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AIBU?

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Original poster

WIBU to tell colleague she shouldn't have a dog?

195 replies

thesleepystorm · 23/08/2017 13:50

I know I should mind my own business but...my colleague is about to purchase a pug puppy. She found it on the pets4homes Hmm website. She lives in a top floor London flat (where she isn't allowed pets anyway, she rents), she is out all day at work and then the gym so about 12 hours a day but does not intend on employing a dog walker because it's too expensive, nor does she intend on getting pet insurance for the same reason. Yet she has spent ££££££ on an expensive bed, toys and carrier for this dog. She has never owned a pet before.

I really want to say something to her regarding the above - particularly warning her off pets4homes - but I think she might tell me to sod off. But it makes me so cross!!! WIBU to say something?

OP posts:
Original poster
thesleepystorm · 23/08/2017 15:25

You have to do your due diligence on a breeder wherever you get their details from!

Yes of course you should but people often don't, as my colleague proves.

Maybe you do get a few decent breeders on there but they are massively few and far between. And they're easy enough to find elsewhere if you look carefully enough, so as a website it's unnecessary and dangerous IMO.

OP posts:
misscockerspaniel · 23/08/2017 15:26

I would tell her exactly what I thought - poor dog. Though I doubt she will keep it for long, once it starts chewing her belongings etc. It sounds as though she is buying a fashion accessory. My post would be deleted if I said what I really thought about people who do that!

Original poster
thesleepystorm · 23/08/2017 15:26

Also as pointed out upthread, most good breeders don't actually need to advertise on a website like that as they already have waiting lists.

OP posts:
nowwheredidmyunicorngo · 23/08/2017 15:28

I'd report her to the rescue centre. She will probably have lied to them to get the dog. Tell them her working hours and she won't get it.

I hate people who do this!

arousingcheer · 23/08/2017 15:28

Ffs where does she think rescue dogs come from?? This happens all the time: idiot buys cute dog, can't take care of it, it goes into rescue.

There are pug breed rescue organisations but we all know that they'd never rehome a dog in such conditions.

MsPassepartout · 23/08/2017 15:28

I'm inclined to think that if she was all that bothered about the welfare of anyactual dog, she'd have researched it and considered all this stuff about long working hours / insurance / living conditions / dog walkers etc etc already, and rethought her original ideas.

She hasn't. So therefore, if you do say anything, I would slant it completely towards how getting this dog will inconvenience her.

"Puppies aren't housetrained. How will you stop it weeing and pooing over all your lovely things when you're out 12 hrs a day?"
"Puppies chew things lots. My friend X had her new shoes or whatever destroyed that way"
"Won't your neighbours report the puppy when they hear the barking and get you evicted?"
"Acquaintance X had a pug that got health condition very common in pugs, lucky they had insurance as it would have cost them £££££ otherwise"

And so on.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 23/08/2017 15:29

I saw someone on petsforhome fb page selling a mature female westie, that had just been neutered and also wasn't house trained, and was shy around people... hmm

Original poster
thesleepystorm · 23/08/2017 15:30

I'd report her to the rescue centre. She will probably have lied to them to get the dog. Tell them her working hours and she won't get it.

She's not getting a rescue, she's buying one off the internet.

OP posts:
nowwheredidmyunicorngo · 23/08/2017 15:32

sorry! didn't read properly.

Still awful. Can you get the breeder's number?

Original poster
thesleepystorm · 23/08/2017 15:34

tbh nowhere as they're willing to sell one to her without even meeting her first or asking her anything about how her circumstances make her a suitable dog owner, I really doubt they're interested in the dog's welfare, only the ££££

OP posts:
Janus · 23/08/2017 15:34

Surely she's going to walk the poor thing? How will she explain walking a dog through the building every day? I have an English bulldog (similar health issues) and she's had a couple of small ailments, each one has cost about £300. She's nuts.

Original poster
thesleepystorm · 23/08/2017 15:36

It apparently won't need walking as it can walk in the flat Hmm

OP posts:
LemonBreeland · 23/08/2017 15:38

So she is willing to spend £1000 on a dog but not insure it or gave a dog walker? She sounds incredibly stupid and naïve.

kateandme · 23/08/2017 15:42

Oh crap.I had no idea the site was bad.I've been looking on there AMD even spotted a few potentials!oh no.
So where do I go how should I search.wen I go on if site I become quite bewildered :/

sonjadog · 23/08/2017 15:43

I suggest rather than charging in and telling her not to get a dog, you engage her in conversation about dog ownership. Ask her questions to help her reflect over issues that will arise from dog ownership. Aim to get her to draw her own conclusions about her suitability as a dog owner, or about what kind of changes she´ll need to make to have a dog.

I don´t see that you telling her straight not to get a dog will achieve anything other than getting her back up.

kateandme · 23/08/2017 15:43

KC*

KatharinaRosalie · 23/08/2017 15:43

ask what she is planning to do whe her neighbours report her, because the poor neglected poor puppy barks and howls the entire day. And has she budgeted for floor repairs where the dog poops and pees all over the place in those 12 hours. What does she think will happen, the dog will just hold it?

Original poster
thesleepystorm · 23/08/2017 15:43

I'm not being funny but a quick google tells you all you need to know about how to find a reputable breeder and a suitable breed

it's really not rocket science.

OP posts:
MistyMinge · 23/08/2017 15:43

This makes me so angry. Probably make no difference, but I'd have to say something.

That dog will have zero quality of life.

I seriously believe we should have to apply for a licence to keep a dog.

Original poster
thesleepystorm · 23/08/2017 15:44

she says she will get a litter tray for the dog

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 23/08/2017 15:44

FFS. Tell her about the cost of the nostril widening surgery. Or that my pup ate a wall. Yes a wall. I only turned my back for a couple of minutes. Or that mine had separation anxiety and couldn't be left. At all. Not a minute.
People make me Angry

CornflakeHomunculus · 23/08/2017 15:48

@kateandme There's lots of links to good information about buying a puppy (or, more accurately, finding a breeder) on this thread in the Doghouse.

Wheatfield · 23/08/2017 15:49

I HATE people like your colleague. Stupid, irresponsible knobhead. Tell the landlord if you can find out who it is. I'd tell her in no uncertain terms that she's a fucking idiot, and a cruel one at that. Not getting pet insurance?! Expecting a dog to stay in a flat all day with no toilet break?! I bet she won't walk it either! She needs reporting to RSPCA or similar if she does get one (not that they'd do anything Hmm)

Original poster
thesleepystorm · 23/08/2017 15:51

I'm a cat person rather than a dog person and even I seem to be able to grasp the basic concepts of dog ownership so why she can't is beyond me

I am going to say something to her when she gets back from her meeting in 10 minutes.

OP posts:
Mrscropley · 23/08/2017 15:54

Send her this and tell her it's much more suitable for her lifestyle. . .

WIBU to tell colleague she shouldn't have a dog?
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