@Uair@actuallyautistic Many humans expect dogs to be wary of me because I'm "weird," but I don't think dogs view me differently than other humans. I wonder if there's any statistics on dogs and autistic people.
@Uair@actuallyautistic I haven't had a member of another species really dislike me except twice, a neighbors small mutt who was terrifying, and an orange tabby at a camp I really wanted to be friends with who taught me, in no uncertain terms, how cats operate.
The ants in my house and I are enemies. Trespassing is a captal offense. I will also kill-on-sight centepedes (d* video games corrupting my mind....)
@Uair@actuallyautistic
Love love love most animals…
I once had a barking growling guard dog break its tether and tackle me, it was about 125 lb Rottweiler, my only causality was whatever gooping amount of slobber my face ingested while sugar proceeded to try lick my face off seemingly.
My friend said sugar has never done that with anyone. I think they felt a little betrayed or something.
humans are ok animals, …I prefer some to others.
@actuallyautistic@EVDHmn@Uair I have had the same experience. Animals trust me. They have from my babyhood. I had a kitten as a 15 month old and my mother said she never had to correct me in my handling of my kitten. I attract animals even horses which I admit I’m scared of.
@Uair@CarolynStirling@actuallyautistic@EVDHmn same, and I have no familiarity - but I rode one once, a trail riding tourist deal, and I loved it, felt so natural, a rare thing I knew how to do. Something bugged my horse and it bolted, and I just stood up a bit and stayed behind its head (we were in the woods) as it galloped and talked to it, like I knew what I was doing or something. Loved it.
@Uair@actuallyautistic Always adored animals & connect really easily. The cat I always post is my neighbour's cat but it calls for me each day to spend every available hour with me. Other cats have done the same. Dogs too. All creatures, even, reluctantly wasps.
There's no facade with animals, besides .
"Animals are my friends...and I don't eat my friends."
George Bernard Shaw
"The thing is, when I tell people that I don’t eat meat, I’m saying it to be polite. I use that form of words because I don’t want to offend people. So, from now on I’m going to be more honest. I’m just going to tell people that I don’t eat animals.
"I was nine when I decided to stop eating animals. My twin sister and I were the only black children in school. I experienced racism in and out of the classroom, so in the playground I would often find myself sitting in a corner talking to the local cats. When the cats were away, I’d talk to the birds and the bees. Amazingly, I never met a racist animal. Some were nervous when they first approached me, some would make a few visits before they got close, but it never took long for us to make a connection. Then we would just hang out together."' - Benjamin Zephaniah
@Uair@actuallyautistic I'm very comfortable with animals. I never know how people will respond to me, but I'm pretty sure animals will accept me. I've always lived with dogs, but I seem to be a cat magnet. It's like they recognize that I see them as legitimate living creatures rather than things. Even wild animals seem to tolerate me when I encounter them. I'm also incredibly sensitive to animals suffering.
@Uair@actuallyautistic
I'm really good with animals and most animals take to me. Except horses, they really hate me.
Most of us far prefer animals to people, because they are what they are. I suspect the reverse may be true too.
@pathfinder@Uair@actuallyautistic "Because they are what they are". Great explanation, Kevin. Isn't that the problem with people? So many times it's impossible to tell what they are!
@lmgenealogy@Uair@actuallyautistic
Indeed. Not only who they are, but also who they are expecting us to be. That constant frustration and drain of trying to read them and also whether we are responding correctly. Whereas animals neither demand this, not expect it. They accept is for who we are and we do them the courtesy of returning that favour.
@Uair@pathfinder@actuallyautistic With a relatively tiny brain. We can work together, though, and all get smarter. We just have to be nicer to each other, and to other folks, to get that going.
@Uair@actuallyautistic
I have, or had that power, I used to be able to make friends with skittish dogs. Get down on the floor with 'em like in Lethal Weapon, kinda deal, I think that shows 'em trust.
.
But I've seen the other side, that power disappeared completely during the depths of my burnout and animals knew I was wrong with myself or something and didn't like me anymore.