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Original poster

Dogs Everywhere

768 replies

SusanandMidge · 17/09/2023 20:36

I don't live in the UK but am just back from a holiday in Cornwall. We were shocked at the amount of dogs allowed everywhere. They were in every restaurant, cafe, pub and hotel. Two or three people with dogs would all go into a small shop, blocking the aisles for everyone else. In Port Isaac on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon the whole harbour and uphill area was disrupted by loud and continuous barking. Dogs were running around off leash on every beach. People were clogging the narrow pavements with two or three dogs on leads, wheeling dogs around in prams and buggies, stopping outside holiday cottages for ages chatting while their dogs barked, yapped and howled and ruined the peace for the people inside.

We were genuinely wondering if the next time we came back there would be dog and owner spaces in supermarket carparks and an expectation that you should stand up on public transport to let people with dogs sit down.

AIBU to think England has gone a bit mad when it comes to dogs?

OP posts:
Womencanlift · 17/09/2023 23:28

XenoBitch · 17/09/2023 23:25

Most people take out more than they pay in.. even people who work full time. But that is a whole different thread.

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Regardless how much they take out they are still going to pay more in than a dog

XenoBitch · 17/09/2023 23:25

VeronicasCloset · 17/09/2023 23:24

Yep.

Those pesky future tax paying adults. Bastards.

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Most people take out more than they pay in.. even people who work full time. But that is a whole different thread.

XenoBitch · 17/09/2023 23:24

VeronicasCloset · 17/09/2023 23:19

Unless it’s a working/guidance dog, the only reason people get a dog is purely selfish and to make themselves feel better.
They’ll argue it isn’t, but it is

Honestly, I swear you are name changing all the time and posting the similar comment across MN on all dogs threads.
If not, and it is indeed multiple people that share your opinion.. I feel sorry for you. My dog saved my life, and I saved hers.

VeronicasCloset · 17/09/2023 23:24

KimberleyClark · 17/09/2023 23:23

Same reason people have children really.

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Yep.

Those pesky future tax paying adults. Bastards.

KimberleyClark · 17/09/2023 23:23

VeronicasCloset · 17/09/2023 23:19

Unless it’s a working/guidance dog, the only reason people get a dog is purely selfish and to make themselves feel better.
They’ll argue it isn’t, but it is

Same reason people have children really.

XenoBitch · 17/09/2023 23:21

Physiologicalmalfunction · 17/09/2023 23:14

No they are not. Most of them end up in animal shelters.

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11 million dogs in the UK. Are you suggesting that there is a similar number that are in shelters? I would hazard a guess that not even 1 million are in shelters right now.

VeronicasCloset · 17/09/2023 23:19

Unless it’s a working/guidance dog, the only reason people get a dog is purely selfish and to make themselves feel better.
They’ll argue it isn’t, but it is

Keepingthingsinteresting · 17/09/2023 23:14

SusanandMidge · 17/09/2023 20:52

Most pubs and restaurants in Cornwall now reek of dogs. It is such a relief when you go in somewhere that dogs are not allowed. The place smells nice and you are not worried that some idiots will plonk themselves on the table right beside you and smile gormlessly while their dog wanders all around you.

I feel this way about people who don’t control their children, but I guess we’re not allowed to say that….

Fine, we get it you don’t like dogs, but less of the hyperbole please, it makes you look a bit pathetic.

Physiologicalmalfunction · 17/09/2023 23:14

thenightsky · 17/09/2023 20:37

The British are animal lovers. Get over it.

No they are not. Most of them end up in animal shelters.

Lahdedahiam · 17/09/2023 23:10

MariePaperRoses · 17/09/2023 23:09

'Dogs everywhere'- just as it should be.

👏

Pollyputhekettleon · 17/09/2023 23:09

Alstroemeria123 · 17/09/2023 23:06

And the Ancient Egyptians had cats, so there’s support there for the pets / declining civilisation theory as well

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Yes I forgot that. I wonder if any historian has studied the replacement of children/grandchildren/family ties in general with pets as a symptom of decline.

MariePaperRoses · 17/09/2023 23:09

'Dogs everywhere'- just as it should be.

Alstroemeria123 · 17/09/2023 23:06

MsRosley · 17/09/2023 23:02

Come to think of it there were a lot of dogs on Roman pots, mosaics, etc. You may be on to something there. Cave canem!

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And the Ancient Egyptians had cats, so there’s support there for the pets / declining civilisation theory as well

Goateen · 17/09/2023 23:06

Yeah, I think so @XenoBitch

Raniqw · 17/09/2023 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MsRosley · 17/09/2023 23:02

Pollyputhekettleon · 17/09/2023 22:56

All declining civilizations stop having children. It'll be hilarious for future historians of the fall of western civilization to try to understand why this one replaced the children with dogs. I wonder if the Romans did something similar with pets at about this stage of the decline. They probably did.

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Come to think of it there were a lot of dogs on Roman pots, mosaics, etc. You may be on to something there. Cave canem!

Okaaaay · 17/09/2023 22:59

Completely agree with you. They are everywhere - even our local clothes shop is dog friendly. I have nothing against dogs but they’re like very small children - terrible at maintaining personal space, grimy and over excitable.

Unfortunately along with the dogs comes the poo. Despite most owners being awesome, the minority that are not just grows as dog ownership grows generally. I’m not a dog owner but have two children and find poop the scourge of our time outdoors. It’s everywhere these days.

Pollyputhekettleon · 17/09/2023 22:57

Alstroemeria123 · 17/09/2023 22:55

No one said anything to the owners I don’t think - they didn’t look particularly approachable tbh.

Not sure about the cafe staff. Tends to be staffed mainly by young people (I think sixth form / college students with a weekend job) on a Saturday morning, so don’t know if they could / would feel comfortable challenging the owners either.

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Yes I suppose it wouldn't be fair to ask staff like that to take on the owners when other customers couldn't bring themselves to do it.

Pollyputhekettleon · 17/09/2023 22:56

MsRosley · 17/09/2023 22:50

Many Brits prefer dogs to children. Even my children prefer dogs.

All declining civilizations stop having children. It'll be hilarious for future historians of the fall of western civilization to try to understand why this one replaced the children with dogs. I wonder if the Romans did something similar with pets at about this stage of the decline. They probably did.

Alstroemeria123 · 17/09/2023 22:55

Pollyputhekettleon · 17/09/2023 22:45

Did anyone say anything to the owners? Or to the cafe staff? I think people are afraid of challenging rude dog owners, presumably because they tend to react very defensively about their babies.

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No one said anything to the owners I don’t think - they didn’t look particularly approachable tbh.

Not sure about the cafe staff. Tends to be staffed mainly by young people (I think sixth form / college students with a weekend job) on a Saturday morning, so don’t know if they could / would feel comfortable challenging the owners either.

MsRosley · 17/09/2023 22:50

Many Brits prefer dogs to children. Even my children prefer dogs.

KimberleyClark · 17/09/2023 22:50

Redlarge · 17/09/2023 21:20

Awwww this is cute x

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I know of two country house hotels where separate dining rooms are provided for dog owners and their dogs. One will also provide a free breakfast sausage on request for the dog.

Nevermind202020 · 17/09/2023 22:50

vodkaredbullgirl · 17/09/2023 22:46

I would prefer staying at home with my dogs, than take them places where there are loads of people.

When we had dogs (one at a time) we made sure to spend time with the dog both and home and outside the home - playing indoors, in the garden, long walks (on an more extendable lead if in the woods etc but shorter lead in busier areas en route). They were trained not to toilet just anywhere. When we had to go out and do things like shopping and so on, sometimes another family member would be at home or otherwise they slept happily tired from earlier activity. I honestly think people trying to include dogs in everything does not make a happier dog at all, dogs who know their routine and don't go everywhere with you are just as happy (well ours were).

XenoBitch · 17/09/2023 22:49

Goateen · 17/09/2023 22:46

Animal lovers don't own pets

Even when there are thousands up for adoption? 🤨

Horses in fields? Dogs that are doted on? Cats that can roam freely?

Well ok

Don't bite. I think PP is one of those militant vegan types. You wont win.

HelpMeGetThrough · 17/09/2023 22:47

I don't live in the UK but am just back from a holiday in Cornwall. We were shocked at the amount of dogs allowed everywhere.

Dogs are in charge down here now, yep, they are bloody everywhere!!