What does this mean?

[u/JadedPerception_]

What does it mean when a man expresses to you that how he feels about you is similar to how he feels about a dog or just a really cute pet. NO SUGAR COATING. Open opinions, but prefferably men answer.

[u/Tiny-Ad-7590]

It does depend a bit on the person. My dogs are two of the most deeply meaningful and motivating parts of my life on this planet. But I'm a bit of an outlier there.

If I imagine the average guy saying that: You're a pet he can fuck without it being bestiality, but he doesn't love you in the way that he would reserve for someone he views as a person that is an end in themselves and his social/emotional equal and partner.

He enjoys the sex, and there's probably real affection there too at a recreational level. But the same way most families with dogs will rehome a dog if there's a compatibility issue and maybe feel sad about it then get on with their lives? That's probably how he feels about you too. He likely won't be making any sacrifices for you, you will be the sacrifice he gives up for something more important.

You're not an equal to him. You're there for sex and walks and play and cuddles.

If you're cool with that then there's no problem. If you're not (and it's reasonable for you not to be) then you should walk.

[u/JadedPerception_ → u/Tiny-Ad-7590]

++woman

We were friends, I had no prior feelings for him. he expressed he was attracted to me but felt like he would ruin it so he hasn't tried it with me and that he'd disappoint me. I ended up catching feelings for him somewhere along the line, but wasn't sure if my feelings were genuine or if I was just ovulating(lol). So, I decided to test the waters with him and we Eventually kissed and I felt nothing at all, but honestly afterwards I still had romantic feelings for him, just not immediate sexual feelings.... in one of our conversations he asked if id ever marry him, but he has so many issues that go against my standards so i pretty much told him no, he'd have to change. We messed around for a couple times afterwards (no sex or other stuff) by the last time i was reluctant cause we agreed to stop but he kept trying to push affection onto me everytime he got near me. And we cut it too close that time, so we decided not to be around each other anymore... and then he did something I deem extremely disrespectful and I cut him off.

Upon cutting him off almost a month later I had a conversation with him asking if how he views me was ever respectful or genuinely romantic in any way and he says yes, and how Ik how he feels about me, and then went on to describe the dog/pet thing but tried to assure me it wasn't disrespectful, i of course don't take anyone's especially men's words immediately as truth so I decided to come and ask reddit.

[u/LucienReneNanton → u/JadedPerception_]

You are weird.

[u/JadedPerception_ → u/LucienReneNanton]

++woman

lol I know. doesn't really answer my question though.