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AIBU?

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Original poster

to feel angry seeing pics of my friend's new puppy on facebook?

124 replies

ChickenVindaloo2 · 08/11/2017 23:03

For the past year she has been telling me how she feels really bad but she's trying to re-home 2 rabbits that her children (a boy and girl, about 6 and 8) aren't interested in anymore. But she was worried a rescue would blacklist her from adopting animals in future.

Today I see that she has bought them a puppy and proudly posted pictures of the children with said puppy on facebook.

I assume the rabbits are still in a cage at the bottom of the garden.

I'd adopt them but I have a (rescue) cat.

I honestly feel like her values are so removed from mine that I can't be friends with her anymore.

OP posts:
Jessikita · 09/11/2017 19:03

Makes me see red.

My husband and I currently have his ex’s Border Collie that apparently her new baby was allergic too (this happened before I let him.) She put a real guilt trip on him that their kids would be upset if she had to rehome her elsewhere, despite the fact her never wanted a dog in the first place.

A few years later she got a Husky, shes’s got a a small 3 bed with 8 people living in it and 3 extra when her new boyfriend’s kids come to stay. Madness and infuriating.

People treat dogs and pets like toys.
It’s not on.

Barbaro · 09/11/2017 19:06

God the poor animals mentioned on this thread. Feel sick at how some people treat animals.

It annoys me when I see people taking on horses they can't cope with too. One family took on a pony last year near me, kid that wanted it barely rode it and they sold it on cheap thankfully to someone who actually knows what they are doing. Pony is fat from no work and has severe skin conditions from no proper care.

Take the rabbits in though OP. The cat will be fine with them. When we had rabbits and cats, the rabbits chased the cats, and its not like the rabbits were massive they were small and the cats massive.

Keepthebloodynoisedown · 09/11/2017 19:13

Notreallyarsed a lot of people see reptiles as easy options, but they do need a lot of care, and regular handling, or they will react badly when you do.
I’m thinking about taking it, but I’m worried about how well it’s been cared for before now.

Notreallyarsed · 09/11/2017 19:16

Can reptiles be “retrained” after neglect for want of a better word? Like dogs who can be rehomed and learn to be loved? I’m not really knowledgeable on reptiles beyond seeing BIL with his very pampered beardie.

Notreallyarsed · 09/11/2017 19:17

Sorry that question was for Keepthebloodynoisedown

Keepthebloodynoisedown · 10/11/2017 14:56

A lot of aggression can be down to them not being used to being handled regularly, or problems with their enclosure, like not having enough places to hide, or the temp being wrong.
One of my snakes was incredible skittish when we got her (rescue), but has now settled completely, and is really happy to be handled.

Notreallyarsed · 10/11/2017 15:05

Thanks for answering, I was just curious. I know BIL is really careful with his lights/temp and he’s handled regularly and gets a good run of the house too (everything is designed so this is safe)

pollymere · 10/11/2017 17:55

My daughter failed to look after two fish so any pets we got would be for ourselves, no matter how much she wants a rabbit, guinea pig or cat. Let's hope that this lady will take responsibility for the puppy rather than it being for the kids.

Deathraystare · 10/11/2017 18:09

she laughed her head off and told me she had forgotten them so when she eventually checked on them they were just remains - that has stayed with me.

Christ. Scarey and should not ever have a pet again -or a child I think!

Dauphinoise · 10/11/2017 18:18

NRTFT but YANBU

My sister is exactly like your friend OP. In fact she's worse. She's had more pets than you can shake a stick at... dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, birds, fish. All of which have either been neglected and died, 'released' to fend for themselves or rehomed to anybody who'll take them off her hands.

She sees them on tv/in a pet shop/a friend has one and she suddenly decides the kids she must have one. Then the gushy fb posts start on the arrival of said new pet. The novelty quickly wears off though and she's complaining it's a pain in the arse and the poor things gone. But she never learns. She'll keep doing it forever and a day. Gets my back up big time.

Chrys2017 · 10/11/2017 18:24

@paranoidpammywhammy2 Good on you for de-friending such a vile creature! Unbelievable how thick/cruel some people are.
@TroubledTribble28 I would have to disown any relative of mine who did something like that!

QueenUnicorn · 10/11/2017 18:28

YANBU
Pets are not toys.
I know someone who is on their 4th kitten in 6 years....

IrritatedUser1960 · 10/11/2017 18:37

i couldn't have a friend like that, I'd unfriend them and tell them why.

ginnette · 10/11/2017 18:39

Please, please please if you know of an animal suffering try to do what you can to get it rehomed! There are various rescues around the country that should be able to help.
I'd probably mention to her that hope her and her children don't get bored of the puppy like they have the rabbit, but bit late now she's actually got it!
I read there's more homeless street dogs in the world than there are with a home and whilst humans breed more and more pets millions are put down and/or suffer horrendous lives ... I do lots of fundraising for various rescues (mainly abroad) but the UK has a growing problem.Every year the rescues struggle more and more.
People need to stop breeding pets and also stop thinking of pets as throwaway toys :'(

Original poster
ChickenVindaloo2 · 10/11/2017 18:44

I'll do everything I can to help these rabbits, this puppy and any other animals I come across!

My cat is on my knee, snoring. It is a privilege to have her and she brightens my life! I can't even begin to think about anyone ever treating her badly.

Lots of love to you all. xx

OP posts:
Scotland32 · 10/11/2017 19:54

Makes me fume too. I have a friend who ditched her dog because she didn't want to pay to take it overseas when she moved. A pet is for life (except under truly exceptional circumstances!) in my book.

lolalola19 · 10/11/2017 20:41

I hate how people have animals 'for the children' or to teach their children 'how babies are made' or how to 'show responsibility feeding/caring for them' then when they find the rabbit dead with no food or water it 'was only a rabbit' or 'we'll get a puppy now (for six months then when it grows into a dog we'll get rid and buy another)'!!!!
Makes my blood boil how people see animals as worth nothing, less than computer games, their lives worthless.
Some people are so thick.

WhoWants2Know · 10/11/2017 20:52

This thread has made me pine so much for my bunnies that died years ago. I would love to be in a position to have pets again and it gives me rage when I see arseholes who treat them like accessories.

My ex nearly came home with a greyhound not long ago, because he was under the impression that they lay around all day. Not that he’s spent time with one or read about the breed...

Iwantamarshmallow · 10/11/2017 21:00

I really dislike people who do this. I have a cat and a rabbit they don't bother each other apart from the two occasions the bunny has escaped and chased the cat around the garden or up on the shed roof...i think the cat needs to man up

LastGirlOnTheLeft · 10/11/2017 21:12

So what do you do about it, Dauphinois? Do you TELL her she is an evil piece of crap or what?

Dauphinoise · 10/11/2017 21:21

LastGirlOnTheLeft yes I've been very outspoken with my disgust. We no longer speak any more though. Haven't spoken for a couple of yrs now. Not just for this particular reason admittedly, but LOTS of reasons relating to her selfishness and total disregard for anyone / anything but herself. Temporarily using animals as novelty toys is just the tip of the iceberg.

Geordie1944 · 10/11/2017 21:24

Why not suggest that they eat the rabbits? At least four decent dinners in a couple of rabbits.

LesDennishair · 10/11/2017 21:29

My ex nearly came home with a greyhound not long ago, because he was under the impression that they lay around all day. Not that he’s spent time with one or read about the breed...

There was someone on the radio just this week saying greyhounds didn't need much exercise (2 x 20 mins a day) and were happy without gardens and slept a lot.! They were recommending the breed particularly I think. Is that not then true?

pangolina · 10/11/2017 21:30

A former friend of mine let her two bunnies loose in the woods in winter. I could never look at her the same way again and haven't really spoken to her since.
I loathe people who neglect animals or treat them cruelly.

LesDennishair · 10/11/2017 21:30

Hope it works out, OP. The way some rabbits are kept is very sad indeed, I think they're hard work and people don't realise (we have rabbits and they need a lot of space and regular cleaning out etc).

Reminds me of a friend of mine back in the 80s. The mother wanted a west highland puppy so they took the two elderly mixed breed dogs (very nice and affectionate they were I remember) to the RSPCA rehoming centre. The new puppy was named 'Sam' after one of the rehomed dogs! Unbelievable.

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