How do I make people stop being afraid?

[Heeltoeclutch]

I'm aware I went off. I did say I ended up venting. I apologize. In don't expect them to share the passion. I just want to know how to get the same respect they expect when they bring animals around that physically affect me, or think it's adorable when a dirty dog jumps on me. I've voiced my issue with this, but I just get "they're icky." I do not force the animal on them. But I am sick of not getting the same respect.

I share your sentiment here. I feel the same regarding when people are presumptious that I love their animals, or anything for that matter - because they do. I also try and keep in mind that I am not perfect and I cannot expect said people to be perfect; in a perfect world we would all understand that we all have tastes and distastes and that we would all respect each others'. That said, going out of your comfort zone can be immensely rewarding, as you have experienced. But a perfect world's inhabitants would understand that too, and maybe the perfect people would stretch their comfort zones to the level that resulted in the greatest fulfillment of their lives.

But, we don't live in a perfect world; as such some people will be more open to stretching that zone and some won't, and it must be mentioned that some people do have concrete irrational fears that they cannot get over, or just don't want to. I have a pretty irrational fear of spiders even though I know and respect that so many people, including those in this forum, love them with a passion. I don't know if I'll ever be comfortable holding a big T(arantula). I've exposed myself to them and still can't really shake it, even though I am an animal lover and think they deserve the same respect I give cats and snakes and other cool things. And I would ask a T enthusiast to respect my irrational fear.

If your family is not willing to even enter the realm of stretching their comfort zones, whether or not they have that irrational fear like I do, I think it should be respected. I am all for educating and stretching to the max, but at the will of the parties in question. If they don't have that irrational fear and are just ignorant, and refuse to give your animals or you the respect you/they deserve, then that is simply unfortunate, and boils down to the "we can't choose our family" clause. But you have family here

Maybe that was helpful in some way.