I have not had a pet since I was a child because of allergies, but I do have friends, sisters that are part of this "pet phenomenon" I consider these people "pet people"
someone who has never had children cannot understand being a parent. that is precisely why they compare pets to kids. it is their lack of knowledge of the complexities of raising children that allows them to place a human in the same category as an animal.

I bet if I never had kids I would believe that my dog was the most important thing in my life. Imagine what it must be like to never have been married. When you have a faithful pet, who is there for you every day and night when a man or woman is not, or has never been. I imagine that loving caring unconditional love may be cherished so deeply because it is the only living thing NMNK people may have to count on. it is their comfort when for so long they have been let down by the opposite sex.
IMO this may be more about what the women have not recieved in life, maybe from a man, rather than what they are willing to give. they KNOW that their dog will be loyal, there every evening. This screams of insecurities, that mayb e what you are really up against. Will these women ever trust a human like they trust their pets???. just some food for thought

Interesting question, AGG. I'm not sure about the dogs, though I know men who love their dogs, too, but I'm surprised there are so many 42-48 NMNK women out there... I can only think of one woman friend in that category (and she's my age, which is about 10 years older). Do you limit your geographic area? I mean, is this a local phenomenon or are these women from all over the country?

The only guy I ever dated from e-harmony was a NMNK, too. He said he'd always dated much younger women with disastrous results. It made me concerned, too, and then I met Mr. 11 weeks (NK) and that was it for Mr. NMNK.

Shattered, I didn't get any matches from e-harmony for about 3 months. I wrote and told them I was going to cancel and all of a sudden I started getting matches - even though, at the same time I decreased my geographic area from the entire world to a 50 mile radius. Makes you wonder about their matching system. But, I've known several people who met their true love there, so who knows... And, I too, seem to live in one of those areas where a lot of guys show pictures of themselves with their Harleys!

fightingback, the largest group of dog lovers I know are older, retired people, either married or single, either childless or with grown children and even grandchildren. I worked for a veterinarian for years and there was a couple who'd bring their Boston Terrier in every weekend just to show off his latest outfit. I could give lots of other examples, too.

In my humble opinion, that's just not true. I have spoken up for those of us, over 40, divorced pet owners that absolutely DO understand what an awesome responsibility being a parent is......and I have the highest regard and respect for the parents out there......

I DO understand the responsibility of being a parent, and knowing I was in a miserable marriage, AND as I got older I had doubts as to whether I was committed enough or would be able to handle it well enough, chose NOT to have kids.

I also have pets that I care for deeply. Doesn't mean I'm insecure, untrustworthy of men - it just means that I have pets that I care for deeply. No hidden meaning other than that. My pets are not children substitutes in my life.....

My two cents.
Laura

I don't do LDRs, so I am limiting it to a 60 mile radius, which should include some 10 million people <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. There are bound to be some DWK or DNK women in that population, aren't there?? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.


How interesting - same thing happened to me. I was about to cancel, so they gave me a two months free membership and started giving me over 6 matches a day (I used to get about 2 a week before that). Sounds very fishy <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

AGG

Well, I met the dog lady today for coffee and dinner. It was a nice meeting, and there is hope, because her dog is not allowed in the house. So I don't need to worry about sharing the bed with a dog. I told her that in contrast, my kids are allowed in the house, and she did not seem surprised, so she seems to know the difference between kids and dogs - good start.

She did not take my breath away, but we had a good time chatting, and I found a lot in common with her - not as much in the "touchy feely" area where I connected so well with G, but in the more practical day-to-day lifestyle area, where G and I were so out of whack.

This lady is an avid home improver (not many women who own a sliding miter saw and actually use drywall lifts), so we connected well in that regard. She seems to be a lot more "normal" than G - gets up at 7, goes for a run, cooks, follows through on her tasks, etc.

I am not comparing her to G, they are too different. But it is interesting to meet someone with whom I seem to be so well lined up in the Practical Dimension, and whose personality matches mine pretty well. I think we actually might do a house project for our second date, I think it'll be fun.

I might even meet the dog next time; I think it's OK, it's not like meeting kids, right?

AGG

I don't know...if the dog growls, you might be ruled out right away. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Hope? Well great AGG! Sounds like the date went very well.


That's okay. That's how many good relationships start right?
The day-to-day sounds more resonable too. Daily living is where it gets all real anyway and the dealbreakers come into play.

You're living on the edge a little, gonna meet the dog? Protect the long arms you mentioned.

K.

Good point... And what if the dog gets attached to me, I'd hate to break her (the dog's) heart if things don't work out with me and the dog lady. So you think I should hold off on meeting the dog? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

AGG

Wow, AGG... 10 million people within 60 miles... I'm sure there's a lot of just about anything in that large a sample! My sample area is smaller and undoubtedly significantly less diverse.

AFS is right. If the dog growls, you may be toast in this lady's eyes. Just kidding! It sounds like she's got some balance about the dog.

True. And it's not like I am unattracted to her, she's a pretty lady - just not the breathtaking type (not like I am either <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ). But it felt very comfortable chatting, the personalities are well matched, and our hobbies and interests seem to be in alignment as well.

Now, I am going to make wiftty very happy here, because I specifically told her that while I am looking for someone to eventually date exclusively, I have no expectations about anything beyond that. So it certainly relieves the pressure of the "where is this going" concerns that I always seem to get from women after a few dates. So this feels very relaxed at this point - no pressure.


Oh, no worries, I am keeping all appendages safely tucked away, with that fierce dog nearby!

AGG

WOW! take a walk on the wild side! this type of relationship would be more satisfying in the long run than a visually appealling relationship in the long run.

oh, nice touch with the comment about the children allowed inside. . . LOL!

after watching part of the movie, Mr&Mrs smith, starring brad pitt and angela jolie, i understand why Pitt dumped annistat for jolie. . . in that movie, as a professional, she matched him in acting in an action film. . .

that to me can be very seductive, an equal in work terms in the same profession. . . however, i would find that not a good long term relationship for me, due to lack of adventure outside of work, which to me, brings added dimensions to a relationship, . . . retirement or career changes could add stress)

i like this matchup, and i think a home construction second date would be ideal. . . each comfortable in your own environments . . .

wiftty

Yeah, I agree. It's new territory for me, but so far I kinda like it. The new wild AGG, wow <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.



I like it too so far, and I am seriously considering a house project as a second date. Me, her, and power tools, who knows where that could go <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />. Oh, and a dog <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />.

AGG