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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:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 03/03/2019 19:25

This is why this thread was always going to get geared, because yes, TheWaiting, people feel like that.

Limensoda · 03/03/2019 19:25

If someone saved their dog from a fire and let my child burn I think I would hunt them down and strangle them.
WTF is wrong with people? I get that people love their dog but there's something seriously wrong if they would put the dog before a child's life.

Calvinsmam · 03/03/2019 19:28

If someone saved their dog from a fire and let my child burn I think I would hunt them down and strangle them.

Seriously in what situation would that ever ever happen?

You’re getting upset about nothing.

Original poster
TacoLover · 03/03/2019 19:29

Then take it up with the negligent parents, fuck all anyone here can do

That's a bit of a ridiculous point. There's fuck all that anyone can do for most threads on here, does that mean they shouldn't exist? This is a discussion forum. If you don't want to discuss this topic then leave.

Which was the exact reaction that you were looking for.
I doubt you've read all of my posts. Have you missed the point if my thread?

I've never said that you can't love a dog or that it can't be part of your family.
I've never said that you can't call your dog your baby.
I've never said that dogs are not as good as children.
I have said that it's ridiculous to think dogs should be treated the same as your own children or to prioritise your dog over your children. If you think I am trying to provoke or that I am being intentionally goady then you are free to report me to MNHQ.

This isn't about a recent thread, btw. I saw the thread that I think you're talking about but this thread is mostly from real life conversations I've had.

Where have you seen someone saying they would save their dog before their own child OP? Link needed otherwise it didn't happen.

Read all my posts.

OP posts:
thesnapandfartisinfallible · 03/03/2019 19:29

If it was my child and my dog. I'd save my child of course. If it was my dog and someone I didn't know? I'd save my dog first. Almost everyone would save their own family before a stranger. Dogs and humans are both social animals so we prioritise those close to us.

Prequelle · 03/03/2019 19:30

You would be entitled to feel angry, sad and appalled limen.

But I'm sorry, I'm saving my dog - who has saved my life and an emotional attachment to - rather than a random child. If I'm going to risk my life I'm going to do it for something/someone I love. People will think I'm a monster for saying that but I don't care. And I wouldn't expect anyone to save my child over their animal either. I would hope with all my heart that they would but I know that you simply cannot stop that love and devotion that you have for your animal and no sense of someone else's entitlement or 'moral duty' can override that

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 03/03/2019 19:31

Quite agree thesnap. But this thread is distasteful. It’s upsettng people.

echt · 03/03/2019 19:32

I've never said that dogs are not as good as children

Yes you did. In you OP: a dog is not the same as a human child!

SardineQueenII · 03/03/2019 19:32

I would save my neighbours kids over my pet as well.

Prepared to be flamed for that. Hopefully not literally.

TheWaiting · 03/03/2019 19:34

I’ve just shown where someone stated they’d save their cat over a child they didn’t know.
Is that any more sane or rational because it’s someone else’s child rather than their own? Maybe; but it’s still a fucking warped viewpoint.

SardineQueenII · 03/03/2019 19:34

Prequelle so you would direct the fire service to your house to get your dog and not mention that the next door neighbours were in and not seen getting out?

Would you lie to the fire service that you had seen next door get out in order to save your pet?

I find attitudes like this very odd I have to say so genuine questions.

If there was a cat that wasn't being fed properly in a house where a child was being prostituted, who would you save?

Prequelle · 03/03/2019 19:36

Don't put words in my mouth Hmm

I'm pretty sure I talked about RISKING MY OWN LIFE not 'directing the fire service' which is a completely different matter altogether and I wouldn't expect anyone to risk their life for my dog. Hmm

Troels · 03/03/2019 19:36

I think dogs are very precious to many people, but I agree they aren't people. Although some dogs think they are.

Prequelle · 03/03/2019 19:37

And what the bloody hell are you talking about some random cat for?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 03/03/2019 19:37

Why can’t you save the prostituted child and the cat? Silly comparison.

Calvinsmam · 03/03/2019 19:37

If there was a cat that wasn't being fed properly in a house where a child was being prostituted, who would you save?

Both of course.

Limensoda · 03/03/2019 19:38

But I'm sorry, I'm saving my dog - who has saved my life and an emotional attachment to - rather than a random child. If I'm going to risk my life I'm going to do it for something/someone I love. People will think I'm a monster for saying that but I don't care

Not a monster....but it's a very sick attitude.
It's fucking selfish.
A dog has a lifespan of about 15 years. A child has approx 80 years. You would deprive a mother and father of their child and future grandchildren. A whole family their child for your dog?
If you did that hope there is a law that would see you in prison.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 03/03/2019 19:38

Why can’t you save both the prostitued child and the cat? Stupid comparison.

Limensoda · 03/03/2019 19:40

Seriously in what situation would that ever ever happen?

In the situation described by posters on here.

Prequelle · 03/03/2019 19:40

linen
I'm not a superhero. I'm not obligated to risk my life for other people. I will risk my life for my loved ones. It's that simple. Lifespan is irrelevant, am I okay saving my dog over a child with a chronic illness that will kill them at age 3? Of course not so why mention the lifespan at all.

And I'll accept your opinion, but don't start throwing personal attacks around

Original poster
TacoLover · 03/03/2019 19:40

Yes you did. In you OP: a dog is not the same as a human child!

Saying they are not the same doesn't mean that one is better than the other. This is in response to the many dog owners who tell me that their children and their dogs are exactly the same and they treat them exactly the same. That was not me saying something like "a bounty bar is good, but its just not the same as a mars bar" it's me saying that they are literally not the same and so should not be treated the same.

OP posts:
Bamchic · 03/03/2019 19:41

If there was a cat that wasn't being fed properly in a house where a child was being prostituted, who would you save?

How utterly ridiculous. Both of course.

Also OP, DH and I decided to get our first dog together when our baby died... our dog saved me she was an incredible soul.

OutOntheTilez · 03/03/2019 19:41

@TacoLover

I get what you’re saying, OP. I’m sorry you’re getting such a hard time Confused

TheWaiting · 03/03/2019 19:41

OMFG, you’re all nuts!

I don’t know anyone or any family who have lost a pet that fall into dysfunction or despair unable to work or stay together as a couple or continue to be good parents to their children. None whose lives effectively ended the day their pet died. Sadness, yes. Grief, yes. A period of mourning, yes. Lasting memories, yes. But never does it rip the very heart and soul from a family. I’ve never seen an 80yr old woman cry inconsolably about the dog she lost 60yrs previously.

How can anyone in good conscience theoretically condemn a family, a mother, to that in order to save their pet?
I’m done.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 03/03/2019 19:42

There should be a law against rescuing your dog? My oh my. Crazy.

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