Does your dog gross people out?

I spotted a reference on another pet blog -- Ohmidog! -- the other day to a post from Jennifer Ginsberg at momlogic titled "Your Dog Grosses Me Out."

It reminds us that not everyone is enamored by the four-footed ones in our midst. Some people find our dogs, well, downright annoying. Her post recounts her attendance at a birthday party of a family friend:

I knew that I would have to deal with Shlomo, their big, stinky dog. Before you burn me at the stake for admitting that dogs gross me out, let me make myself clear. I respect animals. I do not wish them any harm. I have been practically vegan for years because I cannot stand the thought of animals getting tortured.

But if I wanted to cohabit with them, I would live on a big farm out in the country -- not in a single family home in West Los Angeles. And I even hold the highly controversial belief that dogs are not equivalent to human beings and do not deserve the same rights and privileges that people do.

  There is nothing that disgusts me more than walking into someone's house and having Fido run up to me and hump my leg and slobber all over me. And dogs always seem to sense that I am not a "dog person," so they work extra hard to win me over with super-aggressive humping and double-wet and sticky licking.

....Even worse was the other couple who brought their dog Fifi to the party, who wouldn't stop yapping the entire time. The nonstop barking made it nearly impossible to have any adult conversation ... The owners of the yappy dog seemed to think their wretched little beast was cute and went so far as to rationalize her obnoxious behavior by telling the guests, "Forgive her barking -- she's blind. ... "Ohhh..." was the collective murmur heard around the room. Nothing can bring a crowd to near tears faster than talking about your dog's illness or disability.

She goes on. But you get the idea. And some of it, I have to say, is pretty funny.

Now as much as I love dogs, I also will say that I sympathize somewhat. I think she makes some valid points and criticisms. Dog owners should always be sensitive to those who may not love their dogs, especially when they are guests in their home. I agree with her that the value of a dog's life is not equal to a human's, despite the cultural trend that (I think) too often improperly blurs those lines. But I do take issue with her suggestion the dog lovers opt for a relationship with a pet rather than people to meet their "emotional requirements."

It's an unfair stereotype I've heard more and more in recent years and one that doesn't fit 99% of the animal lovers I know. OK, maybe 98%.

But that aside, check out the entire post and tell us what you think. How do you handle your animals when guests are coming over? Should dog owners be doing more to improve relationships with their anti-dog-owning friends and relatives?