[Permanent Pajamas]

I was emotionally abused as a child and turned to my cat for love and comfort. I bonded deeply with cats. I love them very much.

The world hasn't been kind to me, although everyone in this forum has been wonderful! Because the world has been so hostile I have come to prefer the company of animals to the company of people.

My questions to you are are you the same way, preferring animals to people, and do you know if there is a clinical name for this preference of animals over people?

Thanks to all who visit my thread. Please don't be upset that I feel this way. You've all been very kind to me and I don't feel this way about you.

PP

[pachyderm]

I have a sign that says "The more people I meet, the better I like my cat." So you are not alone! Animals have less ability to hide their feelings than humans do. Humans have greater mental abilities but that can be used in constructive or destructive ways. It comes with the territory.

[Hellion]

I am kind of simular, I think part of it is animals are easier to understand and if your nice to them they don't usually judge you like a lot of people might based on a bunch of superficial stuff. Some people find it a bit odd I suppose because I might spend an hour paying attention to someones cat or dog and spend maybe 10 minutes of it talking to them and maybe 5 talking about the cat or dog.

I am even sad I had to put my cat and my brothers kitten out of my room because I was up late and got up at 6 in the morning and am probably going to sleep more since I am still tired. I don't really have the energy to make sure they don't cause any more damage than the cup they broke earlier.

[Permanent Pajamas]

You're right. Animals don't judge and they love unconditionally, which is why I love them so much.

I will also visit people and end up giving most of my attention to their cats or dogs or birds. Once it was even an iguana, although I prefer mammals.

Thank God for animals. They are lifesavers.

[doyoutrustme]

Animals > People.

[lizardlady]

I'm not sure if I prefer animals to people, but I love my fur babies.
My job entails dealing with people all day. I love that when I come home at night I don't have to deal with other people anymore, but I can cuddle with my fur babies.

I see you are sort of new to PC. Have you checked out the pets forum? You'll find lots of like minded folks there.

[Permanent Pajamas]

Yes. Just have been so busy in the regular forums that I haven't visited it yet!

PP, I respect animals. I feed them and care for 5 cats and a small dog. My worries go to homeless veterens and mentally ill folk who need support. I have confidence that animals can sooth themselves, yet many humans can not and are tormented. I worry about them, more than my pets. I do enjoy hugging my cat. He makes me warm and loved.

[Leed]

I also bond with cats. I've never known why, because they're so independent, but they seem to bond with me too. I've tamed MANY a feral cat, even tho it may have taken up to a year to do it. LOL But they became "my friend" when no one else could even get close to them.

Animals love unconditionally, and that's not so with people. I guess that's why alot of people prefer animals to people. And animals don't gossip. LOL

I think those of us who were abused will turn to animals instead of people -- you get more love that way.

I've always had cats, and I'm sure I always will.

[Permanent Pajamas]

Leed, I understand. My kitties have always been like little dogs. One even played fetch with a paper ball. They slept with me in bed and were awake when I was awake. They greeted me at the door when I came home from work. When I cried they were right there with me.

They give me love like no human ever has. How can I resist that?

[Pikku Myy]

I find so much joy with my little heard of pets!!!! It is fantastic!!!!

I love animals, too and I can understand why some people prefer them to people.

I think that part of the reason is that when you have a pet, not only can they give you unconditional love, but you can also give it to them.

Unlike the people in our lives, we don't have expectations of our pets. It's impossible for an animal to do things for us, so they never let us down. It's not reasonable to think "I do this, this and that for you, so I expect this, this and that from you." As a result, resentment never builds up between us and our pets, as it might with a friend, partner, colleague and/or family member who we have many expectations of.

It's a relationship where you can keep on giving and caring, expecting nothing in return - this is real love and I think that's why it feels so good.

Bluey

[IowaFarmGal]

My animals have always been better friends to me than people and I'm glad to have them in my life.

[asp1079]

Actually, I just read a book last night called something like '100 things about cats', and they say that females especially bond well with cats when they are single even if other people are living at home. For some reason cats are very nurturing and give some individuals who need a more calm and empathetic pet vs. the energy of a dog a sense of being OK. I am a lot like that with my own cat and find comfort in her when other people treat me badly.

All in all, you're not weird or a bad person for liking the empathy and happiness animals provide you. Of course it is important to reach out and bond with other people, but obviously ATM you are having a hard time and need more time to work on this. I don't know a clinical name for this however.

it's fair enough- animals always have time for you, they don't judge, they don't try and shove their way of thinking down your throat, etc etc

animals are great

[danipedrosa]

Originally Posted by Permanent Pajamas

I was emotionally abused as a child and turned to my cat for love and comfort. I bonded deeply with cats. I love them very much.

The world hasn't been kind to me, although everyone in this forum has been wonderful! Because the world has been so hostile I have come to prefer the company of animals to the company of people.

My questions to you are are you the same way, preferring animals to people, and do you know if there is a clinical name for this preference of animals over people?

Thanks to all who visit my thread. Please don't be upset that I feel this way. You've all been very kind to me and I don't feel this way about you.

PP

Animals wont judge you, thats what a lot of us love them.

[James_from_Idaho]

Hello Permanent Pajamas.. I also love animals.. I will tell you a funny story.. I had a mouse in my apartment.. And I hate those things.. I will tell you about it.. I have a phobia of those things.. I hate their beaty little eyes.. I am a grown man and I am afraid of mice.. lol.. Anyway, I trapped the little bugger.. It took me a while.. But even though I hate those things.. I spent some time broken hearted that I killed it.. lol

[optimize990h]

The cockatiel is training me well. He sometimes rewards me by showing me some respect to me- he bows his to me. At least I know he is not angry all the time. His non verbal body language tells me a lot for he has trained me well. Now, I don't have think about what he is communicating, understanding flows like words to me.

When has there been a person I could connect with like that-an understanding without words or thoughts?

[Maven]

Permanent Pajamas, as you can see, you're not alone. I, too, am part of this group who prefers animals to people. That's not to say people aren't valuable to me. I care very much about several people. But animals and I have a connection I haven't found with other people. There's no shame in preferring animals to people. *Hugs!*

[Justme1278]

Your not alone...I feel the same way. Animals show no judgment and provide unlimited affection and love.....I feel more sad when an animal dies in a movie than a person. Lol

[jamina]

Thanks for the update.

I completely agree, I have always liked animals better than people....and as you know by now, you are definitely not alone!

I think I would prefer animals to humans. Humans are very hostile sometimes. they tend to say the wrong things at the wrong time, and they feel no shame cutting you deep inside. Everybody else around you laughs when they see you in pain, but when you do the same to them, they start to demur and go,"You're bad." I'm like,"look who's talking."

I definitely prefer animals to people. I have two cats and when I'm depressed they follow me all over the house and have to be right next to me wherever I'm sitting. I'd rather be around them during those times than the people in my life because they know that just having a being sit with me is the thing that I need, you know? People always want to fix things because that's human nature. My animals just sit and be with me.

[newtus]

ever seen Milo & Otis?. its a movie involving animals. its about a dog and a cat that are born on the same farm in the rural. they grow up together. its about life and love. theres absolutely no humans in the movie. not even in the backgrounds. it came out in 1990.