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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

And so it begins (lockdown puppies)

310 replies

Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 12:36

I’ve seen two posts this week on local Facebook/Nextdoor groups of

“Does anyone fancy walking my dog. Back to work for us etc etc”.

Quite obviously asking for someone to walk for them for free, not asking for a dog walker

I have been quite a defender on posts about lockdown dogs etc, hoping that the majority of people wouldn’t be so stupid as to get a dog with no forward planning at all - but I’m now seeing my hope was misplaced.

Not quite sure what my Aibu is - but seen yet another post today (by a teacher no less - so they were always going back to the “office”) and it’s pissed me off.

So I suppose Aibu to say - don’t get a dog if you have no plan on how to look after it when you go back to work.

OP posts:
LimitIsUp · 06/03/2021 12:38

Do it!

lightand · 06/03/2021 12:39

YANBU. I get your point. But also, there have been people who have been told they can work from home forever, and this may not now be the case.

Original poster
Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 12:41

@lightand fair enough - though as I say, one I saw today was a teacher (and prompted me to post).

OP posts:
LimitIsUp · 06/03/2021 12:43

I really doubt there are many people who have been told that they can work from home 'forever'

MoiraNotRuby · 06/03/2021 12:44

I agree with you. Although there is maybe a small chance that they have enough plans for 'normal times' and are arranging extra attention for resettling for a couple of weeks....

Before lockdown my dog was happy being left for 3 hours now and then, but I will build back up to this gradually if I ever need to.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 06/03/2021 12:46

Would wind me up too.

I imagine lots will end up having to be rehomed or taken to shelters like so many who started as Christmas gifts or weren’t wanted when children came along.

Fairyliz · 06/03/2021 12:47

Although to be fair I’m retired and would like a dog, but I’m a bit wary about being tied if I want to go away.
So I would love to have part ownership of a dog, taking it for walks having it around the house for companionship, but without the food costs vets bills etc.
So anyone living in the Midlands wanting a free dog walker pm me .

Honeybobbin · 06/03/2021 12:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LucilleTheVampireBat · 06/03/2021 12:48

@lightand

YANBU. I get your point. But also, there have been people who have been told they can work from home forever, and this may not now be the case.
Give over.
FenceSplinters · 06/03/2021 12:49

@LimitIsUp my oh has been told that.

RedGoldAndGreene · 06/03/2021 12:49

Yanbu

I've seen the opposite where people who are shielding or self isolating are so embarrassed to need help walking their dogs and offer payment. Luckily there's lots of offers of help from people who want company for their dog or want the novelty of walking a dog daily for 2 weeks. Yes

Justajot · 06/03/2021 12:50

I think you're making a bit of a leap from them asking if anyone wants to walk their dog (like borrow my doggy) to assuming they have no plan or intention to properly care for their dog. They may well intend to get a dog walker, but are just testing the water about a neighbour offering the odd walk.

We can't have a dog as DH refuses. I'd love to be able to borrow a dog for walks.

peak2021 · 06/03/2021 12:50

Unless they are a teacher or someone who has been on furlough, why are they going back to work anyway? Which part of 'work from home if you can' is difficult for their employer to understand?

Though that is just when they have the issue, not if, and they should not have had a dog if it could not be cared for when they returned to a physical office.

Original poster
Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 12:54

The thing with them is that you see very one replying with “use Borrow my Dog” which is fine for the odd walk but isn’t an alternative to having an actual paid dog walker.

Before I got my dog I walked dogs on BMD - and it was astounding how entitled some of the people could be “oh can you pick him up at 8am as have to go to work” erm no - you drop him off.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 12:56

@Justajot

I think you're making a bit of a leap from them asking if anyone wants to walk their dog (like borrow my doggy) to assuming they have no plan or intention to properly care for their dog. They may well intend to get a dog walker, but are just testing the water about a neighbour offering the odd walk.

We can't have a dog as DH refuses. I'd love to be able to borrow a dog for walks.

Why would you “test the water”? If you’re going back to work full time - you literally need a dog walker. It’s not really a choice is it?
OP posts:
Stellaris22 · 06/03/2021 12:57

YANBU. People don't factor in the accumulated costs of owning a dog. Daycare and dog walkers are part of the cost for lots of people, if people buy dogs before considering this then expect free care from friends, then it's ridiculous.

I had someone who kept asking if I could look after her dog 1-2 times a week as she clearly didn't consider the cost, eventually I started refusing as it was getting cheeky.

bigbluebus · 06/03/2021 13:03

Just post a list for of ads for local paid for dog walking services. I'm assuming these same people aren't going to post requests for people to entertain their pre school children for free - they'd find a nursery/childminder. The need to find paid care for their 'fur babies ' too!

sherrystrull · 06/03/2021 13:07

I don't get the problem with it being a teacher. If they've worked remotely since Christmas and are now going into school, what's the problem?

Original poster
Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 13:11

@sherrystrull my point was that - it’s not someone who thought they’d maybe continue to wfh forever.
The other two I’ve seen I don’t know what they do for a living (obviously most people won’t write that on a fb post about walking their dog).

OP posts:
Mindymomo · 06/03/2021 13:18

What I see is how long can I leave my dog and would my dog be ok to be left for 12 hours. It really gets me. We always wanted a dog but waited until I retired to get one.

FoxyTheFox · 06/03/2021 13:18

Have they specifically said they're not going to pay the person walking the dog? To me, looking for a dog walker is part of responsible ownership. It's making sure the dog has someone coming in to take it for exercise and give it some company while the owner is at work, much better than it being alone for 6+ hours.

I really doubt there are many people who have been told that they can work from home 'forever'

DH employer has just worked out a pay offer that includes two days of home working each week for every employee and more by request, DH is going to be asking for one day in the office and four at home.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 06/03/2021 13:24

There are probably a lot of people who have been told they can WFH more - but far fewer who have been told 'Yes you can WFH full time', have bought a puppy on the strength of that, only for their employer to perform a complete u-turn before restrictions have even been lifted.

NotQuiteUsual · 06/03/2021 13:25

The amount of 7-9 month old puppies looking for their 'forever homes' local to me is so depressing. Poor little puppies have done nothing wrong, but now schools are back they've served thier purpose so off they go. The worst was a 4 month old puppy, apparently they didn't have the time anymore, only two months after buying it!!

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 06/03/2021 13:26

@sherrystrull

I don't get the problem with it being a teacher. If they've worked remotely since Christmas and are now going into school, what's the problem?
The problem is that they clearly haven't factored in how to care for their new puppy when they go back.
skodadoda · 06/03/2021 13:26

People who bought dogs when wfh should perhaps have asked themselves why they hadn’t previously had a dog.