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50 Dads Who Said “No Pets” And Ended Up Becoming Total Softies

50 Dads Who Said “No Pets” And Ended Up Becoming Total Softies

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It goes without saying that having a pet is nothing short of transformative. You all of a sudden have a life to care for apart from yours, and it's something you’ll be pretty much obligated to do for the succeeding years. 
It also causes a complete conversion in those who initially didn’t want pets. And as you will see in the following photos, these dads are enjoying the sheer joy that instantly entered their lives the moment they became fur parents. 
We’ve collected these images from the Dads Who Did Not Want Pets subreddit, an online community abundant with good vibes. Enjoy reading!

#1 He Proclaimed That Cats Just “Aren’t As Friendly As Dogs”. Now They Eat Vanilla Ice Cream Together Like Absolute Soulmates

He Proclaimed That Cats Just “Aren’t As Friendly As Dogs”. Now They Eat Vanilla Ice Cream Together Like Absolute Soulmates
101points

#2 Dad: We Are Not Feeding That Feral Cat. Also Dad: I Set Up A Heated Cat House In The Backyard And Put A Camera So We Can Make Sure She’s Home Safe Every Night

Dad: We Are Not Feeding That Feral Cat. Also Dad: I Set Up A Heated Cat House In The Backyard And Put A Camera So We Can Make Sure She’s Home Safe Every Night
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88points

#3 Dad Went From "You're Taking Him With You When You Leave." To "Are You Really Gonna Take Him With You??"

Dad Went From "You're Taking Him With You When You Leave." To "Are You Really Gonna Take Him With You??"
81points

With a growing following of 324,000 members, the Dads Who Did Not Want Pets subreddit has become a haven of feel-good content. The description is straightforward: “A place to share photos of humans with the pets they didn’t originally want.” If you’re in the same boat, you will get a kick out of these. 

#4 Caught Him Hugging The Giant Dog He Didn't Want, He Was Also Singing The Dog His Own Personal Song

Caught Him Hugging The Giant Dog He Didn't Want, He Was Also Singing The Dog His Own Personal Song
78points

#5 Dad Now Asks Me To Bring The Cats (Which He Told Me Not To Adopt) Every Time I Visit

Dad Now Asks Me To Bring The Cats (Which He Told Me Not To Adopt) Every Time I Visit
78points

#6 Hubs Was Never A Cat Person. Now He Tells Me How They Individually Like To Be Pet, And They All Behave And Don’t Fight When Sitting By Daddy. I Don’t Know Who Trained Who

Hubs Was Never A Cat Person. Now He Tells Me How They Individually Like To Be Pet, And They All Behave And Don’t Fight When Sitting By Daddy. I Don’t Know Who Trained Who
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78points

Just by looking at the photos, you will see how happy and seemingly content these dads have been since a beloved pet entered their lives. Having animals around is known to ease loneliness and boost uplifting hormones like oxytocin

According to experts like veterinarian Dr. Kwane Stewart, companion animals can also help ease PTSD symptoms that many homeless people suffer from.

#7 I Got Mad At My Wife For Bringing Home A Kitten. He’s My Son Now

I Got Mad At My Wife For Bringing Home A Kitten. He’s My Son Now
78points

#8 My Dad, Circa 3 Weeks Ago: "We Are Not Using My Bathroom As A Maternity Ward For The Pregnant Stray You Decided To Bring In"

My Dad, Circa 3 Weeks Ago: "We Are Not Using My Bathroom As A Maternity Ward For The Pregnant Stray You Decided To Bring In"
77points

#9 He Said He Didn’t Want Me To Foster Because He Didn’t Want Me To Get Attached. Guess Who Is Ooey Gooey Over Them And Wants To Keep All 3 Now?

He Said He Didn’t Want Me To Foster Because He Didn’t Want Me To Get Attached. Guess Who Is Ooey Gooey Over Them And Wants To Keep All 3 Now?
77points

Developmental scientist Dr. Megan Mueller agrees, stating that pets give a person a sense of purpose. 

“There’s the routine of caring for a pet and the responsibility of caring for another living creature that can really provide this driving force for getting out of bed in the morning,” Dr. Mueller told The Harvard Gazette in 2023.

#10 He Never Wanted A Dog. Four Days After They Met, She Helped Him To Recover From A Stroke

He Never Wanted A Dog. Four Days After They Met, She Helped Him To Recover From A Stroke
77points

#11 Found This Picture On Twitter And Thought It Was Precious (Not Mine!)

Found This Picture On Twitter And Thought It Was Precious (Not Mine!)
75points

#12 I Saw This Online, I Hope It’s Not A Repost

I Saw This Online, I Hope It’s Not A Repost
74points

A dog is referred to as “man’s best friend” for a good reason. According to Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, it’s likely due to their ability to communicate with humans. 

“Dogs, for example, excel at comprehending words and interpreting tone of voice, body language, and gestures, akin to a trusted friend who can gauge one's emotional state,” an excerpt from the article reads.

#13 "I Will Not Be Raising That Dog" ;)

"I Will Not Be Raising That Dog" ;)
74points

#14 “We Are Never Getting A Cat.” -My Husband

“We Are Never Getting A Cat.” -My Husband
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71points

#15 “He’s Only Going To Be In The Way, I’ll Step On Him”

“He’s Only Going To Be In The Way, I’ll Step On Him”
Report
69points

Experts from Psi Chi also noted that a profound emotional connection with pets is similar to human relationships, which, therefore, offers the same psychological benefits. These include decreased feelings of depression along with a boost in self-esteem. 

#16 No Matter How Much I Begged, My Dad Never Let Me Have A Pet When I Was Younger

No Matter How Much I Begged, My Dad Never Let Me Have A Pet When I Was Younger
This is him dragging my cat in a box (which he named the “Kitty Express”) while making train noises, and laughing like a child.
69points

#17 Boyfriend Didn't Want A Kitten. He Relented During Quarantine Because He Was An Essential Worker And I Was Alone By Myself Most Days. Now They're Cuddle Buddies

Boyfriend Didn't Want A Kitten. He Relented During Quarantine Because He Was An Essential Worker And I Was Alone By Myself Most Days. Now They're Cuddle Buddies
69points

#18 Not The Funniest, But Definitely The Sweetest

Not The Funniest, But Definitely The Sweetest
My dad said no dogs ever again after our last one passed several years ago. My mom has always wanted a dachshund, but they both agreed to wait until retirement. But he recently realized that “life is too short not to try to make her smile every day.”
68points

We also had quick chats with a few people who initially didn’t want pets but eventually fell in love with having a furry companion around the house. Even those who work closely with animals, like Danish-certified veterinarian Henning Ingeman, had their apprehensions about having a pet. 

As he told Bored Panda, his profession, which mainly involved dealing with animals, “put up a psychological wall.” 

“I imagined I might mix my professional way of doing things at home and forget about being too close to my pet because my line of work demands being objective when handling it,” he explained.

#19 He Was A Firm Opponent Of The Hairless Cat But Skin To Skin Is The Best Way To Connect

He Was A Firm Opponent Of The Hairless Cat But Skin To Skin Is The Best Way To Connect
68points

#20 My Husband "Doesn't Like Cats" And Refused To Let Me Get A Kitty For The Longest Time

My Husband "Doesn't Like Cats" And Refused To Let Me Get A Kitty For The Longest Time
He now gives the kitten a dab of cream cheese every morning and naps with him on the couch... but maintains that he doesn't like the little dude
68points
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