a couple kissing in the background with a dog in the foreground
The author, not pictured, isn't a fan of dogs.
  • I've been on dates with guys who brought their dogs; some keep their dogs around while hooking up.
  • Some of my dates are put-off by my lack of interest in their dogs. 
  • I've accepted that my disinterest in pups is a turn off.

I used to pretend to like people's dogs.

From a young age, I learned it was socially unacceptable not to want to rub their bellies and tell them they're "good boys." Unfortunately, I wasn't talented at feigning interest in humans — nonetheless, four-legged animals.