Born or Made?

**Randi** · 09-28-2010, 10:42 AM

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.

**cassiesmom** · 09-28-2010, 12:58 PM

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** · 09-28-2010, 01:22 PM

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** · 09-28-2010, 01:55 PM

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** · 09-28-2010, 09:23 PM

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** · 09-29-2010, 10:18 AM

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

**Taz_Zoee** · 09-29-2010, 10:44 AM

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.