AIBU?
to think of this woman was really concerned about my dog she'd have spoken to me
Springersrock · 23/06/2017 16:11
Rather than 'shaming' me on Facebook?
DH and I run a business together. When we're both at work all day, we take our dog into work with us.
On Wednesday it was super hot and dog spent most of the day fast asleep on the cold concrete floor, right in front of a large fan wearing a Cool Coat.
Last night I got a message from a friend to tell me that someone had posted a photo of him on a local Facebook spotted/community.
I had a look and yes, there's a photo of our dog snoozing away, with a huge rant about irresponsible owners, dogs not being fashion accessories, how the dog must have been boiling hot, was visibly distressed and panting.
Most of the comments under the photo do point out that the coat is actually a Cool Coat and that the dog doesn't look distressed but there is some of our company literature visible in the background so it's quite identifying.
No one asked about the dog or commented about his coat, if they'd asked then I would have explained so I'm really fucked off.
I've posted a polite explanation and messaged the admin of the page to ask for it to be taken down, but surely, if you were that concerned about someone's dog you'd bring it up with their owner
DoloresTheRunawayTrain · 23/06/2017 16:15
You've addressed it with the admin. If they won't take it down add a statement yourself about the coat, the fan, the concrete, the fact that it's better than the dog being locked up alone at home and if she had any concerns she was perfectly welcome to come in and address them with you whereupon all of this would have been explained to her.
However, I doubt that entered her head. She's a keyboard warrior, one of those who spout about everything they would have done in a situation and belittle others choices when, if faced with the same situation her sage advice and strong action would evaporate and she'd put her head down, beetle off and say nothing.
Blackbutler86 · 23/06/2017 16:28
I agree with Dolores fuck her, she just some stupid keyboard warrior who can sod off. You've done the right thing by explaining it was a cool coat as have others. Don't let it bother you, I foster dogs and usually get sent the ill and/or neglected ones which means I often get people saying rude stuff to me and thinking I'm some sort of dog abuser when I'm out walking them with my healthy looking dogs. I do explain nicely what I do but there's been times when I've not been so nice...
RhubardGin · 23/06/2017 16:28
Too many people nowadays are so quick to snap something and plaster it all over FB without the facts to get their "slap on the back, I'm an amazing caring person" award!
You've messaged admin to remove and posted a well mannered professional reply, not much more you can do. At least the people who commented had more sense than the poster.
TheHodgeoftheHedge · 23/06/2017 16:28
I really struggle with anyone who participates in public shaming as I think it's a quite horrible thing. This is a perfect example of why people shouldn't rush to judgement as they rarely know the full situation and these things can be deeply hurtful.
hugs op. I think you've done the right thing and try not to let it bother you. The poster is an absolute eejit.
Springersrock · 23/06/2017 16:29
Yes, apparently I should have left him at home.
He loves coming to work with us, he gets lots of attention and biscuits from our customers and our building is out in the sticks so he gets lovely walks across the fields
I don't think she knew what a Cool Coat was. Fine, I'd never heard of them until recently either, but she could have asked.
Thanks!
ThymeLord · 23/06/2017 16:42
Too many people nowadays are so quick to snap something and plaster it all over FB without the facts to get their "slap on the back, I'm an amazing caring person" award!
I agree with this.
You've done the right thing by messaging the admin of the site. It' must have been pretty unpleasant to see a post like that though. Just comfort yourself with the knowledge that the person can't have been very bright 
Here -> 
and 
Springersrock · 23/06/2017 16:50
Thanks!
It was horrid to see such a public, and identifiable (not to mention untrue and unfair) bashing.
Fortunately most people were reasonable but there were still a few who joined in with the bashing. One wanted me to be forced to wear a fur coat, with another coat over the top to see how it felt.
Bizarrely, another bashed me for clipping his hair too short as I clearly couldn't be bothered to brush him properly - he's a springer and usually we keep him quite long and feathery but it was hot, and hair grows back so I thought feck it and gave him a crew cut
Can't do right for doing wrong!
Wolfiefan · 23/06/2017 16:57
I have a cool coat for my giant pup! The first time I put it on her she lay spread out to ensure more of her body was in contact with it. She stopped panting and was much happier. They really worked.
Why on earth not say "oh poor doggy suffering in this heat! What's the coat for?"
If I was wearing a fur coat I would rather lie on a cool floor with a fan and cooling coat. And be with people who could make sure I wasn't distressed and could drink as much water as I needed.
Lucky dog!
OkapiCarrot · 23/06/2017 16:59
Could you politely reply back to the poster,
Hi X,
Thank you for the concern for our dog. While I do agree people need to be careful with pups in this heat, Springersdog was brought into work so we could keep an eye on him rather than leave him in a hot house unattended. As you can see, he is wearing his cool coat and is happily sleeping at his cold fan. Perhaps you visited while he was excited at another customer, as you can see by the picture you've posted he is not visibly stressed or panting.
Thanks for your concern,
Springersrock
And then just don't reply.
If she's attempting to name and shame your business ðŸ˜
NavyandWhite · 23/06/2017 17:02
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
rofl, they're like the dog equivalent of a frumpy dog walking coat, there's no way anyone buys them for looks.Springersrock · 24/06/2017 08:49
I don't think she realised it was a cool coat, I think she thought I'd dressed him up or something.
But yeah, it's hardly cutting edge fashion 
Just had a quick look and the photo is still there. A couple of our customers must have recognised him as there is now a couple more really lovely.
ProjectGainsborough · 24/06/2017 09:59
Never heard of a cool coat but maybe you could post a link in her thread explaining what it is to shut the comments up?
Bloody outrageous though. If you're really worried, why would you not say anything at the time? Frothing on the internet doesn't help the dog out 
Soubriquet · 24/06/2017 10:20
Some people just love to get on their high horse.
I hope your admin removes it....ours doesn't.
I remember once watching a tv program on animal rescues. Someone had reported a horse with a rug on, mask and leg coverings on a boiling hot day.
RSPCA went out to the horse and it was a specially made cooling outfit to keep the coat clean and cool as she was a show horse. She got the coat off in the evenings to run around but in the middle of the day, she had it on to keep her the sun from bleaching her coat.
I dread to think how many people reported that horse.
Sparklingbrook · 24/06/2017 10:20
I can't work out whether those FB Spotted pages are a good thing or not. Useful when you hear about missing cats and traffic updates. But I wonder about the people that run the pages and seem to post anything plus it's all anonymous which doesn't seem right.
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