It's a bloody dog!

It’s not aimed at you or any individuals specifically. It’s a societal issue. As I’ve said on here before I think it’s a sign of how broken and sick our human society has become that we try to impose human frameworks on animals or seek this level of intimacy from them. Whether you accept this or not animals aren’t conscious in the way we are and have no ability to understand or reciprocate these sorts of feelings or behaviours. I’m sorry this upsets you.

I’d say it’s a little bit odd. I don’t mind the phrases and language etc but getting a present seems a bit silly. I remember an ex SIL once got pawsecco for my parents’ dog, which was a nice gesture.

Some women can’t have children, so a dog is often a substitute. I think when you have a good bond with them and don’t have human children, this comes out naturally.

Just this very evening, on a local FB group, there is a post from a woman whose cat has been run over and killed. She goes on about how the cats were like her children to her - fair enough - then goes on a rant about how the driver is a murderer etc. then she has gone and stood in the middle of the local main A road near a bridge with a sign saying all drivers are evil cunts. Police had to talk her down and hopefully she will get the right help.

Dogs are like kids in many ways. They hate being left out. If the biscuits are brought out in my house, the dog starts looking for a treat he has saved and hidden away for this purpose - he can’t stand not to have something when everyone else does. Now my kids are older, the dog is the most excited person in the family to open his Christmas presents. He loves getting a present. I couldn’t leave him out.

When I was a kid, we had a little poodle and one Christmas no one got him a present. I’ll never forget his little face as he realised he’d been left out. He was devastated. Luckily, my nan arrived with a pile of presents and a big stocking for our lovely little dog, who was just the sweetest, most sensitive soul.

The point is, dogs might just be dogs, but they do have feelings. They’re not like cats in that respect. And what’s the big deal really if you have to buy a little ball or a packet of chews or something just to keep the peace? At least your present will be gratefully received - which isn’t something you can guarantee if the recipient is human!

Oh its definitely cringe, especially when starts with the baby talk. I have a relative who does that and in a ridiculous high pitched voice too. "Mummy wummy lovesy her little poopiepoo". I find it really irritating to have to listen to a stream of that with a polite smile on my face.
I find the people who do this tend to have badly trained dogs too. No matter how bad the behaviour, it's just being 'cute' or friendly.
They're welcome to get as ridiculous with their dogs as they like but it's bad manners to expect other people to have to listen to it and deal with little poopie-poo and his complete inability not to jump up on everyone and everything.

It's certainly impossible, however, for people who don't want/can't have children, then a pet might fill that space. I'm not saying dogs and cats are our children, but we look after them and we protect them just like a parent would with their child.

It affects you in scenarios as described by the OP when people take it too far and fall out with friends/relatives because they havent bought their pet, sorry substitute child, a Xmas gift.

We had a very much loved dogling. I buy Christmas gifts (name stamped biscuits) for 3 others plus birthday for one. My choice, would the owners be upset if I didn't? No. It's a nice thing to do if these pets are part of your life, no more.

How does affect you?
I see my dog as family. That has no affect on you.. yet you insisting she not family to me... has an affect on me. Why do it? What are you achieving?

I'd have thought it impossible to have parents younger than you?

My lot dogs abd cats got left over turkey which they loved went of to nap by themselves but I’ve used the dog as an excuse when I’ve had enough to sorry.

It’s just a fact. They’re not even the same species.

I have two pets... one literally came out of the other.

Thus the older one if factually the younger ones mam. Sometime they fight and its like 'oy, don't bite your mam'. It would be really weird if I pretended to be the mam instead of them.

I don't really see why its less weird if you can't see the animals birth mother, it still has one.

If someone who doesn't have parents pretended their pet was their mam/dad, called them mummy/daddy, said they couldn't come out because Fido grounded them etc... all said with a serious nature, expected everyone else to acknowledge their dog as their mam & dad then argued you can't tell me my dog is not my mother as much as your mother that birthed you etc... then you would think it was MH issues and genuinely worry for them so why is it different this way round.

Well my two love to rip the paper off a present. And I love to see them having fun.
Some of my family buy them gifts - as I am doing for their dc and their pets. But it is never expected.
They are never ‘furbabies’ ( yeuch) but they are family. And really, it’s not anyone’s business how I feel about them.

There was a thread on here a while back about that! Some people saying you should refer to yourself to your dog as your first name... as it was "disrespecting your dog" if you didn't.

Ahh I don’t mind this. Dogs bring so much joy to people that I couldn’t be wound up. If you buy that dog a present next year they will be elated.

I'm a huge animal lover, we have horses and dogs but I don't refer myself to them as their Mum! I think life is too short really to worry about how others live their lives unless of course it does actually affect you. So it doesn't bother me if others refer to their animals as their "babies" and they're the parents

They are whatever they say they are to THEIR dog

Well they are clearly barking.

Having said that I quite often use our dog as an excuse to make my exit or disappear for a walk, when I'm done with being sociable!

Omg I can't with people like that 😂

My lovely DB is really into animals and one thing he's been doing that kind of irritates me during my pregnancy is comparing lots of it to having a dog. Eg I mentioned my DH couldn't stay overnight at the hospital after birth (over it now but it made me anxious at first) and he said the ward should have a therapy dog to wander round the mums that had just given birth and newborns.

I said I was hoping the baby doesn't come early because he'd have to spend some time in the NICU and DB said it would be like getting a puppy and waiting 8 weeks to take it home. Argh no it wouldn't!

When I was younger, I had a boyfriend whose parents expected you to get off the sofa when the dogs wanted to lie on it. There were other reasons as well but after a Christmas holiday sitting cross-legged on a hard wooden floor while Myrtle and Rollo lounged in comfort, I was quite glad to call it a day.

Yes OP some people are batshit over their pets. (Only 5 pets in our home, dogs and cats). I am Mum to my children but not to my pets. Maybe their dog is a their ‘child’ but it is batshit to expect others to buy the dog presents. However 2 of my hounds take great delight in presents and definitely understand wrapping, presents and toys - Father Christmas usually includes a couple of dog and cat toys in the DDs’ stockings!

My brother and wife have a dog which is their 'baby' they are expecting their first human child.. labelled kids christmas presents as from their (dog) cousin 🙈 (my kids were non-plussed). When brother is asked if he is excited to become a Dad he says he already is one. Just Batshit. Be interesting how they feel when they have an actual baby 🙈