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AIBU?

To think it's animal cruelty!!

19 replies

FuzzyBoots · 19/02/2017 00:30

My family are very animal friendly, all veggie, lots of pets. We have a dog whose chihuahua x pug. He's extremely playful which at convenient times is great but often a pain in the behind - dare leave anything within his reach and it's destroyed. He is naturally a very playful dog.

Recently had to move back in with parents due to relationship breakdown and I'm starting to get why. They don't walk him. My dad used to work from home so although he rarely got walked, he always had someone at home and regular wanders on lunch breaks, but dad doesn't work from home anymore. I get in from work and he's pooed everywhere. My mum starts work at 10.30 so could easily walk him in the morning but won't. I walk him in the afternoon with DD on a long trip to the park when possible, when I get in from work, but soon will be starting a new job where I won't be in until late and will have over an hours commute. I suggested looking at dog walkers and my mum laughed and said my dad will do it. Dad doesn't get in til 7pm and when he can be bothered, walks dog to the end of the road and back again. This is what they genuinely consider a legitimate walk.

It's horrific. The poor dog fights me every day to get out of the house when I need to get out. He hates his life and is so gloomy. My parents are very well off as well and are often going on trips away- so they can definitely afford a dog walker. They just don't want to. I want to cry for the poor guy and am genuinely concerned for his welfare when I'm no longer available to do his afternoon walks to the park.

OP posts:

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ProudBadMum · 19/02/2017 00:32

A chihuahua cross pug sounds fucking ugly! Is it?!

kryptoniteflower · 19/02/2017 00:33

Your parents are arseholes

kormachameleon · 19/02/2017 00:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user128057 · 19/02/2017 00:36

Without being rude surely everybody knows that if you get a dog it'll need walking. If your parents aren't being responsible dog owners surely it's better for them and the poor dog to give him up and let him go to a new home.

PickledCauliflower · 19/02/2017 00:43

Daily exercise is a basic essential when keeping a dog. It's neglect if they can't be arsed to walk him. If they can't see this - I would persuade them to have the dog rehomed to a responsible owner.
A local animal charity may be able to help.

OliviaBenson · 19/02/2017 00:44

Yes it is really cruel. Have you asked them why they don't walk him? Miserable for the dog x

PickledCauliflower · 19/02/2017 00:46

Do you think that they actually want this dog?
Sounds like they are not bothered. Do you think you could frighten / guilt trip them into realising this isn't right?

PuddleJumper01 · 19/02/2017 00:47

Obvs not BU.

But why have you posted? Do you want advice and help about what to do about it?

And agree with ProudBadMum

ShoutOutToMyEx · 19/02/2017 01:27

I think he sounds gorgeous. A chug! I have a soft spot for small dogs though.

It does sound awful. You should ask why they don't bother to take him out. I think some people think toy breeds don't need walks etc.

ForeverLivingMyArse · 19/02/2017 01:30

Surely a thing that wee doesn't require much exercise?

ForeverLivingMyArse · 19/02/2017 01:31

Still they should be walking it.

FuzzyBoots · 19/02/2017 01:31

Haha he basically looks like a pug, but his nose isn't as squashed and he's not as chunky! So ugly as pugs are but in a cute way!

I think they do want him and love him, he gets affection and they let him sleep in my bed and my dad is always taking pictures of him and gushing about how gorgeous he is.

I genuinely just don't think they understand what's involved. We have always been a cat family and had lots of cats before who were very independent, then we took in a very old dog who was perfectly happy with a shop walk per day because he was old. He died and we took in the chug. I think as you say shoutout they genuinely don't think they meant to be cruel, they just don't understand that an energetic toy dog is not the same as an old dog!!!

pickledcauliflower your approach is what I'm attempting really. I know they don't want to be cruel, so perhaps scaring them into the fact that it IS animal cruelty and is really fucking cruel on the poor guy will hopefully scare them into sorting it by the time I change my job.

I guess I just wanted opinions that I wasn't being unreasonable in scaring them like that, because hes only little and it is generally circulated that little dogs need less walks!! But i don't think im wrong thinking that's a myth.

OP posts:

FuzzyBoots · 19/02/2017 01:32

Not let him sleep in my bed!! (He used to when I was in a teenager but since moving in with them with my DD, we share a bed so he's got no chance!!) they let him sleep in their bed.

OP posts:

FuzzyBoots · 19/02/2017 01:38

foreverliving you would think, but the boy is full of beans!! We did have a dog trainer in who said chihuahuas and pugs are both very playful dogs, and that chugs can inherit both playful genes and be extremely hyperactive!! He's 6 and we still can't leave shoes on the floor. DDs toys are a nightmare!

OP posts:

Purplepixiedust · 19/02/2017 01:43

Agree he needs more walks but in addition, kongs, toys and other training should help keep him stimulated.

Archduke · 19/02/2017 02:06

Can you get up early and take him for a long walk first thing?

If I was you I'd also employ a dog walker at least 3 x a week. You parents should understand what a dog needs but they clearly don't and it's also not their responsibility is it.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 19/02/2017 02:12

You're telling me that actually PREFER that it shits everywhere, instead of employing someone to walk him? The cost is surely more than worth not having to clean up stinking piles of dog shit and the stains and smells they must leave.

Graphista · 19/02/2017 02:22

My families always had small dogs, they often ime need MORE exercise than large dogs.

He will be miserable and anxious being shut in like that plus it's not healthy. Both those breeds are prone to joint and muscle problems in back legs and hips/knees if overweight/not getting enough exercise.

They need to step up walk him properly themselves, get a walker or rehome him. He's not an ornament he's a living breathing sentient being!

salsmum · 19/02/2017 04:03

I recently heard of a group/charity called something like ' borrow my dog' where people offer to walk your dog it can be seen as abuse but need to ask do they have a big garden where the dog can run and play? Sounds like this dog is only being seen as a lap dog and not an animal who needs exercising and stimulating.

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