I am so tired of being the butt of jokes at parties, get togethers, etc. My husband and I have 8 animals - 5 cats, 1 dog, a rabbit, and a turtle. Two of those cats were his prior to our marriage, and we've only added one animal since we've been married (a kitten I hand raised). We keep our house clean, and it doesn't smell. Our animals are fed and get the care they need. When people ask, we don't hide what we have because why would we?
Being a vet, I expect a certain gamut of questions, being a zoo vet I also expect a few 2-3 more specific ones that are invariably asked in these situations. No big deal. We went to my husband's work party this past weekend and there was a good 20-30min spent on how we are hoarders, I bet your house reeks, why not just have kids, 8 animals is insane, etc.
The thing is that if we had 8 kids, no one would ever say their opinions about that to our faces. I think three kids is too many (personal opinion for what I want in my life), but if I said that to his coworker with three kids who is roasting us, I'd be the a**hole. And honestly, as someone with no kids atm and is highly likely t be unable to have a child naturally, yes, these animals are our family.
It was bad enough that his senior boss (so someone 2-3 levels above him) who was at the party felt compelled enough to pull my husband aside at work today and apologize on behalf of the entire group at the party. Which is nice and we appreciate, but we are still left to feel crappy even though we weren't the ones being rude. My mind will never not be boggled over how completely rude some people can be.