To think that my dog is not 'just a dog'?

[WilburIsSomePig]

Well of course he's 'just a dog' because he's, well, a dog.

BUT he's a massive, huge part of my and DH's life and of my DC's lives. He's the first member of the household that DS (who is a different boy since we got him) talks to in the morning and last he talks to at night. He cheers me up just by looking at me and wagging his tail. DH suffers from insomnia and frequently wanders downstairs during the night and I'll find the dog cuddled up to him on the sofa (he's not allowed on the furniture btw . DD sits and chats to him when she comes home from school in a bad mood for whatever reason 10 year olds get in a bad mood about. I love everything about him, we all do.

And now we find he has a huge tumour and things are looking very bleak. I can't even tell you how devastated we all are and MIL tells DS not to be silly as 'it's just a dog and you can get another one'.

I know not everyone likes pets, or dogs but he's ours and we love him. I don't suppose this is really a BU thread, I just wanted to tell someone else.

A dog never asks WHEN , WHERE or WHY ? and so is always welcome in this household of people who ask me this almost constantly.

So sorry about your lovely dog. Dogs are wonderful creatures, they never judge, they always love & want to make us happy. As you say your dog is confused about why everyone's upset. He's not upset for himself, he doesn't know what's happening and doesn't know he's ill. He's not in pain and he's still happy. Hopefully that will continue for a while yet. If he's still enjoying life and not in pain then he can go on at least a bit longer.
When the time comes you'll make the right decision because you owe it to him. I've had to do it and it's the worst decision but one you have to make and you'll do it because you don't want him to suffer.
I hope the news from the vet is positive

So sorry, op
What was that rant about, Havana?

Wilbur

My children joke about how our oldest dog is my favourite child - because whenever they've asked (and they have) which of them I prefer, I've always said "the dog". But he's always been happy to see me, doesn't object to being in the same postcode as me when we're out (my youngest is now at that awkward stage between little boy and teenager), and he genuinely makes me smile every day with his antics (as does the pup who joined us a month ago, actually).

He had a lump removed this time last year and, fortunately (for them) no one said to me "but he's just a dog". A dog loves without condition, expects very little from us, but gives us the world. That's not "just a dog". That's something that we humans can only ever dream of being, I'm afraid.

I am very sorry about the awful news. Of course it is devastating when our pets are seriously ill, they are members of the family and irreplaceable.

I don't know if you have tried this already but if you haven't it is well worth getting a second opinion from a specialist vet in one of the big centres. They often have more options to offer than local vets - not because local vets are incompetent or uncaring, but simply because they are generalists and cannot know everything.

Your MIL is to be pitied, as she has never had that secret compartment in her heart opened. Only a dog in the family can do this, to let out a whole new level of love, affection and companionship.
It is so hard to go through this.
One thing that helped me was 'better a day too early than a day too late'.
We were able to get the vet to come to us to set our girl free. It cost us more, but was so very worth it. She was in her favourite place outside.
Do the right thing if the time comes, he deserves it.

This us going to sound pathetic.

Ddog is 3Rd child without the hassle and children's joy. He keeps me company. He makes us laugh. He keeps me company when I'm working ( I work from home). He gets me out of the house, people talk to us because of him. He is never stroppy (dd are you listening), will do anything for a sausage (tbf so will dh) and is generally lovely.
So a dog is never just a dog.

If you asked me this before ddog (first dog) I probably wouldn't of got it as I was a cat person. Now I'm a cat and dog person. Now....a goldfish us just a fish....

Havana:

Completely inappropriate.

A dog is not just a dog! I love my dog like a child, everyone calls her my hairy daughter I would do anything for my pooch!

I'm sorry to hear about your dog, he is lucky to have someone like you looking after him

No, he's not just a dog. Sending massive hugs.

Lost my dog a year ago and still haven't managed to throw his bed out yet...

When I'm out walking I still turn around to see if he's there..

non -pet owners don't get it.

sorry you're going through this

A dog is people too and a big part of a family.

Humans are deserving of love too

Not all humans.

They are not 'just a dog'. We lost ours at 13 years of age last year and we were totally bereft, she was such an important part of our family and grew up with our children. People say to me on a daily basis "why don't you get another one?" Like she is easily replaceable. I have no interest in getting another dog and don't think I will for a long time. All you can do is remind yourselves of what a happy life you've given him xx

People who have never had a dog will never understand. There is no such thing as "just" a dog. Sorry for your horrible news OP.

@PrisonerofBrenda

One line responses without a counter argument are ridiculous.

What exactly is your point about what I said.

I'm so sorry you had this awful news. It's heart breaking.

We got our dog when my mental health started going downhill. I had grown up with dogs and we had just moved in together and I was very lonely and my dh had to work to support us.

We picked a naughty beagle pup and I remember the first day I had her dh came home and I burst into tears because she had fallen asleep on me in the morning and I felt so guilty because she was comfy that I hadn't moved all day!!!!!!!!

A month later I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.
She was just there. she didn't judge me. She encouraged me to take a few steps outside. To get dressed. To go into rooms in the house I was irrationally afraid of walking into.
It was so hard training a puppy but it kept my mind busy. We learnt to walk together, a walked to the end of the garden, then the end of the street, and she would be nervous of the cars or sit down tired and I would be encouraging her and ignoring my own fears.

When I was suicidal, I could barely talk to dh but I could talk to her. The only thing that stopped me some days was the thought "what would she do without me? Who would walk her? Feed her?". She would nudge my arm and I'd feel so guilty for even thinking of leaving her.

When I was stuck in a world of psychosis and couldn't tell if what I was seeing was real, I would send her over to where ever it was and she would sniff around and return, obviously If there had been something there she would have reacted. So she gave me confidence and reassurance in my darkest times.

I owe my life to my dog. But to other people she's "just a dog".
They don't know what they're missing out on.

Havana, your post makes no sense at all. What do you even mean by hairs and smells being 'verboten'? Is your home completely sterile? And why on earth would having feelings for a pet mean that you are unfeeling towards humans? In fact, it is the OP's non-dog-loving MIL who is unfeeling towards humans, by totally failing to understand their grandson's needs and feelings.

OP

Totally wrong thread for this, Havana, really

I'm in the same situation with a smaller pet atm OP and it is heartbreaking. They aren't just anything. They are family and losing them is devastating. So sorry for you.

Havana, babies and children aren't always clean or hadn't you noticed? Your post is nasty, inappropriate and most of it doesn't make sense.

Wilbur, I'm so sorry about your poor dog. I can't believe anyone could be so insensitive to say he's just a dog. I don't have a dog but anyone who said that about my cat would get short shrift

Havana I rarely give them out but do have a

Don't Havana. Have the good grace to allow Wilber and others to share their stories.

There's no 'just' about it. This is a much loved member of your family and I'm heartbroken for you.

DDog helped DS through bad times and greets us with joy when we get home (unlike DC). For his treatment we'd remortgage the house.

Fingers, toes and everything crossed for you.

I can't quite understand humans who have no empathy for animals, you don't have to like or love them but for your MIL to say it's just a dog shows a basic lack of empathy.

havana maybe you'd be a little less patronising and understanding if you had worked with PAT dogs and abused children, as I have done. Personally I'd rather deal with pet hair than some humans.