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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get a tattoo tomorrow

53 replies

Piggleby · 10/12/2019 18:24

Pls be gentle, this my first AIBU (nc from my usual id). So my dog just died today. I sadly don’t have kids and my pets are very much my family. He was only 3 and it was very sudden and unexpected, he hadn’t been ill. This is a major loss for me. I cope with stress by doing things.

I want to get a tattoo, of paw prints and a few other little symbols that link to him, on the inside of my forearm near my elbow, so it would be covered by three-quarter or full-length sleeves.

MN vipers - AIBU to go out and get a tattoo tomorrow, when I’m freshly bereaved and in shock?

Relevant info:

  • I already have 3 tattoos, although all more easily coverable than forearm.
  • I know a good shop/artist, this is not a complicated design, so I feel comfortable trying for a walk-in tomorrow (I know some ppl will say no good shops do walk-ins).
  • This placement is acceptable at my work and quite commonplace in my circles really. Would be under uniform most of the year apart from the three weeks of summer when it’s warm enough for short sleeves. No plans to change jobs, pretty much ever.
  • I’m 37, so not a totally naive and reckless youth.... I do have a spur-of-the-moment breakup tattoo from 15 years ago that I still love.
  • I know paw prints are generic and cliché, don’t care Crown Grin

AIBU to go get inked tomorrow?

OP posts:
Irishgene · 10/12/2019 18:29

Maybe wait a few days to make sure you're sure? Xx

Intruiged · 10/12/2019 18:31

Wait. I have tatoos, so I love them, but better to be sure. Sorry for your loss!

churchandstate · 10/12/2019 18:35

I have one and I got it on a whim/impulse. I wouldn’t get it now. I’d wait.

Dazedandconfused10 · 10/12/2019 18:36

I've got pawprints on my foot. Just do it.

mybabyisteething · 10/12/2019 18:36

As someone with a pawprint tattoo, i say wait.

I am planning to have mine covered up asap because it is on my foot and i dont wear sandals or heels because i hate it so much!

JesusMaryAndJosepheen · 10/12/2019 18:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WiddlinDiddlin · 10/12/2019 18:38

I think I would wait, do you WANT the tattoo to remind you of 'the day after my dog died'.

I had a 2 year old dog drop dead on a walk, and whilst I absolutely never ever want to forget her, I absolutely DO want to forget that day, it was horrific.

But that's me, you may well feel differently and as you already have tattoos you already know all the ins and outs and issues there... so if it feels right, do it.

StillCoughingandLaughing · 10/12/2019 18:40

I’m sorry to hear your news.

My personal view is that, if you need to ask advice on whether you’ll regret this, you’re not sure enough yet. I would wait until it’s less raw.

Tableclothing · 10/12/2019 18:41

I ticked YABU. You don't need to go tomorrow. Make an appointment for a month's time and take more time to refine the design.

Dustarr73 · 10/12/2019 18:41

Theres a tattoo section on Mumsnet,maybe ask there.

Its in teh Body and Soul section

MrOnionsBumperRoller · 10/12/2019 18:53

If the tattoo studio is half way decent they should be booked up for at least the rest of this month so that should give you thinking space. So sorry for your loss Flowers

WorraLiberty · 10/12/2019 18:55

AIBU to go out and get a tattoo tomorrow, when I’m freshly bereaved and in shock?

I think the very fact you typed that means you know you are.

Just wait a while. What's the hurry anyway?

fromthefloorboardsup · 10/12/2019 19:01

I'm sorry about your dog. I have tattoos and I always make myself like a design for a year before I get it so that I know I really want it. I wouldn't personally do this on a whim - I'd wait a bit and see if you still want it in a few months.

Livebythecoast · 10/12/2019 19:06

Personally, I would wait as it's only just happened and you're in shock and sad. It could be a knee jerk reaction.
If you still feel the same in a couple of weeks then do it.
I'm sorry for the loss of your dog Flowers.

PerfectPretender · 10/12/2019 19:08

I have impulse tattoos and don't regret them. However, I think, were I in your position, I'd probably wait. There's no rush, especially with something you can't easily remove or change.

mrsbyers · 10/12/2019 19:36

I got a paw print above my ankle the weekend following my loss - that’s where she used to lay her head , tbh it looks like a kid has done it with a potato stamp but everytime I look at it it makes me smile - I couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks about it.

NoSauce · 10/12/2019 19:41

I’m sorry OP. How sad for you. A tattoo with such meaning won’t be regretted imo.

I would think twice about the paw prints though.

kimlo · 10/12/2019 19:44

I would be more worried about getting an appointment somewhere decent with one days notice than the tattoo.

richteasandcheese · 10/12/2019 19:44

I'm sorry for your loss op. I would wait, and then if you want to get something to symbolise your dog, you can work with a TA to create a beautiful design in memorial. Your body won't respond well to being tattooed when it's under a big shock/grief either - you don't want a bad dose of tattoo flu xx

MistyCloud · 10/12/2019 19:45

So sorry about your dog. Flowers

A few paw prints won't hurt.

But maybe leave it a week?

joggingon · 10/12/2019 19:56

It's a lovely idea but there's no rush. X

joggingon · 10/12/2019 19:57

When is his birthday? It might be nice to get it done then if not too much of a wait.

scaredycatz · 10/12/2019 20:22

I would, sounds nice.

ForalltheSaints · 10/12/2019 20:25

I think wait, perhaps until after Christmas. Sorry to read of the death of your dog.

Veterinari · 10/12/2019 20:38

I would wait only because with time you might think of a more meaningful design. Have a look through some photos/favourite walks for inspiration
Flowers