I've read a few posts that seem to imply that people who don't have an "emotional void" slot for a pet have something wrong with them, or that they're anti-social, but I think that's very inaccurate. My "emotional void" slots are for human beings. I just simply don't have one for a pet, or much of one, and I can see nothing wrong with that. There is nothing in me that needs to be needed by an animal. That's why I like cats; they're self-sufficient but still pleasant. They're intelligent and don't need constant attention and care. You rarely see starving cats on the side of the road. I like knowing I can go away for a few days and my cat will be just fine. They're soft and nice to touch and yet they don't come with a lot of the negatives (in my opinion) that you get with dogs.
The way I see it, dogs are like kids, but cats are like pals. I don't need my cat to be depressed because I die. I don't need him to jump me and lick my face when he welcomes me home or wet himself because he's excited to see me. Now, if my girlfriend did that, my "emotional void" would be filled to the brim. Er, except the wetting herself part. Maybe.
Also, as someone else said, "dog people" can be extremely inconsiderate. I have a good friend that I rarely visit any longer. I just hate going to his house. Watching a game at his place is annoying because you're always stepping over dogs, or pushing one out of your lap, or having one whine at you if you eat anything, or you have to cover your ears when they start barking right beside you. And at least one of them always, always stinks like it rolled in something dead. And why do they come up and just start licking your hand, or shove their head between your legs? It's pretty much divided our "group" between the two dog people and the rest of us who now always go elsewhere to watch any games. If we go anywhere, and he shows up with his dog, there is always a groan from the rest of us, since it means we're going to be half-babysitting.
Dogs (and needy cats) just aren't for me.
