) as a child but ALWAYS wanted a dog. Even as a tiny baby, my first phrase was "bye bye doggy". My parents tolerate animals but don't like them. Lol They wonder how I became such an animal lover.

[wolf_Q]

I was defintely born an animal lover. From the time I could hold a crayon I was drawing dogs, cats, and lots of other animals. You could ask any of my teachers from kindergarten on and they'd say I was an animal nut. I drew animals on all my homework and I remember making little dogs and cats out of mud and giving it to a teacher ha ha.

I've been crazy about wolves as long as I can remember and always dreamed of having my "wolf-dog" which turned out to be huskies. I was sick a lot as a child so I couldn't really play that much with other kids so my mom got me a dog when I was two - Smokey the poodle. He turned out to be her shadow, not really "my" dog but I still loved him.

We were never allowed any pets besides dogs and I had a few fish so I don't know too much about small animals/birds. Honestly I have no desire to ever have any of them as pets (no offense to anyone) they are just not for me. I've pet-sat some birds and guinea pigs before and my sister had a hamster so I have a little experience with them. I've always thought lizards were neat but I'm not sure I'd get them. I don't dislike pets besides dogs/cats I'd just much rather have dogs or maybe cats. I do really like cats too, they are a lot of fun, but considering I'll probably always have huskies I'm not sure I'll ever have a cat. I kind of have a paranoia of them peeing in the house all the time because it seems I read/hear about that happening a lot too, more than dogs it seems, but I don't know for sure. I think it would be cool to have a horse or a goat, but I don't know anything about them, maybe down the road if I had a lot of land. Right now I don't want any more pets, period, four dogs is more than enough. ;) All in all, I'm definitely a dog person.

[MonicanHonda]

Wolves have ALWAYS been my absolute favorite animal (besides my dogs :)) My absolute dream job was to be a wolf biologist <3 Such gorgeous amazing creatures.

[Marigold2]

Growing up on a farm I have had cows, horses, pigs, ducks, geese, rabbits, dogs, cats. Now we have hamsters and birds, fish, hermit crabs, gecko, rabbits and cats.
I love them all. Each one is special.
My heart has always been pulled to the huge cats, tigers and lions, snow leopards. How I wish I would have dedicated my life to them.

[carole]

I was raised on a farm so i guess i was taught how to love animals by my parents, i don't think i was necessarily born to love animals, i think my upbringing had a lot to do with it, i love all animals, but i must admit i am mostly a cat person, always liked cats and had them all my life until i became allergic and then did not have one for many years, until along came our beloved Ash, however i have to say i am now a definite cat person 100 per cent, infact i am totally smitten by them.:):D i can relate really well to what Cataholic has said in her post, i could have written that myself lol.

[Roxyluvsme13]

I said born loving them all.

I wanted a dog from the time that I knew dogs existed. And then as I've encountered other animals, I've definitely loved them too.

[mrspunkysmom]

I was born cat person but I think that love and respect of creatures is also taught. I respect all life, but I understand cats.

[Catlady711]

I would have voted 'born loving them all' except that I'm not a fan of lizards at all, not overly fond of monkeys either, and can't get quite as attatched to most fish or birds as I can other critters.

I love pretty much most things with fur/hair, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, degus, big hairy spiders (as long as they aren't crawling on me), boa constrictors, porcupines, turtles, as well as the typical exotic cuties (koala, panda, penguins, cougar, bears, etc).

[luvofallhorses]

I was born an animal lover. :)

[Vette]

For as long as i can remember ive always been more of a dog person

[kokopup]

I think most people and domestic animals are born to love all animals and then their environment will foster or blunt that love. I have seen in both people and animals, especially cats where they are afraid of every thing and every body. I have seen one cat out of a litter that from day one will hide and not socialize with anyone. When they are born this way no amount of socializing will change that. I have seen the same traits in humans. My niece from day one was afraid of every thing and everybody. She is 23 now and is still afraid of all animals and shys away from people. Envirnoment is a big influence but some times there is an innate fear built in that can't be changed.

[Twisterdog]

I believe people are born with the propensity to love animals, or not. I don't think it really matters if you have pets or not growing up.

I loved all animals, especially dogs, from the time I was a toddler. We had one dog when I was a child, but that's all. My mom said when I was a little girl, we would go to her friends houses to visit new moms and babies when they were born. She expected me to be ga-ga over the new baby, like she was. Apparently, I could have cared less and didn't even want to look at the baby. But, I would always ask the mom, "Do you have any pets? Do you have a dog? Can I pet her?"

As soon as I grew up and moved out, I got every species of animals sold in the pet trade, at one time or another. Now, I only have dogs again, but I have eight of them! I also know people who grew up in a house full of all kinds of animals, and as adults said, "Yuck. No way I'm having all those animals in my house like my parents did!"

[Vette]

I think most people and domestic animals are born to love all animals and then their environment will foster or blunt that love. I have seen in both people and animals, especially cats where they are afraid of every thing and every body. I have seen one cat out of a litter that from day one will hide and not socialize with anyone. When they are born this way no amount of socializing will change that. I have seen the same traits in humans. My niece from day one was afraid of every thing and everybody. She is 23 now and is still afraid of all animals and shys away from people. Envirnoment is a big influence but some times there is an innate fear built in that can't be changed.

I think you hit base on both. either it being there since birth,, or environment being key factor/s. whether its home environment or not an whether they are human or animal.

[dab_20]

I was always an animal lover since I was a toddler. I LOVED horses as a child, although I never had one until I was 14. However, I am definitely a dog lover now and always have been.

I pretty much love most animals, and always will. I think a true animal lover is born that way, or at least has a special love of them from a very young age.

My boyfriend grew up not liking animals, never wanted them. Since he met me he has totally changed his mind about dogs and just adores mine, especially Sammy (and Sam ADORES him!). He may not be a dog-lover, but he is capable of loving dogs he knows.

[cyber-sibes]

I was born loving them all... and I always knew I would get a cat when I left home--which I did! (my dad hated them, no way was he going to let me have one). I loved my hamsters growing up. My oldest son was born loving them all, too. He was fortunate to have an iguana for several years -- I loved that little iggy too! However when he was about 10, he kept pressing for a pet scorpion, I did draw the line ... I told him "Sorry, but no. You aren't allowed to have pets that can kill you", lol.

[Kalei]

I was definately born to love animals. I don't necessarily like all animals, but I think the word love means that you will always have feelings for something. I don't really like birds, but I would never want to see any bird be hurt or unhappy and if I ever found one that needed help I would be there until the end!

But I was born loving cats, dogs, and bunnies that's for sure! And fish :)

[Bengalz]

I grew up on a farm with a variety of animals - we always had dogs and cats as pets.

When we moved into a city (without our farm pets:() and I began to go to school cats often followed me home:D. My Mom and Dad finally let me have my first kitten when I was 12. Sammy was beautiful and my best friend and my family had him for 22 years!

I think people in general are born without bias one way or another; circumstances and immediate environment shape their choices and preferences. My pets were my first friends - living on a farm with no other children around can be lonely. Our dogs and cats were my playmates and I grew up feeling more comfortable with them than other children. Going to school in the city changed that however, my love for animals never changed. Life without a furry friend is a lonely place.

[Barbara]

While I loved animals I was also scared of some of them when I was a kid- e.g. cats- after I put my hands in what I now can recognize as cat diarrhea in my sand box :eek:
Plus I was scared of many dogs- like the big Rottie our butcher had.
I even was scared stiff of wolves- thanks to Grimm's tales and some dreams I had.
It changed when I grew up. The wife of my dad's cousin was into dog rescue and when I was 18 I stayed in their house with 5 dogs when they went on vacation. I always thought then I would breed dogs.
I do not know exactly when I became a cat person - the first cat was a rescue in a house my first husband and I shared with others when I was 21. I suppose it was Grisette's babies who totally won me over.
If I had a big house that was really in the country side I would still have cats and dogs.
As for other animals like wolves I learned to love them when I knew more about them and today I think they are so beautiful and do not deserve their bad reputation in kids' tales.
I am still a little bit reluctant with insects and spider-likes. I think they are wonderful and very useful- but it would be a bit much to say I love them. I was however never scared of snakes.

[SinbadsMom]

Born loving them all...and I think all or almost all people are born that way (just as almost all baby animals seem to be born loving and open). IMO it's usually something in the environment or how they're raised that changes/limits the natural openness and love (or doesn't offer opportunities, in the case of people who don't have pets when young and aren't around animals very often).

Cindy

[Suki Wingy]

It's actually very difficult for me to tell since I never got a chance not to like animals, there were so many around me from the start! I think it must be a combo of both being born with the love of animals and just growing up surrounded by them.

[IRescue452]

My coworker made me think of this thread today. She's NOT an animal person at all, not even a fish in her house. However, yesterday and today and maybe all weekend she's dogsitting for her sister because her brother-in-law is in the hospital. She desribed the situation to me sounding quite disgusted by the thought of a dog in her house, although she says its a really nice dog. She knows absolutely nothing about animals.

"Last night it was by my side of the bed and it barked like maybe it heard a car and I told her to go lay down. Then it went over by my husband and barked and finally he asked her if she wanted to go outside. She wanted out at midnight! Then she wanted to go out again at 5am! And she stunk when she came in. I thought she smelled bad enough already! She was out there kinda rolling in the snow and I'm like oh no what are you doing. And then she held her bak foot up and started shaking it like she was cold. I called my sister beause I didn't know if she was having some sort of seizure or something was wrong with her leg. She told me it probably had snow stuck to it and I tried wiping her feet with a towel but she's a golden retriever so she wouldn't stay still."

Then we get to the part about the hair (keep in mind a roomba vacuum holds like half a cup of dirt)...
"I guess I'm glad I'm taking care of her now and not in the summer. I'm told they shed MORE then. We emptied the roomba and you should have seen the hair. And she got nose prints on my patio door and she was licking the moisture off the door. That's so weird"

She has a son in 9th grade and a daughter in 3rd. I know her daughter really wants a dog but she said "my son came up to me and said he guesses he really doesn't want a dog anymore because it follows him around all the time and it bothers him. He didn't know it would do that"

I'm not sure what makes an animal person, but she has one daughter that made it through the horrors of living in an animal free house so far and might turn out "normal". Obviously the daughter wasn't taught right.

Keep in mind this is one day of having the dog. She's already talking about how much she's going to have to clean the house once it goes back.