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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Pepperpot99 · 22/06/2015 13:08

Catofthegreenglades said it.

OP the crux of your problem is that you are deluded. You describe your dog as 'gentle', 'loving', 'the sweetest' - like he is some sort of King Dog. You must accept the reality that he is just another dog and lots of people don't like dogs. End of. People who don't like dogs couldn't care less how much you froth and fawn over it - it's still a bloody dog.

Being slobbered over by some random dog in public when you are sitting on a park bench - which is designed for HUMANS and NOT DOGS btw, - is vile and hideous.

IKnowIAmButWhatAreYou · 22/06/2015 13:08

prorsum is fibbing to make him/her/it self look big & clever, just hit "Ignore" and move on with life.....

SirChenjin · 22/06/2015 13:09

It's not laughable or OTT at all - there are plenty of people who are scared of dogs or who simpky don't want to be licked by one. Personally (as I said upthread) I expect a dog to lick (and the owner to apologise..) so if I felt very strongly about it I wouldn't sit next to one. That being said, conversely I don't expect anyone to "get a fucking grip" if they're bothered by it.

Pepperpot99 · 22/06/2015 13:10

I'm with prorsum on this one.

prorsum · 22/06/2015 13:11

No worries costa. If I were as obtuse as you, then I'd be worried. You're giving a masterclass in fuckery. You're doing good work, carry on.

OvidWasMyFishmonger · 22/06/2015 13:11

You misunderstand prorsum. Do you really think that only dog owners will think that a deliberate act of criminal cruelty against a non threatening animal, to say nothing of that it was committed in front of four children and that you appear to be gloating about it, is a normal or acceptable thing to do?

There's another aspect to you kicking a harmless dog. You're very lucky that you didn't have me or someone like me witness it. You wouldn't be gloating then.

Costacoffeeplease · 22/06/2015 13:13

Of course it's OTT, of all the ridiculous things to worry about, a bit of saliva on the ankle shouldn't even be on the radar of any rational person

A lick on the hand/face yes fine, be hysterical if you want, but the ankle??

IKnowIAmButWhatAreYou · 22/06/2015 13:13

is a normal or acceptable thing to do?

It's irrelevant because it didn't happen....

It's classic MN Bullshittery - if you haven't got anything to contribute, make some shit up for maxim reaction.

Don't fall for it!!

Costacoffeeplease · 22/06/2015 13:15

Thanks - I wasn't planning on stopping but great to have your encouragement

OvidWasMyFishmonger · 22/06/2015 13:17

IKnow, I think you may be right there.

Bored housewife makes outrageous claim to look clever. Bless.

prorsum · 22/06/2015 13:17

No ovid? What would I be doing?

I was not gloating, I recounted an incident that happened to me at my local park. I did not include it in my first post because I felt that blame lay at both the op and screamers feet and it would not add anything to the thread.

I understand the close relationship an owner and dog have. What is clear from this thread is some dog owners cannot understand that some of us can't stand dogs, and we do not have to tolerate the shit their owners let them get away with. It's that simple.

OvidWasMyFishmonger · 22/06/2015 13:18

Eating very soft food.

theendoftheendoftheend · 22/06/2015 13:19

I don't mind dogs but I don't like being licked, it would probably make me jump because iI hate the sensation of it.
I think if you're concerned your dogs feelings might be hurt by people objecting to it licking them the best thing to do is to discourage it from doing so. It's like my 2 yr old who thinks the whole world will be interested iin what she has to say. They aren't. I don't worry about her feelings if someone blanks her, it's part of life and something she needs to learn not something other people should put up with to spare her feelings.

Denimwithdenim00 · 22/06/2015 13:20

Arnt you due at that festival in china?

SirChenjin · 22/06/2015 13:20

Costa - again, it's your opinion that a rational (why is someone's mental health always held up for question, I wonder? Really don't like that..) person would find it so distasteful that they would - to quote you - need a fucking grip.

prorsum · 22/06/2015 13:20

Yeah, I'm a bored housewife. How original.

Why do you think I'm lying?

Costacoffeeplease · 22/06/2015 13:20

People who can't stand dogs don't have to sit next to them on a park bench - quite simple really

Gottagetmoving · 22/06/2015 13:21

The dog doesn't think everyone loves him and he would not be 'hurt' by someone not liking him licking them!
Half the problem with dogs is that owners insist on believing they have human emotions and feelings.

However much you think your dog is human, it's not. It has the instincts of a dog.

YABU to think someone should feel comfortable with being licked.

SirChenjin · 22/06/2015 13:23

Please ignore bit about mental health - had you confused with another poster who calling that into question

theendoftheendoftheend · 22/06/2015 13:24

There's a difference between disliking dogs and disliking being licked by them. I would hazzard a guess the woman in the OP had a problem with the latter

prorsum · 22/06/2015 13:25

theendof That's what these people don't understand. I think the kids I'm with are fantastic but I know others may not find them so. I admit I will engage with a two year olds ramblings or a child riding a scooter into me way more tolerantly than a dog coming to my table or charging at me.

Psychopathic aren't I?

Costacoffeeplease · 22/06/2015 13:25

Yep it certainly is my opinion - rational means 'in normal circumstances/without mitigating circumstances/history/fear/allergy etc

Anyone who had any reason (fear/allergy/plain dislike) wouldn't sit themselves down next to a dog!

knickernicker · 22/06/2015 13:25

She over reacted - sounds a bit mad as she invaded your space to sit there.

You do need to train your dog not to lick though. And you are wrong if you think it's ok to let your dog do that no matter how cute you think he is.

prorsum · 22/06/2015 13:26

Would love to go to China. So the Chinese eat dogs. So What?

Pastaeater · 22/06/2015 13:28

So many hysterical reactions!!
The point is, OP, that a lot of people don't like dogs and are not happy to be licked by them. I've no idea why the woman sat next to your dog and I agree that she seems to have over-reacted, but WHY can dog owners not understand that not everyone loves their beloved pets? I am not (normally) frightened of dogs but I do find them rather repulsive irritating at times.
I'm afraid pets take second place to people, not the other way round.