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AIBU?

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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:
vodkaredbullgirl · 17/09/2023 21:30

Yes tripping over the blighters everywhere 😁

Susuwatariandkodama · 17/09/2023 21:30

@Carsarelife Devon is dog friendly but you are right, we don’t have the same vibe here and there’s a lot more places that don’t allow dogs, whenever we have a weekend away or want a full day out we head over to cornwall as we know our pup can go everywhere with us.

MatchyM · 17/09/2023 21:29

Mojoj · 17/09/2023 21:05

Boring! Dogs are way more interesting than most people.

I am sorry to heat that. Do you not know any decent people? Or do you lack social skills yourself?

I have realised that the dog owners who defend poor ownership and have no argument other than ‘dogs are better than people/kids’, actually have zero social skills.

The pandemic made them unable to communicate with people so they can only cope with the company of canines. I feel sorry for them really.

Inastatus · 17/09/2023 21:28

@Nevermind202020 - my point is the same as yours. There are annoying dogs and there are annoying people. I concede that there has been a problem in recent years with dogs bought in lockdown by people who have no clue how to handle them and that is a shame. My own dog is well trained, well behaved and has good recall.

SusanandMidge · 17/09/2023 21:28

And what's with all the dogs in prams and buggies? Padstow was full of them.

OP posts:
Carsarelife · 17/09/2023 21:28

@SusanandMidge he deserves a little holiday bless him. Plus he hates the kennels.
He has seperation anxiety

Notpooryet · 17/09/2023 21:28

Nevermind202020 · 17/09/2023 20:42

The Some British people are animal lovers. Get over it. I think everyone else should love animals because I do, and also adapt to my likes/needs while I never have to consider theirs.

That's what you really meant, didn't you?

Yup

Susuwatariandkodama · 17/09/2023 21:27

SusanandMidge · 17/09/2023 21:21

Why does the dog need a holiday?

People usually go on holiday with their family unit, that includes the dog(s). 🤷🏻‍♀️

LimeCheesecake · 17/09/2023 21:27

I guess OP- you’ll know for next time to factor in “not dog friendly” in your travel plans. Cornwall is known for being dog friendly, it is unusual for dogs to be allowed on beaches in the summer all day, so Cornwall attracts dog owners and then the restaurants near the dog friendly beaches will be dog friendly to accommodate the majority of customers.

next time, pick a location where dogs aren’t allowed on the beaches and most the cottages for rent don’t allow dogs. You’ll find most of the restaurants aren’t full of dogs then.

MehtotheChristmasrunup · 17/09/2023 21:27

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.

Yeah? But dogs smell of themselves. Not a defensive smell like a skunk or their waste products ( BO or shirt) but their normal animal smell.

If you can’t hack real things whilst living in a world with others there is no hope.

SusanandMidge · 17/09/2023 21:26

Redlarge · 17/09/2023 21:25

Its more they all get to go together rather than the dog go to kennels. Plus they get to swim and that which is nice for them.

But not nice for everyone else.

OP posts:
Alstroemeria123 · 17/09/2023 21:26

When did people stop leaving dogs in kennels / with family at home anyway? My parents always had dogs when I was growing up and we never took them on our (UK) holidays. Days out in the countryside / to the beach, yes, but not to places more suited to people.

Duckskitbank · 17/09/2023 21:26

This sounds amazing. My dream holiday!

Redlarge · 17/09/2023 21:25

SusanandMidge · 17/09/2023 21:21

Why does the dog need a holiday?

Its more they all get to go together rather than the dog go to kennels. Plus they get to swim and that which is nice for them.

Nevermind202020 · 17/09/2023 21:25

Dickheadseverywhere · 17/09/2023 21:18

Didn’t say annoying.

Fair enough, you said repetitive and not annoying, but the point stands really either way. The repetitiveness is partly what makes it annoying (not quite as annoying as me not being able to edit the 'of' I wrote instead of 'off', but just about)!

Dickheadseverywhere · 17/09/2023 21:25

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 17/09/2023 21:21

I don't care.

You are being funny. Don’t listen to them.

TortolaParadise · 17/09/2023 21:24

beeny · 17/09/2023 20:50

I am so sick of dogs jumping at me and owners saying he is being friendly...
Until I get bitten

This!

Susuwatariandkodama · 17/09/2023 21:24

Cornwall is very dog friendly, almost all the shops annd establishments allow dogs in them, including in places like new look etc. It’s why so many dog owners holiday there.

MatchyM · 17/09/2023 21:24

Barleycat · 17/09/2023 20:55

Agree, hate the smell of dogs and the noise they make and do not want them around when I'm eating. If I ruled the world then I would get rid of all but assistance and working dogs, cannot stand them.

I would vote for you.

rinseandrepeat1 · 17/09/2023 21:23

@Dickheadseverywhere Grin

MatchyM · 17/09/2023 21:23

I won’t go to Cornwall again. Mainly because of how unwelcoming they are to all outsiders and tourists. The dog situation mentioned just confirms that my decision is the correct one.

I am hoping that the XL bully developments will lead to a wider discussion about what responsible dog ownership entails. Clue: it’s not letting Fido jump up at others with the trite comment: ‘he’s just being friendly’.

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 17/09/2023 21:22

I love dogs but I have to agree. I went to a designer outlet village place to other week, the sort of place you only go for clothes shopping and every other person had brought their dog. Just why?

Comedycook · 17/09/2023 21:22

So much nicer in other countries when people are actually nice to children, welcome them as members of the community rather than obsessing over some mangy animal which shits on the pavement

SusanandMidge · 17/09/2023 21:21

Carsarelife · 17/09/2023 21:18

I love dogs and this is what made me book a break to Cornwall last year. Great I could take him literally everywhere except Wetherspoons who didn't allow dogs. My dog is quiet, no bother and 13 years old, doesn't bark etc. I was so grateful to the places letting him in. It meant he could have a holiday too. Took him to Devon this year - not quite the same vibe

Why does the dog need a holiday?

OP posts:
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 17/09/2023 21:21

SusanandMidge · 17/09/2023 21:20

But you're not being funny.

I don't care.