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AIBU?

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Strangers who think we all love their dog

381 replies

MaisieMouse87 · 17/05/2025 14:29

I'm a bit pissed off and need a rant. Sitting on the park with my kids, we had a large bottle of water nearly full, next to us on the grass. The top was off as one of the kids had just had some. The park is a large field and we were not near anyone else. We were minding our business.
These two women walked past with a dog on a lead. I didn't expect them to get as close as they did. They came literally right up to us. The dog (on the lead) came between me and the kids and licked the rim of the water bottle. One of the women did a tinkly laugh and I said " oh no" in an annoyed tone and told one of my kids that the water would have to go in the bin now. They just walked off grinning and I heard them say something like " imagine being like that over a dog."
I did not say anything but got up and threw it in the bin. If they'd said sorry it would have been alright or if the dog was off the lead I would have been annoyed still. But the way they actively led it over to us and allowed it to do that, then laughed about it. Aibu for being annoyed? It's not even really about the water. It's about having personal space invaded needlessly when I'm minding my own business by people who are nosy and need to see what I'm doing. And partly people with dogs who think it's acceptable because the dog likes people making a fuss of it. By the way I actually like dogs and have 2 but I have never allowed them to do this and actively keep them away from people in public.

OP posts:
Dolphin78 · 19/05/2025 17:48

My response to “he’s just being friendly” while the huge dog jumped up knocking over my son and leaving scratch marks down his front. “I’ve got enough fffing friends and put your dog on a lead if you can’t control it!” Meanwhile my Springer who did as she was told looked on with one raised eyebrow.
or the man who put his dog on the bench next to me in a restaurant when I said I don’t want to sit next to your dog he left in a huff! Winner
People are twat badgers…

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 17:36

Verv · 19/05/2025 17:33

So?
I never said I equated children to dogs, but it hasn't stopped you.

I never said people shouldn't control their children but it hasn't stopped you claiming this.

Verv · 19/05/2025 17:33

So?
I never said I equated children to dogs, but it hasn't stopped you.

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 17:32

Verv · 19/05/2025 17:31

I don't.

So why do you believe that people should control their dogs but not their children?

I never said that.

Verv · 19/05/2025 17:31

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 17:28

It troubles me that you equate a human child with a dog.

I don't.

So why do you believe that people should control their dogs but not their children?

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 17:28

Verv · 19/05/2025 17:27

It is troubling to me that you cannot equate adults taking due care and responsibility over their childrens behaviour because they are not "pets".

I believe that an adult should be able to control whatever animal it is they have responsibility for, canine or primate. Troubles me that you dont.

It troubles me that you equate a human child with a dog.

Verv · 19/05/2025 17:27

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 16:19

However, they are not equivalent, and it is troubling that people would rank the development of the next generation, a biological and sociological imperative, with indulging a pet.

It is troubling to me that you cannot equate adults taking due care and responsibility over their childrens behaviour because they are not "pets".

I believe that an adult should be able to control whatever animal it is they have responsibility for, canine or primate. Troubles me that you dont.

Livelovebehappy · 19/05/2025 17:21

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 17:19

It's not "angst", and believe me, those of us who are not dog owners would like to go about our day with no drama. Not bothered by dogs.

Edited

What sort of 'dog drama' do you come across on a daily basis?

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 17:20

MaisieMouse87 · 19/05/2025 17:20

I couldn't think of another way to explain it small enough to fit in the title, sorry about that. I just thought people would get the gist.

Most of us did.

MaisieMouse87 · 19/05/2025 17:20

TheTester2 · 18/05/2025 21:15

Yes they should have reigned the dog in but they didn’t and that was their mistake. But I think the title of your thread is a bit OTT.

I couldn't think of another way to explain it small enough to fit in the title, sorry about that. I just thought people would get the gist.

OP posts:
KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 17:19

Livelovebehappy · 19/05/2025 17:15

I don't hear the same angst outside MN. There may be more dogs, but honestly I have too much going on in my life to notice or give it much head space. Most dog owners, like anyone else, just get on with their day without drama, with or without dog in tow.

It's not "angst", and believe me, those of us who are not dog owners would like to go about our day with no drama. Not bothered by dogs.

Verv · 19/05/2025 17:18

Taxtina · 19/05/2025 16:40

Why would you NEED to take your pet to public spaces? Why on earth should members of the public have to deal with your dog being around them? They didn’t choose to get a dog, you did. If you want a dog, get a garden big enough to entertain your dog in. Dogs in shops are utterly, utterly gross.

There is nowhere whatsoever to go where there are no dogs these days. Nowhere. We used to go feed the ducks with my kids at the university campus where my other half works. Now it’s chocka with dog walkers who drive up, past the sign which asks for dogs to be kept on a lead, and let them off to run around the campus harassing the ducks. A university campus fgs! How thick are these entitled little idiots.

I saw someone walking their dog around a business park the other day. Where is there left for kids to have a kick around without being harassed by people’s dogs?

How do you propose taking an animal to a vet without crossing or entering public space.

Livelovebehappy · 19/05/2025 17:15

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 07:27

Do you honestly think that's the case? It's just a small group of people on MN? You've not noticed that the number of dogs has significantly increased, and they're in most human spaces now?

I don't hear the same angst outside MN. There may be more dogs, but honestly I have too much going on in my life to notice or give it much head space. Most dog owners, like anyone else, just get on with their day without drama, with or without dog in tow.

Taxtina · 19/05/2025 16:40

Verv · 19/05/2025 16:18

You also sometimes need to take pets to public spaces, and if you cant control either your pets or your children, you are the problem.

Why would you NEED to take your pet to public spaces? Why on earth should members of the public have to deal with your dog being around them? They didn’t choose to get a dog, you did. If you want a dog, get a garden big enough to entertain your dog in. Dogs in shops are utterly, utterly gross.

There is nowhere whatsoever to go where there are no dogs these days. Nowhere. We used to go feed the ducks with my kids at the university campus where my other half works. Now it’s chocka with dog walkers who drive up, past the sign which asks for dogs to be kept on a lead, and let them off to run around the campus harassing the ducks. A university campus fgs! How thick are these entitled little idiots.

I saw someone walking their dog around a business park the other day. Where is there left for kids to have a kick around without being harassed by people’s dogs?

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 16:19

Verv · 19/05/2025 16:18

You also sometimes need to take pets to public spaces, and if you cant control either your pets or your children, you are the problem.

However, they are not equivalent, and it is troubling that people would rank the development of the next generation, a biological and sociological imperative, with indulging a pet.

Verv · 19/05/2025 16:18

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 16:11

You sometimes need to take children to public spaces though, as they are humans, not pets.

You also sometimes need to take pets to public spaces, and if you cant control either your pets or your children, you are the problem.

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 16:11

Verv · 19/05/2025 15:58

These are adult problems.
Nothing actually to do with dogs, in the exact same way that feral screeching kids pissing everybody else off is an adult problem. Its an absolute failure to manage/discipline.

If you cant control your dog, keep it out of public space. Ditto children.

You sometimes need to take children to public spaces though, as they are humans, not pets.

BinLordSeverustheMagnificent · 19/05/2025 16:07

Like dogs. Dislike many of the owners.

Verv · 19/05/2025 15:58

These are adult problems.
Nothing actually to do with dogs, in the exact same way that feral screeching kids pissing everybody else off is an adult problem. Its an absolute failure to manage/discipline.

If you cant control your dog, keep it out of public space. Ditto children.

MariLlwyd · 19/05/2025 15:48

It has to be a form of mental illness surely to feel such a need, even 'accidently', to inflict your fur baby on strangers?
Or believe your dog is better than/has more rights than human beings.
Or descend into hysteria when asked to reign in/call off your dog or pick up its shit.
No? Just the post-covid world of the entitled and emotionally stunted dog owner then.

Trishyb10 · 19/05/2025 14:02

Precious you

WellDoneThatSupremeCourt · 19/05/2025 13:23

ChocolateGanache · 19/05/2025 07:43

@KarminaBuranaevery week there’s a child hating or dog hating thread on here.

Two categories of being, that are in need of love, care and nurturing by grown adults.

If we don’t care for them properly, they can both have behavioural issues.

It strikes me, that instead of wishing they didn’t exist, we put more energy into making sure they are loved and nurtured properly by their owners/parents, everyone would be happier. And yet I’m the one lacking empathy… OK

How are 'we' supposed to ensure that other people love and care for their children or dogs? If this desirable state of affairs could be achieved by social pressure, there would not need to be any foster parents, dog wardens or Children's Services departments.

LilacReader · 19/05/2025 13:21

bugalugs45 · 17/05/2025 17:04

Oh I do , I love a snog with my dog 🤣
joking …
But I actually do let him lick me & I’ve yet to die or even get ill from it

Maybe you've been lucky, who knows - but the difference is, it's your choice to let your dog do this. It was OP's choice to sit away from others and not want a dog licking their water bottle.

KarminaBurana · 19/05/2025 13:03

LilacReader · 19/05/2025 13:02

Is this a dog-hating thread? I didn't take it as one - in fact the OP said she had 2 of her own?!

It's just an attempt to shut down discussion.

LilacReader · 19/05/2025 13:02

Tutorpuzzle · 17/05/2025 14:41

Ooh, there hasn’t been a dog-hating thread for at least two and a half hours now…thank god one has appeared!

Is this a dog-hating thread? I didn't take it as one - in fact the OP said she had 2 of her own?!

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