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AIBU?

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Original poster

To feel hurt that my lovely dog licking someone caused such distress.

637 replies

sweetgrape · 21/06/2015 14:12

He's just a big affectionate softy, the only trouble is he thinks everyone loves him. We went for our walk this morning in the park and sat down on a bench for a rest. We'd only been sat down a minute or so and this woman sits down next to me. We were just chatting about the weather when all of a sudden she jumped up shrieking, "ahhh the dog just licked my leg"
Now I know not everyone loves dogs but i thought it was a bit of an over reaction. I did apologise but I felt kind of sorry for my dog, who seemed to have a bit of a hurt look on his face. Wabu to have felt sorry for my dog or should I have felt more sorry for the woman?

OP posts:
OscarWinningActress · 21/06/2015 21:47

I actually think you have to be a bit mental if you don't like dogs. It's like not enjoying sunny days or holidays or smiley babies. MISERABLE.

RachelRagged · 21/06/2015 21:49

Oh ,, Well OP if Barney was so offended then you have made him a pfd (is there such an acronym)? New.

Costacoffeeplease · 21/06/2015 21:49

Oh yes prorsum I'd watch too, it would be a great moneyspinner for itv - why not write in and ask them to put it into production? Make sure you use green ink, they take special notice of those letters

Eigg · 21/06/2015 21:55

How would you like this thread to resolve Sweet?

So far we seem to have established that:

You love your dog very much (admirable)

Lots of people love dogs

Lots of people don't like dogs/are scared of them.

Some dog lovers are happy to be licked.

Some dog lovers are not happy to be licked.

Lots of posters whether dog owners or not think that if you are scared of dogs/allergic to dogs or just don't want licked it is your responsibility to stay away from any dog.

Lots of posters whether dog owners or not think that dogs should trained not to physically interact (lick, paw jump up etc) with strangers and that this is the owners responsibility.

Lots of dog lovers completely do not understand why everyone doesn't love dogs.

Lots of those who dislike/are scared of dogs completely do not understand why dog lovers don't understand their antipathy.

Where do we go from here?

prorsum · 21/06/2015 21:55

Done.

Floisme · 21/06/2015 21:58

Not a dog hater at all but I'm not keen on being licked by an animal that eats shit.

And I'm not sure about this attitude that the woman brought it on herself. That seems a bit arrogant to me. I think the responsiblity should lie with the pet owner, not the other way round.

Luckily I'm pretty sure the all dog owners I know would agree.

Costacoffeeplease · 21/06/2015 22:00

Oh good, can't wait until it's on! Forget strictly and X factor - cut a dog's tongue out will be this winter's top entertainment show, mark my words

Costacoffeeplease · 21/06/2015 22:01

Count me out flo thanks anyway

Floisme · 21/06/2015 22:02

I already have Costa. And I think most of my friends who have dogs would too.

Costacoffeeplease · 21/06/2015 22:03

Jolly good!

Eigg · 21/06/2015 22:05

Oscar

I was attacked out if the blue by a large dog as a young child, I was bitten and traumatised.

I can cope with a quiet dog, sitting in the other side of the room.

I cannot cope with a licking, barking or jumping dog in close proximity.

I have made such efforts to overcome my fear that lots of my dog owning friends and in fact my PILs really don't understand how truly frightened I am of dogs.

I've tried very hard not to pass my fear into my children.

So from my side I think I've done pretty well at being understanding about how important other people's dogs are to them.

I'm not 'miserable' as you said or 'lacking in compassion' asLadyAmber said up thread but do appear to be rather lacking in empathy.

SirChenjin · 21/06/2015 22:06

The licky dogz are saaaad

To feel hurt that my lovely dog licking someone caused such distress.
honeyroar · 21/06/2015 22:07

I Think that I would have told her she was lucky, he usually cocks his leg, and watch her run off.

I couldn't take someone like that seriously. Don't sit next to a dog if you don't want it touching you. If the dog had run over to her and slobbered on her it would be a different story.

SpudCunt · 21/06/2015 22:08

13 fucking pages over some dog getting in a sneaky lick of an ankle. Jesus fucking christ. Dogs lick now and then. So do horses, cats, sheep, cows, goats and every other fucking furry mammal I've ever come across.

If shrieking was considered an acceptable reaction, I'd have been trampled to death long before puberty.

Even the Daily Mail wouldn't get off their arses for "Animal Briefly Acted Like An Animal" .

iamadaftcoo · 21/06/2015 22:09

People who get disgusted by animals are hilarious.

My SIL goes absolutely apeshit if any creature (bird, cat, dog) comes within 100 feet of her PFB. It's so ridiculous it's not even funny. I grew up grubbing around on the floor with dogs, cats, a tortoise and various furries. I intend to raise my kids the same way.

If this woman hated dogs I don't see why she would sit next to one.

honeyroar · 21/06/2015 22:09

Eigg I can totally see your point of view. I don't allow my dogs (or I try) to jump at people because of things like that. However if someone approaches the dogs it's a different ball game.

Original poster
sweetgrape · 21/06/2015 22:09

How would you like this thread to resolve Sweet
You tell me, as far as I'm concerned it's resolved, A majority of people say my dog shouldn't have licked the woman's ankle. I accepted that and have agreed. It's not my fault if that wasn't enough for people. I get the impression that some want me to continue to disagree just so they can carry on arguing. A light hearted thread turned into something a bit nasty. That's not my fault. What do you want me to say?

OP posts:
marysafairy · 21/06/2015 22:12

Maybe because she doesn't hate dogs. Just got a tiny shock which op was offended by on behalf of Barney Smile

samsam123 · 21/06/2015 22:14

if the woman didn't like dogs she should have sat somewhere else

HuftysTrain · 21/06/2015 22:16

I actually think you have to be a bit mental if you don't like dogs. It's like not enjoying sunny days or holidays or smiley babies. MISERABLE.

I like sunny days, holidays and smoking babies - but I don't like dogs. Am I still miserable?

I think I might actually be sick if one licked me.

marysafairy · 21/06/2015 22:16

Samsam and thedaftcoo, where did the woman ever say she doesn't like or she hates dogs?

SirChenjin · 21/06/2015 22:17

That's actually mentalist - I'm offended by that. Shame on the person who posted it originally.

marysafairy · 21/06/2015 22:18

I love that pic sirchenjin

Cumbrae · 21/06/2015 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

reni1 · 21/06/2015 22:20

Probably, marysafairy. I'm sure Barney is a lovely dog, I would still have jumped if licked by him. I can be quite lovely too, but people would jump if I licked them. I have little contact with dogs and would have been very surprised and a little disgusted, I had no idea licking a stranger is such a normal thing to do for dogs.