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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think dogs are not the same as human children?

316 replies

TacoLover · 03/03/2019 16:55

I've seen this both on here and IRL, and I have to say it really pisses me off. This isn't just with dogs, I've seen people compare their guinea pig to their child once, saying they couldn't choose between them if they could only save one from a fireHmm but mostly people do this with dogs.

Most of the time when people say this it's a discussion about how they can't believe someone would rehome a dog because they can't cope, they wouldn't rehome a child would they so how is it different, yadda yadda. I don't agree with rehoming a dog without trying your absolute hardest to fix any problems first but ffs a dog is not the same as a human child! I'd hope that a parent would put the needs of their child over the needs of their dog if it came down to it..(doesn't seem so for the guinea pig coupleConfused)

AIBU to think it's ridiculous to say a dog is the same as a human child??

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 03/03/2019 17:51

“You know exactly what it means”

I wasn’t being facetious...

I was genuinely meaning, WTF do people mean when they say stuff like that? Have they actually sat and thought about it? Or are they just saying ridiculous things?

Like the dog/baby couple...

I’d have been asking them in what way they thought keeping the dog out of the baby’s room would be not prioritising the dog?... if the dog needed a room then prioritising the dog would be not giving the baby a room or buying a big enough house to give them a room each.

Basically I’m saying statements like that make no sense if you really think about them, so why not call them on it at the time...

juliainthedeepwater · 03/03/2019 17:52

Regardless of whether you're BU, this is such an odd thing to get in a tizz about (I can quickly think of a few more worthy things...) - as ultimately it boils down to love. You might not understand or agree with those people who have a deep and sustaining love for their animals - and equate that love for whatever reason to familial love - but why let it make you angry? It's a positive force in the world and a strange thing to rail against, in my opinion. It might be worth interrogating your (obviously very strong) feelings about it a bit.

PrestonsFlowers · 03/03/2019 17:53

I have two beautiful boxers, I love them dearly, they are part of my family life. They keep me company when I'm home alone. They are fabulous guard dogs, well one of them is a bit thick but they can really bark. I also have two grandsons and a DIL who is frightened of dogs. When they visit the dogs are kept away from the children and are in another room. I never leave them alone together ever. Although I love my dogs they are animals and must be treated as such. Small children and dogs are not a good mix.

MichonnesBBF · 03/03/2019 17:54

@TacoLover

After reading the full thread OP, I can completely agree with what you are saying, sorry you are getting such a hard time and that your post has been twisted, confused and misunderstood from some.

Original poster
TacoLover · 03/03/2019 17:56

Basically I’m saying statements like that make no sense if you really think about them, so why not call them on it at the time...

I did. They didn't listen. I'm a dog hater apparently and animal abuser apparentlyConfused they didn't think the same when their baby got scratched in the face thoughAngry

And you believed that?

There have been posts on this thread I'm pretty sure saying that the dog is just as important as their kids. And I've actuslly met pet owners saying they love them more than their kids. It's not that hard to believe. I mean, not for this couple anyway, their guinea pig had its own room believe it or notGrin

OP posts:
SileneOliveira · 03/03/2019 17:57

I think people who give animals as much or more importance than humans are quite unhinged.

PurpleDaisies · 03/03/2019 17:58

I mean, not for this couple anyway, their guinea pig had its own room believe it or not

What’s wrong with that? If you’ve got space, who’s to say that’s any different to a games room or a study?

Original poster
TacoLover · 03/03/2019 17:58

Regardless of whether you're BU, this is such an odd thing to get in a tizz about (I can quickly think of a few more worthy things...) - as ultimately it boils down to love. You might not understand or agree with those people who have a deep and sustaining love for their animals - and equate that love for whatever reason to familial love - but why let it make you angry?

RTFT. I didn't say dogs couldn't be part of the family. And I 'get in a tizz' because in some cases children are hurt due to this problem(which you would see if you rtft)

OP posts:
Prequelle · 03/03/2019 17:59

Who prioritises dogs over children? Because I don't know anyone who prioritises their dog over their own child

If you're saying that they prioritise their dog over someone else's child well of course they will. My dog has gotten me through some of the worst times of my life. Without him I would likely be dead.

mimibunz · 03/03/2019 17:59

OP looking for a row?

FriendOrFaux · 03/03/2019 17:59

I have a dog whom I love dearly.
However, it's not the same as the love I have for my children.

I am guilty of baby talk to my Ddog though.
I have also called him son on occasion. Blush

QueenieMum · 03/03/2019 18:00

If you want to know why people think you're being goady then read your OP and first few responses - they read like generalisations. You could have used the guinea pig and dog & new baby people as specific examples for your argument. Instead it comes across as inflammatory and ill thought-out.

Oh, and don't post here expecting people to agree with you and get pissy when they don't.

Original poster
TacoLover · 03/03/2019 18:00

What’s wrong with that? If you’ve got space, who’s to say that’s any different to a games room or a study?

I mentioned it because you seemed doubtful that their love for a guinea pig could transcend the love they have for their children. And I guess it could put it into context for you when I say that the children shared a room. Probably should have included that in my previous postGrin

OP posts:
Mamaisamermaid · 03/03/2019 18:01

There are significant differences between humans and
dogs. I wouldn't let my kids near a dog as they're both health
and danger hazards, trained or not.

Dog ownership does have benefits, but
it's not as beneficial to the world in comparison to a kid.
Kids (usually) grow into far more intelligent beings than
dogs ever will be, and I therefore will always put any
human being over any dog.

I don't blame people for getting rid of dogs if the dog
doesn't suite their lifestyle, a dog shouldn't take priority
over someones life. People change, life changes. That
is a genuine reason not to want a dog or to get rid
of them. Live your life. If someone finds out they don't
like their dog being in their life anymore, that's a genuine
reason to get rid of them.

I don't blame you for feeling
the way you feel. You have genuine reasons for feeling
that way.

Yanbu

Prequelle · 03/03/2019 18:01

My tortoise has her own room. You know why? Because they need lots of space and exercise. She needs lots of fresh produce so has a mini fridge in there. It's called being a good pet owner.

Seriously should we all do the minimum to please the 'pets aren't family' brigade.

Houseonahill · 03/03/2019 18:01

I have a dog and a child and my dog is amazing and I love him and would do what I could to protect him and keep him safe but if it came down to save my dog or save my child it's not even a contest.

Streamingbannersofdawn · 03/03/2019 18:01

I have literally never seen anyone on here or in real life say that their dog is more important than their own children.

More important than other people's children yes but their own. You are being silly.

Now, if dog needs a walk and it means I can't take the children to their friends until later then the dog comes first but I am of the opinion that the children in this scenario will live.

Prequelle · 03/03/2019 18:04

^I don't blame people for getting rid of dogs if the dog
doesn't suite their lifestyle^

That's nice. It's a shame that thousands of animals that once enjoyed a loving home life end up confused and scared, locked in a cement cell then killed because of people who think animals are disposable to suit their 'lifestyle'.

Original poster
TacoLover · 03/03/2019 18:05

If you want to know why people think you're being goady then read your OP and first few responses - they read like generalisations. You could have used the guinea pig and dog & new baby people as specific examples for your argument. Instead it comes across as inflammatory and ill thought-out. Oh, and don't post here expecting people to agree with you and get pissy when they don't.

In what way are they generalisations?

I used the guinea pig and baby as specific examplesConfused I didn't say that all dog owners say that they are the same as children. I honestly haven't made any generalisations.

And where have I gotten pissy because people disagree? I am frustrated not because of people disagreeing, but because people are twisting my words and making up things I said without even reading the full thread, which isn't long at all. People are making out as if I said that dogs aren't as good as children or that dogs can't be part of the family. People are completely twisting my posts.

OP posts:
Whatsforu · 03/03/2019 18:06

Strangely enough I was discussing this subject with a friend recently. I have dogs and other animals and class myself as an animal lover. However I would not put my animals before my kids in any circumstance. I get where you are coming from op.

Costacoffeeplease · 03/03/2019 18:06

Was it your child that was hurt? No? Then fuck all to do with you

Here’s a grip, maybe go and find something worthwhile to worry about?

Calvinsmam · 03/03/2019 18:07

Of course you were being goady.
You can backtrack all you like and pretend you were only talking about some specific extreme case (that probably didn’t happen) all you like.

Threads like this are so hurtful to people who can’t have children so have chosen to have a dog instead.

We are aware that our dogs aren’t children, we got the memo.

BUT

They fill a void in our lives and give us a reason to keep going. They give us unconditional love and we have a bond with them as strong as you could wish for.

We really don’t need a load of sneery people going on and on about how we are ‘unhinged’ and that you don’t really experience true love until you have a child.

It’s cruel, and it’s been done to death on this board.

Neckercheiftheif · 03/03/2019 18:08

I’m an animal lover and a vegetarian but I would never ever prioritise my pets before my child. Never.

I would banish all the pets in the world if I had to, for my child. And for anyone else’s child!

How can say they care for their bloody guinea pig MORE THAN SOMEONE’S CHILD???!!! Shock

Original poster
TacoLover · 03/03/2019 18:09

My tortoise has her own room. You know why? Because they need lots of space and exercise. She needs lots of fresh produce so has a mini fridge in there. It's called being a good pet owner. Seriously should we all do the minimum to please the 'pets aren't family' brigade.

Have you read my posts? I mentioned the room because another poster was doubtful that the owners could love their guinea pig more than their children. And I also mentioned in a subsequent post that the children share a room, whilst the guinea pig has its own. Also, guinea pig needs are in no way the same as a tortoise'sConfused

I've also never said that pets aren't part of the family.

I have literally never seen anyone on here or in real life say that their dog is more important than their own children.
Well you're luckier than I am then

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 03/03/2019 18:10

And I guess it could put it into context for you when I say that the children shared a room. Probably should have included that in my previous post

It is odd that you didbt think to mention that. Hmm