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Original poster

Dog in cafe today

36 replies

Wantedtocry · 19/10/2024 20:27

I will start by admitting I don’t like dogs. The smell and the jumping up if badly behaved etc etc. try to avoid them if I can.

I’ve been having a bad time lately and on edge generally for many reasons. Went to a cafe to meet a friend even though wasn’t in the mood for socialising . Turns out it was ’dog Friendly’ 😩 but I was there so thought may as well have one coffee then go.

In comes a family with some kind of puppy poodle mix maybe no idea? Jumping around , a child holding the lead so of course dragging the kid round really and parents finding it funny. Jumping at customers etc I was really irritated tbh. They sat quite far away so I forgot about it. As we were talking an elderly man came in and for a split second I thought it was my dad who passed away recently you know when you get that horrible split second thing and then you just feel sad and want to cry? My friend asked was I ok ? I felt tearful and was trying to hold it back when the annoying dog came bounding over literally up to my face dragging a child again and it just stopped and stared at me I was in a mood and said ‘please can you take your dog away ?’ To the child who to be fair said sorry and pulled the lead but the dog then just put its head on my lap and sat there . The parents came over and said sorry and had to pull the dog away but in the moment I really felt like it was trying to comfort me ? Am I being ridiculous? I came home and cried on and of all afternoon because of a dog? I don’t even like dogs . Can they sense things in people they aren’t even close to ?

OP posts:
lemonlavendar · 19/10/2024 20:30

Yes, the dog felt your sadness.
There's a reason lots of people love dogs and this is one of them.
What a lovely thing to happen.
So sorry about your Dad.
X

Pidgythe2nd · 19/10/2024 20:31

Yes, I believe they can.
I didn’t used to like dogs until I got one (long story as to why I did!). Ours always knows when a snuggle is needed.

NuffSaidSam · 19/10/2024 20:32

That was so not where I thought that story was going!

But yes, I think dogs can sense who needs a cuddle.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dogs
BirthdayRainbow · 19/10/2024 20:33

My dog knows I'm sad before I've registered it myself.

I'm sorry about your dad. We lost my FIL and I thought I saw him last week. It's such a punch when I realised it couldn't be him.

Tulip8 · 19/10/2024 20:34

Dogs are amazing, it's a shame you don't like them. They are incredibly in tune with humans and can be a great source of comfort.

ThreeB · 19/10/2024 20:34

I am so sorry about your Dad. I also believe that dogs can sense emotions in humans and a warm, fluffy body snuggled up next to you can be one of the best comforts when you are low.

doodleschnoodle · 19/10/2024 20:36

Absolutely they can. I imagine dogs are far better than humans than detecting tiny changes in body language and behaviour in people. DDog always comes to lie her head on me when I'm upset about something. There's a reason humans and dogs are so strongly connected throughout history.

2EggsShort · 19/10/2024 20:37

I think so. I am a dog lover and have 3 dogs currently and they all seem to know but are equally jumpy as you describe. I understand a non dog lover would not enjoy this at all.

My old collie cross was very well trained and never put a foot wrong -always walked to heel and was very calm. Not an overly cuddly dog, and was happy with a pat on the head and a good brush.

I will never forget when he was 15 years old and we went to an outing at a picnic. He was on the lead and we were walking along and he suddenly stopped at a man who was sitting on the ground and wedged himself under the man’s arm so that the man’s arm was around him. He just sat there. I was so embarrassed but the man said it was just what he needed and said it was fine. I took it that in that moment, my dog had connected with him. I had a job to get my dog away from him. He just wanted to sit next to this man.

We had him since a pup and he never did anything like it in the 16 years we had him. I really miss that boy!

Original poster
Wantedtocry · 19/10/2024 20:37

BirthdayRainbow · 19/10/2024 20:33

My dog knows I'm sad before I've registered it myself.

I'm sorry about your dad. We lost my FIL and I thought I saw him last week. It's such a punch when I realised it couldn't be him.

it was just awful he just looked like my dad so much and that horrible feeling of one second you think it’s them the next second that crushing realisation it isn’t and that it never could be. I was so irritated as well and then just that little face looking up at me from my lap and how calm when it was the most boisterous dog a few seconds before. I just feel like today was a real low point and I wasn’t expecting that and I keep bursting into tears even now typing about it

OP posts:
AutumnLeaves24 · 19/10/2024 20:42

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad 🤗

My Dad died suddenly & at only 65, I 'saw him' a few times and yes it completely floored me. It's such a split second High/Low.

Dogs are incredibly sensitive & comforting. Even the scary ones.

I'm glad you had such a lovely moment today.

Mehmeh22 · 19/10/2024 20:49

I had a similar experience. I was dog sitting and one particular day I was very sad and she came over and put her head in my lap without me asking her. I felt so connected. And when I was packing up to leave, she sat on my bed and watched. Her owner was really surprised she did that. It was exceptionally comforting at a very low point in my life. Dogs are awesome

doodleschnoodle · 19/10/2024 20:50

Dogs are such good judges of character too.
My dog is the gentlest, loveliest dog, loves people. But one of our neighbours near our old house she would bark at relentlessly whenever she saw him. I was mortified as she never barked at anyone, and he would get really angry about it and shout at her and say she was a dangerous dog and if anything happened to me and DH, she'd have to be put down!

Fast forward a year, he was in court and found guilty of really nasty child abuse charges.

I'm not saying DDog knew that obviously but I think she did sense something about him from the way he carried himself, his body language, and viewed him as some sort of threat. She's never reacted like that to any other person before and since in 10 years.

Daschund · 19/10/2024 20:51

I have two dogs. One is an affectionate, but very bouncy, standard wire-haired Dachshund puppy. The last couple of weeks I've been quite ill (I have a serious life-limiting condition). He was like a different dog, so gentle, burrowing his head info me and hugging me. I've now turned the corner on this episode and he's back to bouncing around. They both definitely know when I'm not great.
Are you softening? The right dog is a wonderful companion.

BirthdayRainbow · 19/10/2024 20:51

2EggsShort · 19/10/2024 20:37

I think so. I am a dog lover and have 3 dogs currently and they all seem to know but are equally jumpy as you describe. I understand a non dog lover would not enjoy this at all.

My old collie cross was very well trained and never put a foot wrong -always walked to heel and was very calm. Not an overly cuddly dog, and was happy with a pat on the head and a good brush.

I will never forget when he was 15 years old and we went to an outing at a picnic. He was on the lead and we were walking along and he suddenly stopped at a man who was sitting on the ground and wedged himself under the man’s arm so that the man’s arm was around him. He just sat there. I was so embarrassed but the man said it was just what he needed and said it was fine. I took it that in that moment, my dog had connected with him. I had a job to get my dog away from him. He just wanted to sit next to this man.

We had him since a pup and he never did anything like it in the 16 years we had him. I really miss that boy!

That reminds me. My dog went over to a young man sat in the field and would not come back when I called her. She normally would. Turned out that it was a year since his girlfriend had died and she had had the same breed of dog as mine. We've never seen this person before or since so how my dog knew...

Nextdoor55 · 19/10/2024 20:56

Sounds like a synchronisation moment. Yes dogs can sense your mood & it sounds like this dog connected with you

Original poster
Wantedtocry · 19/10/2024 20:57

Daschund · 19/10/2024 20:51

I have two dogs. One is an affectionate, but very bouncy, standard wire-haired Dachshund puppy. The last couple of weeks I've been quite ill (I have a serious life-limiting condition). He was like a different dog, so gentle, burrowing his head info me and hugging me. I've now turned the corner on this episode and he's back to bouncing around. They both definitely know when I'm not great.
Are you softening? The right dog is a wonderful companion.

It’s made me think differently I can’t explain it but what Ive been grumpy about before and been very ‘I just don’t like dogs’ has been replaced today with I don’t even know what I just felt seen and comforted ?

OP posts:
Prescottdanni123 · 19/10/2024 21:00

Dogs are incredibly compassionate. It could sense you were upset and was trying to comfort you.

Mrsttcno1 · 19/10/2024 21:04

Absolutely dogs always know I think. Our Labrador is so in sync with our emotions, sickness etc it is just unbelievable.

Arran2024 · 19/10/2024 21:09

Aw absolutely. They are heart based animals. Sounds like this one was particularly tuned in to your sorrow and tried to comfort you. I have two dogs and they definitely pick up on emotions. Hope you feel better

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 19/10/2024 21:13

I'm sorry about your Dad.

As others have said dogs have a unique connection with humans and yes, they can tell when we are sad. I suspect he thought you might like to stroke him or cuddle him to bring you comfort.

My dog is very good at reading people. He plays all these mad games with DH but never with me, he knows I don't like him too boisterous and adjusts his behaviour accordingly. He can also tell when an elderly, frail person or a small child wants to stroke him and he's much stiller as a result.

Snoken · 19/10/2024 21:18

My dog definitely knows when I need a hug and he will come and sit next to me and lean in until I put my arm around him. Dogs get a lot of hate for some reason but there is a reason they are called man's best friend, they deserve the title.

user1471453601 · 19/10/2024 21:24

My adult child and their partner occasionally disagree. None of us ever raise our voices, we just do the three adults disagreeing stuff. We had one dog who.knew immediately if we were disageeing. The dog would go to each of us in turn, laying her head on our laps.

Dogs seem to have lived with humans long enough to be able to pick up on how we feel.

HollyTilly · 19/10/2024 21:25

For years I was terrified of dogs as my uncle had had two German Shepherds which barked and jumped up at me when I was a small child. Your viewpoint was once mine.
When our children were young we bought a Golden Retriever puppy and they grew up together. She was so gentle, loving, devoted, friendly, loyal and a huge hit everyone who met her. We were all completely heartbroken when she died aged 16.
Yes, that dog “read” you perfectly. It knew exactly what you needed at that time. Dogs are finely attuned to us, probably better than humans. Undeniably they are man’s best friend.
You might not think this for all the reasons you state (understandably), but that dog’s calm, calming and comforting act was a positive during the low point you reached today. Try to focus on that to help you through your grief. 🤝

cannynotsay · 19/10/2024 21:27

The dog was trying to comfort you. That's what dogs are like most the time

cunningartificer · 19/10/2024 21:27

That's adorable... and how amazing you were open to that comfort and didn't react with "I hate dogs" which was where I thought you were going, I confess...!