Maybe you just know a lot of jerks, Jade. As for the barking, I recommend central air conditioning and double-paned windows. It solved the problem for me.

I have a cat phobia. I find cat owners tend to be wildly unsympathetic to people who don’t want to be around their cats. I was recently at a party where three other guests were highly allergic to cats and had been assured the host’s four cats would be sequestered in another room. They were, sort of, until they weren’t.

I especially don’t appreciate having to keep company with a litter box when I use the bathroom at a cat owner’s house. I like dogs, when their owners are well-behaved, but I’m a little tired of hearing about fur babies, grand dogs, and the rainbow bridge.