#axolotlblr
Can we drop the idea that if a pet isn’t a dog or cat it’s not worthy of love? People who own these pets - fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, birds, small mammals - love their animals just as much as cat and dog owners love theirs. They put just as much attention and love and care into their animals as dog and cat owners put into theirs.
I have cats, but I’ve also had hamsters, fish, invertebrates, insects, frogs, and bunnies. Currently I keep axolotls and a crested gecko in addition to my cats. The amount of people who act like my axolotls and gecko don’t exist, or aren’t “real” pets compared to my cats, is nuts. I’ve had people tell me my pets are gross, ugly, disgusting, slimy. I’ve had them harass me over their food being gross or disgusting or slimy. I’ve had people tell me my pets should just be released into the woods rather than me spending money on their care, or ask me why I bother taking them to the vet, or “joke” about eating them. I’ve had some flat out tell me they shouldn’t be alive or taking up space in the house or life. When they died, I’ve had people ask me why I’m sad or tell me I shouldn’t be.
What the fuck is wrong with you? These are my pets and I love them just as much as my cats. When I worked at a pet store, I heard all the same sentiments expressed by customers. That’s fucking disgusting.
Look, if someone has a pet you don’t vibe with, just don’t fucking interact with that pet. If you’re afraid of dogs and your friend is telling you about something their dog did, do you interrupt and say “Your dog should be killed?” Why do people think this is acceptable behavior if the animal isn’t a dog or cat?
Fucking support people and what they love. My best friend keeps tarantulas, which I am terrified of. The only thing I’ve ever said about it is not to text me pictures of them. I let her gush about them because even though they’re not my cup of tea, she LOVES them. It’s not that fucking hard. If you can’t even do that, NICELY tell the person, “Hey I don’t really like X, can we talk about something else?”
Don’t fucking tell them their pets should die or not be alive and don’t insult the animal just because you don’t like them.
Every pet is a valid pet. Don’t be a dick.
