Standing outside in the freezing cold every morning with a doggie bag in my hand while awaiting some fresh, warm animal poo didn’t give me a rush of excitement that an owner might feel. Hearing her aggressive howl mid-morning to be taken outside for a walk didn’t exactly motivate me to feel love and affection. Instead of adoration, I felt excessive apathy. Quite frankly, we Gallardos are simply not pet people. Her name was Romy and she quickly became the family chore as opposed to the family friend. My family attempted to adopt a Bernese Mountain Dog when I was eight. My disdain for dogs comes from how I grew up. No, I do not like dogs, and no, I am not a cold-blooded monster. I’m tired of having to apologize for my opinions or mitigate the intensity of my feelings just to appease the puppy-crazed masses. Those that are decidedly disinterested in four legged-friends are stigmatized outsiders. Supposedly, humanity rests in pet adoration.

“Are you even human?” they’ll ponder after watching me remain indifferent in the presence of a palm-sized pooch. “How can that be possible?” friends and strangers alike always ask me. Here’s the thing: I hate dogs.Ĭue the inevitable cries of shock, disgust, and terror. You will not catch me cooing every time a furry four-legged beast comes my way. From the endless Instagram dog accounts to the bulldogs stopping traffic on the streets, they’re everywhere I turn. These furry creatures already get enough attention without an official 365-day period of dedication. 2018 is almost over, and with it will come the end of the year of the dog.

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