Think my mum lost a potential buyer for her house because of her cat

natalie_ca

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I've got a friend like that she is terrified of cats

One of my friends is like that too!  I personally don't understand it.  lol

Anyway, so far as the woman is concerned, if she loved the house and refuses to put in a bid because you have cats, well it's her loss. It's not like the cats are being sold with the house!!!

A better offer is around the corner for you.
 

rad65

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I've got a friend like that she is terrified of cats even more so when they start purring I do feel sorry for her though must be hard
I can see that. If you're terrified of cats to begin with, then a purr is going to sound the same as a growl for all intents and purposes.

Has anyone seen the TV show about overcoming phobias? It's called "My Extreme Animal Phobia", and a big biker guy was absolutely terrified of puppies in one episode, and I've seen people with phobias about balloons, shaving cream, oranges, tissue paper, etc. You name it, and I guarantee at least one person in the world is deathly afraid of it.


Man terrified by puppies


Woman terrified of kittens
 
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mani

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I've been scared of plants all my life.  I know what it comes from, I know it's irrational, but you can't stop the pounding in my chest and head or the sweats and panic that comes over me.  I've gotten over it enough that I started gardening.  But I do it on MY terms.  I had trouble last year when I saw how big my summer squash and zucchini got.  DH had to harvest most of them!!
Good on you, though.  I don't have any phobias, but I've met lots of people who have and it's really not easy getting over them.  And plants are a biggy!
 

MoochNNoodles

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Good on you, though.  I don't have any phobias, but I've met lots of people who have and it's really not easy getting over them.  And plants are a biggy!
Thank you!  It is not easy!!  Fortunately my DH is very understanding.  He really didn't want a big part in our garden when we started it (it's only 4x8) but he was a huge help.  When we go on hikes he holds things back off the trail for me.  hehe

I think having my own really helps me understand when someone else has a phobia that makes no sense.  Because I know how real it feel to me!  It's only gotten better when I can deal with it on my terms.  If you push me; I'll only clam up.  I still remember the nightmares I'd have as a kid.  It is a really weird thing to deal with; and that lady probably knows it's irrational at least on some level.  But if it's real to her like mine is to me; it is what it is. 
 
 

tara g

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I have to admit, I lol'd :lol3:

I've had people refuse to come to my house or just simply freak out when they hear I have black cats. Not so much just because of cats but they get all superstitious over them being black :rolleyes: They just don't have to come over then! Nero is a lover of all people! Neko, well, you wont see him anyway!
 
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ruthyb

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I never thought of that, claudia is all black, i wonder if that had anything to do with it?x
 

MoochNNoodles

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It could have everything to do with it.  It's black cats that are all over halloween things and stereotyped.  Like the thing about it being bad luck to let a black cat cross your path. 
 

luvmyparker

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I never thought of the whole "bad luck" thing when I took on two black cats. I had bad luck even BEFORE I got them. 
 

tarasgirl06

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Well, I LOATHE dogs, but I didn't let that stop me from buying a home from people who had them; and I didn't scream, make negative comments, or otherwise display emotionally disturbed behavior.  
 

resqchick

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I can see that. If you're terrified of cats to begin with, then a purr is going to sound the same as a growl for all intents and purposes.

Has anyone seen the TV show about overcoming phobias? It's called "My Extreme Animal Phobia", and a big biker guy was absolutely terrified of puppies in one episode, and I've seen people with phobias about balloons, shaving cream, oranges, tissue paper, etc. You name it, and I guarantee at least one person in the world is deathly afraid of it.


Man terrified by puppies


Woman terrified of kittens
The man made me cry along with him. I know many people would think it's funny, because he's a big tough tattooed guy, but honestly, I felt horrible for him. I don't know his background story, but I will look for the whole episode, just to touch that puppy, he looked like he was going to faint. 

Phobias are so real, so terrifying, and people who don't have them sometimes think it's funny, or something it's easy to get over. I am afraid of heights. Irrationally afraid. I went to the World Trade Center as a child on a class trip, my mother was one of the chaperones. We got up to a floor, with ceiling to floor windows. I crouched on my knees, shaking and crying in the center of the room, as far away from any windows as I could get. My MOTHER, made fun of me. As long as I live, I will never forget that experience. She didn't understand, I guess. But I had to WALK down the stairs, because at that point the elevator scared me too. The stairwells were enclosed and seems safe to me. I was, at the most, 7 or 8 years old. I'm sure it set a precedence for other kids to taunt me and bully me later on as well. To this day, I am terrified by heights. I freeze. I cannot help myself get out of the situation. No fear is funny at all. 
 
 

sugarcatmom

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I knew someone on another forum who had a therapy cat, used specifically to help people overcome their cat phobias. It was fascinating to hear the stories (names had been changed to protect their identities
) and how her cat knew instinctively just how close she could get to people without surpassing their comfort level. She would lie in the same spot for ages, never looking directly at the client. When she seemed to think they were ready (maybe she could sense their stress hormones subsiding, or recognized their relaxed body language?) she would inch just a little closer. Most people were eventually able to pet her.
 
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ruthyb

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My mum received feedback from the lady and the estate agent said the house wasn't decorated how she likes it and it would be too much for them to do as she is due a baby anytime. My mum said more like she didn't want to live in a house that had kittys in previously. Also my mum said to pre warn any future viewers that she has guard cats
 x
 

lorie d.

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I wonder, if her overreaction was because of her pregnancy.

We all know that there are plenty of doctors that believe the toxoplasmosis 'epidemic' is so terrible that they advise their pregnant patients to get rid of their cats
I'm wondering if the woman's pregnancy didn't cause her reaction too.  But that still shouldn't have stopped the couple from making an offer on your parents house.
 
 

mani

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When my place was on the market, many people came to see it... it has to be exactly what they are looking for. 

If your Mum's was exactly what they were looking for I imagine they would find a way around the cat issue.  It isn't as though the cat comes with the house after all.
 
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