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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to expect to go into Pets at Home without being scared by a rat?

82 replies

Bananasandchocolatecustard · 23/07/2015 17:49

I had a training session with a behaviourist for my dogs fear aggression. I went int PaH to buy a long lead. I found one and took it to the counter to pay. There was an assistant at the till, I asked her a question then saw a rat's head poking out of her fleece!!!
The next thing I knew, I was behind a shelving unit hiding from the rat.
I am so scared of rats since a rat family took up residence in my garden a few years ago. I still don't leave my back door open in case a wandering rat fancies a visit.
I know there are are lots of people who like rats, but I don't expect to be confronted by one at a till.
Needless to say I didn't stay in the shop.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bananasandchocolatecustard · 23/07/2015 19:01

Hassled - unfortunately I went to the London Dungeon on saw the man with the rat !! My son had to go over to him and make him promise to keep away from me. I then queued using my son as a human shield. When I got to the rats inside I went past with my eyes closed.
Thanks for the warning though.
The branch is in Barry, S Wales.

OP posts:
Ilovecrapcrafts · 23/07/2015 19:03

I really hate rats too and avoid their cages. There is no way I would expect it to be on the loose at the till.

For all those saying it's a pet shop what do you expect, pet shops don't sell animals loose do they? They're in cages or pens.

EllieFAntspoo · 23/07/2015 19:05

I saw an airplane at an airport once.
Imagine my surprise!
Do they have no consideration for those of us afraid of flying?

Original poster
Bananasandchocolatecustard · 23/07/2015 19:08

Ellie- I avoid the rat area at PaH, I didn't expect to see a rat at the till. If I had a problem with planes I would avoid them and therefore airports.

OP posts:
turdfairynomore · 23/07/2015 19:12

I looked after two hamsters last week. I have no idea why anyone would have them.as pets! It was like looking after two fluffy pontoons! They do nothing!! Our rats though-they are never still! Such adorable little personalities! (And I never thought I'd say that as I didn't really want them.in the first place! But now....love them! They have hands! Tiny, real hands! Like a person! Not paws or claws! So cute!)

Ilovecrapcrafts · 23/07/2015 19:12

If you're scared of flying you're not scared of the vehicle though are you? Hmm

I've never seen a pet loose at a store. I could just stretch to imagining them being out but contained for potential buyers to view.

People are commonly frightened of rats. I've never seen anyone run screaming from a dog seen on the street- they'd need to deal with that if they did since it is likely to hinder their lives, with dogs being so commonly outdoors and all.

Welshmaenad · 23/07/2015 19:13

Oh, that's near my dads! I'm going to go in on Saturday and ask for a ratty cuddle. I miss my rats.

DrLego · 23/07/2015 19:21

You have a dog with some kind of aggression. Rats aren't great. But on the whole dogs kill and injure many many more people. Therefore YABU for being a pansy about a rodent safely ensconced in a fleece.
I have a tortoise. Likelihood of death to self or others- infinitesimally small. Likelihood of needing to go to pets at home - smaller still. It's the way forward.

MrsDeVere · 23/07/2015 19:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dynomite · 23/07/2015 19:25

Well, I'm absolutely terrified of dogs and have no choice but to face them every day. I was almost hit by a bus a few months ago because a dog jumped in front of me out of nowhere and I jumped back, on the road.

It's a pet shop, they sell rats and other rodents so yabu. But I absolutely understand your pain (although no one understands mine,if anything, people think I'm a horrible person for being scared of
of dogs)

CattyCatCat · 23/07/2015 19:27

Yabu. How very fortunate to chance across a friendly rat at such close quarters. I would be quite delighted if that happened to me.

AGnu · 23/07/2015 19:27

"AIBU to want to go outside without being terrified? I walked to work the other day & had to pass no less than 5 people walking their dogs. At one point there were dogs on both sides of the road so I couldn't cross over to avoid them. As they passed the owner of the dog stopped to ask me the time. The dog stood quietly by the owner while I fumbled around with my mobile to answer them & get away as quickly as possible. Is it really so unreasonable to expect dog owners to keep them in cages while in public?"

I can see the responses now... Hmm

FWIW, I would've been perturbed if I'd been in that situation & there'd been a tarantula on their shoulder. I've been known to hyperventilate when seeing a spider in my house. If I saw one out of a tank in P@H & obviously being supervised I'd... shock, horror... go about my business. I might shudder a little at the thought of it touching my neck but I'd not launch myself across the room like I would if there was one in my house! I'd also freak out if there was a wild rat in my house... Pet ones I'd love though!

Mutt · 23/07/2015 19:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

attheendoftheday · 23/07/2015 19:30

Sorry, I think it's like being afraid of dogs and complaining about meeting one in Pets at Home, and area where you know they're allowed. It was on the assistant, not thrust towards you.

Addressing phobias is not as hard as you think if you're finding yours is negatively affecting your life.

Sallystyle · 23/07/2015 19:30

I had pet rats, they were beautiful. So smart and loving. One of them used to try to clean my ears out!

My mum hated them though. She could barely look at them. She especially didn't like their big balls.

I would love to see someone at PAH holding the rats. I completely understand that you are scared of them but it is great they are interacting with them.

Getthewonderwebout · 23/07/2015 19:39

As someone who is petrified of any rodent, I totally understand your fear. That's the problem with fears though, people who don't have them, don't understand them.

As an aside, to buy 2 goldfish in pets at home I was asked a load of questions and had to fill in a form and sign it. I didn't have to do this at our local vair flash garden centre though - they scooped them out, bunged then in a bag and that was that. Could have been up to all sorts with those bloody fish.

ftmsoon · 23/07/2015 19:46

YAB absolutely U. I hate dogs and have no choice about them being bloody everywhere. At least the rat was tucked away in her fleece and couldn't get anywhere near you. Get over yourself.

ProcrastinatorGeneral · 23/07/2015 20:15

I miss the pet shop near my old house. The Saturday girl always had a tarantula sat on her head. She wore her hair in a bun and her Chilean rose spid used to sit there happily sleeping off the day. My daughter was in love with the girl and the spider.

Sorry. It's to be expected that there'll be animals about in a pet shop, though I'm sorry it startled you. I hope you managed to get the long line for your dog at some point :)

CrapBag · 23/07/2015 20:30

I can see your point because you don't like them and weren't expecting it but actually I think YABU because a lot of people complain about pet shops never handling their animals and rats are very sociable animals. I think its great that PaH were actually handling them.

I am biased though as I have 2 rats and they love being carried around in my dressing gown. They are also rolling pets, far better and more intelligent than any other small animal.

You do know that pet rats do not compare in any way to disease ridden wild rats. I get a bit fed up with the reaction I get. You would think I just popped into my nearest sewer and grabbed the first 2 wild rats I could find the way people go on about them.

I am allergic to dogs. But every time I go in PaH there people are, walking their mangy mutts around the shop (I dislike dogs as well as being allergic to them) but I can't complain about that.

HagOtheNorth · 23/07/2015 20:42

It was a pet shop, and rats are so much better tempered than hamsters.
They need playing with and socialising, so YABU. I thought you were meaning a wild rat.

SteveBrucesNose · 23/07/2015 20:56

I got shouted at the other day by another customer in the vets who had to walk past my dog, and she was scared of dogs so I should leave until she had finished at the desk. In the fucking vets. Yes I know it's possible to have other pets that need treating and be scared of dogs, but come on woman!

silveroldie2 · 23/07/2015 21:10

I wouldn't have a massive problem with a rat but I firmly believe that no animals should be sold in pet shops.

Janethegirl · 23/07/2015 21:24

Where then do you buy pets?

ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 23/07/2015 21:26

Where then do you buy pets?

Breeders?

Janethegirl · 23/07/2015 21:56

Breeders are better?

I guess it depends on what you want to buy Hmm.

Not much use for tropical fish though.

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