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Original poster

to think owning a dog is selfish?

222 replies

hannadashery · 13/09/2019 16:04

...with the exception of working dogs or as companions for retired people.

The majority of dog owners work, so in a 24 hour period in which their owner spends the majority of time sleeping or at work, a dog will be very lucky to get 3hrs walking a day and will probably spend the rest of the time bored/sleeping.

I don't believe dogs enjoy Netflix programs and highly doubt their owners are constantly hugging/petting them every evening. It feels that dogs sole purpose is to pad out that free time the owners have in between all their other activities. And sure dogs love their owners because who's going to hate the person that feeds them and provides temporary reprieve from absolute boredom.

Expecting an absolute flaming as so many people own dogs but from a non pet owners perspective it seems majority of dogs are basically slaves and are blissfully ignorant of their predicament.

Just thought I'd throw that as a light-hearted discussion on a Friday afternoon Smile

OP posts:
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goodwinter · 13/09/2019 16:38

You're making ridiculous generalisations.

I work from home when my partner is working daytime shifts so someone is always with the dog. If one of us has to travel for work, the other one books time off to stay at home. We go to dog-friendly bars and restaurants. He is never, ever left alone for more than 4 hours.

He gets endless fuss and cuddles with us on the sofa and even sleeps in bed with us most nights (leaving us very little room 😬)

What's selfish about that?

Lovemusic33 · 13/09/2019 16:38

I don’t actually know many people that work full time that have dogs, if they do work they tend to get a dog walker. I wouldn’t get a dog whilst working full time, I do think you have a point OP.

longwayoff · 13/09/2019 16:39

Call me selfish if you like but I'm not giving up dog friend for anyone. Just bought an extra wide armchair so he can sit alongside me instead of actually on me. He likes Netflix, plenty of animals for him to growl at and warn off.

ImNotYourGranny · 13/09/2019 16:39

I forgot to say, neither will go out if it's raining, windy or cold.

goodwinter · 13/09/2019 16:40

Actually to add to my earlier post, I guess it's "selfish" in that we got him because we knew he would bring us joy. Then again he's a rescue who came to the RSPCA injured and nearly dying, so we feel we've given him a second chance in a selfless way too - he's slightly facially disfigured due to his injuries, and also fairly old, so not the typical dog that everyone would be falling over themselves to adopt.

bombomboobah · 13/09/2019 16:40

the benefits of dog ownership are to the dog owner and the dog, many of the costs are 'outsourced' and borne by other people.
By which I mean the general nuisance of dog mess, dog attacks, and having animals in public places getting in the way and inconveniencing people.
Appreciate the majority of dog owners are responsible, but many are not and they are problematic for everyone else.

StillMedusa · 13/09/2019 16:41

My dog is never left alone.. my son is with her when I'm at work and I'm with her when he is! She has the company of of 6 adults in the home, two-three walks a day, and training class at the weekends, food, love and company on tap.
I'm not sure what the alternative is, but the love she brings has transformed my family, especially my youngest adult son who has autism. He has learned to care for her and in return he has someone who doesn't care that he is different. His mental health has improved massively since we got her.

If that makes me selfish.. I'll live with the label thanks!

*on the other hand the cats... well yeah they are definitely slaves unaware of their predicament. I mean, they could go off and live a wild free life... but they seem to prefer coming home and demanding Dreamies...

tabbycat985 · 13/09/2019 16:41

I'm only here to see all the dog photos that are going to be posted!
Although I have a wonderful rehomed chihuahua who sleeps roughly 23 hours of the day & I don't feel a slight bit selfish for having her in my life.
@CuriousaboutSamphire That is a beauty of a puppy, those muddy paws😂

BoomyBooms · 13/09/2019 16:41

Of course we have pets for our benefit, surely that's what the whole concept of a pet is?

I can tell you're not a pet owner though because if you were you'd know that most breeds of dog love nothing more than a solid 12 hours of daytime sleep in a warm comfy bed, lovely meals, central heating and fires to enjoy, and tonnes of fuss and attention from their owners. Walks as much as possible (but he refuses to go when it's cold or rainy anyway) My dog gets the best of everything. I'd actually quite like to have his life so I really can't imagine he's complaining!

berlinbabylon · 13/09/2019 16:42

I think you are right OP - nobody has a dog for the dog's benefit. Even if you rescue a dog, it was still destined to be a pet, unless it's a retired working dog that needs looking after.

Same goes for any pet, mind you.

Fuma · 13/09/2019 16:46

Yeah, the whole concept of pets is a bit weird really. They're only alive so that they can be pets.

BoomyBooms · 13/09/2019 16:47

@bombomboobah the impact on other people is an interesting point, because yes I do appreciate that if my dog were barky I'd probably love him anyway and that cost would be 'borne' by my neighbours. Likewise people that don't pick up properly or control their dogs around others. However couldn't you say that's true about all sorts of things people choose to do? For example driving, gets the owner where they need to go but we all bear the costs of air pollution and noise. Or smoking, others bear the cost of the smell and the litter. Drinking- others bear the cost of noise, rowdy people, vomit on the streets the next day (!!). So maybe we should all just be a bit more empathetic and responsible.

MidCenturyVintageWoman · 13/09/2019 16:48

I agree with you OP. I'm a dog lover and have had dogs all my life and I often try to talk people out of having a dog as they are just too selfish and busy to look after one properly. It upsets me that so many people get a dog because they like the idea of one but quickly get bored with the responsibility. Just like most people, most domestic dogs are overfed and under-exercised.

Fuma · 13/09/2019 16:49

I mean, pet owners categorise themselves as " animal lovers", because they own a member of another species. Like, I wouldn't categorise myself as a humanitarian because I owned a person. It's all a bit mad.

ThirstyGhost · 13/09/2019 16:50

Expecting an absolute flaming as so many people own dogs but from a non pet owners perspective it seems majority of dogs are basically slaves and are blissfully ignorant of their predicament.

Ooh, maybe it's like a dog version of "The Matrix" and one of the dogs will eat the wrong colour of kibble and suddenly realise.

Right I'm off to start a thread where I ask if I'm being unreasonable to assume that all giant pandas are lazy cnuts, because you gotta pass the time somehow, eh OP.

OrchidInTheSun · 13/09/2019 16:51

Someone ought to tell my dog he's only supposed to sleep 12 hours a day. He often goes to bed before I do and frequently gets up after me!

Kahlua4me · 13/09/2019 16:51

I think my dog has a fab life, so it’s not selfish having him living with us.

Here is a general day for him-
7am dd feeds him his breakfast and he then snuggles with her on the sofa.
7.30am DS takes him for a walk, at least half hour sometimes longer.
8.30am he gets comfy on sofa in our office, occasionally getting up to see people if they come over or to chase birds in the garden, spends the day with us.
2pm our elderly neighbour comes and dognaps him to go for a long walk.
4pm kids home from school so play in the garden with him
6pm dd feeds him tea
7pm DS walks him again
8pm to bedtime snuggles with us on the sofa watching tv.

Not a bad life and he doesn’t seem to mind 😁😁

Hirsutefirs · 13/09/2019 16:53

Being a dog is just a tax evasion dodge!

to think owning a dog is selfish?
Streamingbannersofdawn · 13/09/2019 16:54

Looks at dog, flopped in his favourite spot after massive walk. Sleek, muscular, shiny coat...

Yep I'm a selfish cow...but we run along together pretty well.

Alittleodd · 13/09/2019 16:54

My dog had a terrible day today. Just look at his face. He hates his life. It's pure misery.

He was woken up by my husband and given breakfast. He then played in the garden with my son before bounding upstairs to jump on the bed and attack my hair brush while I was getting dressed.

He had to be on his own for a whole 20 minutes while I did the school run and then had a tortuous hour long ramble on the heath (although, I will admit that did take him over his reccomended exercise limit for the day). He hated snuggling on my lap for an hour and a half having his tummy rubbed and being told he was the best doggo in the world.

Playing fetch in the afternoon absolutely sucked for him and he hated the walk to pick my son up. He's currently having a dreadful time with a rawhide chew out in the sunshine. And he will continue to have an awful time all evening while he cuddles up on the sofa between me and my husband.

It is truly awful for an animal to have warmth, shelter, enough to eat and readily available love and affection. Absolutely terrible.

We're monsters.

to think owning a dog is selfish?
CuriousaboutSamphire · 13/09/2019 16:55

Thanks @tabbycat985 He's 10 months old and growing.

@Hirsutefirs - Grin

goodwinter · 13/09/2019 16:56

I mean, pet owners categorise themselves as " animal lovers", because they own a member of another species. Like, I wouldn't categorise myself as a humanitarian because I owned a person. It's all a bit mad*

I think you have that backwards! I'm not an animal lover because I have a dog; I got a dog because I love dogs (animals).

supersop60 · 13/09/2019 16:56

Our dog saved our family. I posted on here about DD's MH problems, and that her therapist suggested a dog (against DP's wishes).
Well, we got a dog - DD is no longer suicidal, or covers herself up in men's hoodies and sweatpants. She has a boyfriend and a job, and the whole family is lighter of heart and spirit.
Dog just needs food, exercise, play and cuddles. He gets all of those in abundance and gratitude.

corythatwas · 13/09/2019 16:58

No. Children grow up to become largely tax paying citizens who fund public services which benefit me and the rest of society.

So your definition of selfishness is something that doesn't benefit you. Sounds...errr...very selfless. Hmm

TheCatsACunt · 13/09/2019 17:00

I don’t understand your argument at all.

You think that having a dog is selfish because you assume that everyone works all the time and leaves the dog alone to watch Netflix, but having a child is ok because they will benefit you through their taxes when they grow up?

You’re saying that having children isn’t selfish because it benefits you?

That’s the very definition of selfish.

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