I will elaborate more in the replies, just be nice.
Tldr… I hate how one of the most common advice you receive as a loner without social life or a partner is to get a dog. I’m taking care of a dog for a while now as a favour, since I’m unemployed and have “nothing to do” (my brother went to his gf beach holiday house for the summer with her, his daughter, my younger siblings and my mom, couldn’t take the dog, it’s old) and I’m miserable, I HATE this. I don’t wanna have to deal with any animal after this.
The only reason I disagree is because ive had both perspectives so I know theres a possibility to change if wanted.
I very much disliked my mothers dog for a long time. Didnt want to take care of it or be around it or anything. Thought she was annoying and clingy.
Nowadays I just see the dog different, despite all of her problems getting worse with old age. I feel compassion for her and it makes me happy to see her having fun when I come to see her now.
Its very easy to let an animal just be an inconvenience or a problem, but I think the key is giving the animal a basic level of respect. You wouldnt treat the dog that way if it were a human in that situation.