For thinking my neighbours should not be buying her dog birthday presents ?

[DewdropSnowdrop]

I love animals , I really do. I had a dog and one day I hope to have another, so it's not that I don't understand animals are part of a family. They are.

But yesterday was. my neighbours dogs birthday. She's put it on Facebook. The dog was given wrapped gifts. A toy and some edible treats, as far as I can see.

She has a family, so not child substitutes. She treats her dogs well and isn't short of money so it's not as if she's saving up.

She's always celebrated the dogs' birthdays, there's more than one!

But this must be unusual. What is the point?

I get Mother's Day cards and gifts from mine too 🤷🏻‍♀️

@DewdropSnowdrop

Oh good grief. You are all taking this much too seriously.

Neighbour is great. I thought she was bonkers but it's obviously a real thing to wrap pets gifts.

My dog was obviously deprived.

I think it’s bonkers to own a dog and only now realise that it’s nice to buy them gifts, tbh.

I hope you aren't talking about my DSil who has just celebrated her youngest dog's birthday!
My DSil is lovely, very kind & generous to everyone human or animal.
I get my DCat a birthday & Christmas gift, she's one of the family.

We had a birthday party for the cat so nurrr.

I’m with you OP, your neighbour and some of the posters on here are as mad as a box of frogs. It’s all part of life’s rich pageant I guess so as they’re happy, and heaven knows we all need a bit of happiness this year, we’d best leave them to it.

What a strange thread. I get my cats birthday pressies. Why not? I love them. It's harming nobody.

Did it cost you anything?

No

Did it personally affect you?

No

It has nothing to do with you. Yabu

And no one tell my cats they’re missing out or there’ll be hell to pay!

If it was good enough for Blue Peter it's good enough for me!

I dont think it's unusual at all and your neighbour sounds lovely. Why not celebrate the birthday of a loved companion?

My DCat even gets a chorus of Happy Birthday on her birthday!

I have a dog and buy him a couple of new toys and treats for his birthday and Christmas, and I do wrap them because he has the best time ripping up wrapping paper! I don’t for a second think that he knows it’s his birthday or Christmas, but I do know that he has the best fun doing it and parading around with his new ‘treasures’!

It’s not hurting anyone else, and it’s also nobody else’s business frankly. If their dog had fun and the family enjoyed it I see absolutely no problem with it.

Just because something isn’t ‘necessary’ doesn’t mean it’s not fun

@Tigerty

I’m with you OP, your neighbour and some of the posters on here are as mad as a box of frogs. It’s all part of life’s rich pageant I guess so as they’re happy, and heaven knows we all need a bit of happiness this year, we’d best leave them to it.

Adds Tigerty’s name to list of neglectful pet owners for rspca. shakes head sadly 😢

My cat has presents, a fishy cake and a stocking at Christmas.

@DewdropSnowdrop

Whoah! Calm down.

Nothing to do with me at all but every year I'm baffled.

I didn't think it was 'a thing' to wrap gifts for a pet who can open them and has no concept of birthdays!

Maybe I should have changed the wording on post

Most of Mumsnet buy their pets gifts?

Yes. 😁 I think it was not the best idea to word it you think your neighbour should not buy her dog birthday presents.

I buy my dogs a new toy on their birthdays (when I remember) Dont wrap them up or put photos on fb though !
If it was a birthday party, lots of wrapped gifts then yes I'd think that a bit ott but basically if it makes them happy....

rosiethehen

we throw Catnip parties.

21 year old Dcat (now sadly passed) loved partying with a bunch of kittens on her birthday

I didn't think it was 'a thing' to wrap gifts for a pet who can open them and has no concept of birthdays!
You could be talking about every first birthday I've ever been to. Kid wouldn't have a clue what's going on and are never going to remember the day. 🤣

Anyway, 2 dogs, a few kids and we celebrate all birthdays. Every person and dog gets cake and presents in our house. The kids tease me that the dogs are treated way better and, sometimes, they may be right. They probably get more presents 🤣

I love animals , I really do. I had a dog and one day I hope to have another, so it's not that I don't understand animals are part of a family. They are.

Well, you see some people would be just as "baffled" at that as you are about presents for pets.

But yesterday was. my neighbours dogs birthday. She's put it on Facebook. The dog was given wrapped gifts. A toy and some edible treats, as far as I can see.

Shame you weren't invited - you could have found out more!

She has a family, so not child substitutes.

We can only thank God for that! Couldn't have a woman without children finding happiness in a way that might "baffle" people

She treats her dogs well

No need to call the RSPCA then - that's good news!

and isn't short of money so it's not as if she's saving up.

Not sure how you are privy to that, but if true I am glad she's comfortably off.

She's always celebrated the dogs' birthdays, there's more than one!

She sounds very caring treating them all equally - she could scarcely play favourites could she?!

But this must be unusual.

It's not. As can be seen from this thread.

What is the point?

If you had to imagine answering someone who asked YOU what the point of YOU having a dog is and why you see them as one of the family YOURSELF (see your OP) you may find your answer!!

Good luck in your journey of understanding...

Dewdrop are you upset because your neighbour didnt get a present for your b/day.

Oh, and yes. My cat gets Christmas presents wrapped up and put under the tree.
Last year it was catnip spray, some cat treats, a pack of sardine toys and a new water and food bowl holder. 😁

My neighbour threw a birthday party for her dog yesterday, she asked me if I was coming.

I said don't be so fucking ridiculous of course I'm not coming. My cat is getting married!

@Oliversmumsarmy

rosiethehen

we throw Catnip parties.

21 year old Dcat (now sadly passed) loved partying with a bunch of kittens on her birthday

Your cat sounded like a true party animal 🐾😍

@AWiseWomanOnceSaidFuckThisShit

My neighbour threw a birthday party for her dog yesterday, she asked me if I was coming.

I said don't be so fucking ridiculous of course I'm not coming. My cat is getting married!

Why is it pointless? Dogs get as much enjoyment out of treats and presents as people, probably even more - my dog relishes ripping open his Christmas gifts then playing with them. Why are they not deserving of joy and fun just because they don’t understand the occasion? Hope you never get a pet OP.

Ummmm..... we have a birthday in our house today......