I don’t like your dog and that doesn’t make me a psychopath

Years ago, when applying for a job, I sat down for an interview with the company CEO. His dog, a mangy, skittish looking mutt slowly trotted over to me and put her head in my lap. I scratched the dog’s ears absentmindedly, trying to remember my train of thought. The CEO just stared at me, smiling. I got this dog from a shelter, after she was found abused and neglected. She normally hides from strangers. I’m sure you know how this ends. I got the job. I can’t prove that the CEO hired me because his dog liked me and that somehow communicated to him that I was a good, trustworthy person, but I secretly think that’s the reason. What the CEO didn’t know: I didn’t like his dog. I don’t like any dogs.

Whenever I say this out loud, people act like I just drop-kicked a puppy for fun. I don’t hate dogs, I don’t want to see animals mistreated, but I still don’t like your dog or anyone else’s. People who don’t like dogs seem to invite suspicion. Go down some internet rabbit holes and you’ll find the following:

Don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like dogs. Why? Because it’s so strange that someone might not be into smelly, hairy, slobbery creatures who jump and bark and scratch their fleas all over you?

I won’t date anyone my dog doesn’t like. Are you serious? Do you think your dog has better judgment than you? If so, you got bigger problems.

People who don’t like dogs are more likely to be psychopaths/serial killers/evil. Nope. There is a…