Poll: Your feelings on the statement "I like animals more than people"?

So when you hear someone say they like animals more than people, what's your mental reaction to that?

The poll is anonymous and you can vote for more than 1 option

I completely agree with that statement, and say it myself fairly often.

Originally Posted by Kailie

I completely agree with that statement, and say it myself fairly often.

Click to expand...

me too..
Animals have something that people have lost as we've evolved through the years, and as we've become the most intelligent species on the planet. Most people are prone to corruption, hypocrisy, jealousy, hatred, they bully or judge and offend others, and the list goes on and on...
Animals on the other hand are simply oblivious to all of that! So, how can you not love them more than people in general?

"Animals don't cause stress?"

Anyone who believes that hasn't read our "Cat Health" section!

However, at the shelter, we DO say, "The longer you work with animals at the shelter, the less you like people."

Of course, even that's not true, because we have to have people to come in and adopt the animals. Otherwise, they'd all be put to sleep immediately upon arrival.

I say this and completely mean it.
I am on disability for PTSD because of traumatic things that were done to me by PEOPLE. So, for me, this is my honest and true opinion.
If my animals weren't here to show me there is some kindness in this world, I think I would have left it long ago. Actually, I know I would have.
I've always had a hard time forming relationships with people. Given the choice, I think I'd live just fine with my animals and only seeing people when I need to buy groceries and things like that.
People are capable of evil. Animals are not.
Is it healthy? Probably not to some people. But since I have cut myself off from humanity and spend most of my time with animals now I have been a much happier person (excluding my internet time on animal forums )

I definitely prefer my animals to some people, so I can agree with it to a degree. They fill voids in my life that people never could, they're ALAWYS there to greet me when I walk through the door, they nursed me back on my feet after my heart surgery, and they've been a constant source of love and companionship that I will always cherish and appreciate. On that same note though, I adore my family and friends and hope that people don't take the love of their animals to an extreme and shut out their human loved ones because that's just not healthy to do that in my honest opinon. I think good animals and good people can contribute to a person's well-being and a positive outlook on life.

I answered the poll by voting for the "other" option. Let me explain...

I, myself, have many times stated that I like animals more than people. And, in those instances, I have wholeheartedly meant it. Usually, when I have uttered that statement, it has been because I was either hurt by someone I trusted or found an individual or group's behavior repulsive. But, as a general rule, I don't think it is healthy to like animals more than people. Equally as so? Absolutely. But, if I were to believe that I could only like animals and not people, I think I would be setting myself up for a world of pain -- while animals are an integral part of my life, I can't live without people...even though I understand that people will hurt me. It's human nature.

And, because of the pain people inflict, animals are that much more important to me. I can rely on their unconditional love. I can know that they will never take advantage of my heart or emotions. I can trust them and my relationship with them in a way that I cannot with individuals in my life. So, while I can completely understand the statement "I like animals more than people." and even agree with it on the most basic of levels, I also know that I need to not isolate myself from the people around me. It is then that I would allow animals to take away something very important to me -- trust in the world around me. My animals mean the world to me. They are my heart, soul, friends, and family. But, they are such along with the humans in my life. To have it any other way would change things dramatically.

So, the question asked is convoluted and philosophical. And, I'm sure my answer is the same. I like and trust animals more than people because I don't have to question my standing with them. But, I need people in my life and, in some instances, I've found that people are just as likable and trustworthy as animals...

I do say often, I prefer my pets over people. But,... I think what I really mean is that my pets don't ever, ever judge me, I feel so totally comfortable being with them (more than I can say about some people in my life), they totally give their love and trust to me no matter what, they are totally reliable and trustworthy and I know what to expect from them each and everyday, they are very honest. I am lucky to have some people in my life that do fit this bill also. I try to surround myself with these kinds of people. But all in all, I do prefer my animals over people, they just make me so happy

I voted people cause stress, animals don't. I like animals better than the majority of humans!

Originally Posted by wellingtoncats

i voted people cause stress, animals don't. I like animals better than the majority of humans!

Click to expand...

+1

I always have a giggle when I hear someone else admit to this.

I have a sign on my wall which says "The more I meet people, the more I like my cat". My sister gave it to me.

Originally Posted by NorthernGlow

I have a sign on my wall which says "The more I meet people, the more I like my cat". My sister gave it to me.

Click to expand...

This is really funny, because Sunday I was thinking of this quote. I have some dear friends, who sometimes just don't think before they say things. This happened on Sunday. A couple of friends did and said things that left me thinking, "If they had just taken a deep breath, and given some thought to what they were going to say, they probably wouldn't have said it."

It bothered me for awhile, and all I could think was how I just wanted to come home to Larry, and be a recluse with my cat.

I laugh because I understand where they're coming from.

I am that person! I can't help it, that's really how I feel! I never thought I was insulting anyone when I said it, which I have, many times, until now ....... If anything I thought I was the one sounding like a freak

It seems all throughout my life, people make "deals" with me e.g.: I'll do "this" but only if you do "that". or I'll give you "this" but only if you give me "that".

I hate that. It makes me dread "dealing with" people.

Animals don't cut "deals" and cause stress. (Food too --but I don't want to get off-topic)

I am so tired of agreeing to/negotiating/renegotiating "deals" with people. I'm not saying this happens 24/7 but it happens often enough that it feels that way.

I've also said it quite often. I get shocked looks especially from devoted Catholics. They tell me animals have no souls, so for me to care about them is bordering on idolatry which condemns me to eternity in hell.

For example, I always remember the name of the kitty or doggy I meet in the neighborhood before their human companion! Nothing against the human ofcourse