Friends Leaving

(The primary topic of this is not a sexual issue, but I will post it here since it is brought up.)

A few days ago I brought up my zoophilic orientation up to my friend, in the form of a vent. I had offhandedly mentioned that I'm starting to feel better about myself despite having these thoughts, and would continue to take care of my animals.

I guess that my friend took this as me saying that I was touching my animals, or maybe it was because I wasn't wallowing in self-hatred? Either way, they called me A "monster" who "deserves to be locked up. I don't know what to do, Ive been friends with this person for 3 years now.. and I would like to salvage our friendship if possible. Any help/suggestions is accepted.

"I would like to give you the benefit of the doubt given the long tenure of our friendship. I hope that on your end you will also value the connection we have built and put effort into salvaging it from wreckage.

My life is troubled the way most other people's lives aren't by my zoophilic orientation which, as you know well, is not something I act on or implement in practice. I hope that upon further reflection you will find it within yourself to acknowledge and appreciate the torment and extra pain I go through that you do not, and that you also will treat your typical sexual orientation as something to be grateful for rather than take it for granted.

I am, emphatically, not a monster and I do not deserve to be locked up as I do not engage in any illegal behavior or cross any lines. If it wasn't abundantly clear to you before, I am making it clear to you now. I do not want an apology from you but I would appreciate respect and care going forward. On my end, I hope I have not given you any reasons to think that I did not have respect for you.

Give it some thought, please, before getting back with me. I hope and trust that we can have many more years of friendship before us if we overcome this issue now".