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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be upset that my water for the dogs was taken.....

78 replies

DumbestBlonde · 14/08/2021 21:13

I KNOW it is so trivial - but I do get sad quite easily these days.....

I have been leaving out water - just next to my low waall - for passing dogs. On really hot days, I put ice in it as well..... For weeks, it has been fine - and I know there is one particular dog who has come to expect it (his elderly owner sometimes has a break, sitting on the wall....).
It is just something I like to do.
I used a standard dog bowl from the start but a few days ago, "upgraded" to a pottery mixing bowl in the shape of a heart. This meant I could put more water out, and it didn't get empited by the first one to take a drink. (The bowl wasn't precious.)
A group of children who have been known to both converse with, and taunt, me have reappeared after a trip away - although I am not accusing (hmmm) - and now the bowl has been tipped over and disappeared.
I know I am being pathetic, but am really sad (although dare not be, even if I knew for sure the kids had done it). I think I just need to have a bit of a rant.

Yes, I know it's trivial - and I do have a bit of "a life" (although cannot read the thread that is titiled "Life worth living?") - but as a person who does appreciate the smaller things in life, the downside is that smaller things can be upsetting too.

OP posts:

godmum56 · 14/08/2021 22:03

@PheasantsNest

That's really mean. Just to note you should never put ice in the water. It can make their body temperature rise to compensate for the coldness.

not true www.snopes.com/fact-check/dogs-and-ice-water/

ErrolTheDragon · 14/08/2021 22:05

YANBU to be a upset by this meanness.
I agree a plastic tub would be a good idea. Maybe write 'For thirsty dogs' on it so it's not mistaken for rubbish.

There's a walk we sometimes do which goes through a static caravan park; someone leaves a tub plus several bottles of water. Nearby there's a hill with a great view - one hot summer someone was lugging a few gallon containers of water up and leaving them in a shady spot. Very welcome on a warm day, there's no streams in that area.

Hopeisnotastrategy · 14/08/2021 22:07

You sound like a lovely person OP. I'm sure several pets and their owners have appreciated your thoughtfulness.

Nihil carborundum illegitimi. As others have said, find a cheap tub and keep on doing it anyway..💐

MrsCopperfield · 14/08/2021 22:09

Just to say dogs can choke on ice cubes. But it's nice of you to put the water out.

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 14/08/2021 22:09

This reminds me of when I left out one of those charity bags for collection and they also took my garden ornament that was next to it. I felt a bit guilty for being peeved over something so trivial, but I was peeved nonetheless!

ParadiseLaundry · 14/08/2021 22:10

You sound so lovely and caring Op. I'm so sorry other people are such arseholes .

MariposaLilly · 14/08/2021 22:10

That's a lovely thing to do for dogs and allowing us older folks to sit on your wall is really, really nice.

My dogs love ice cubes in the summer. I call them really low calorie doggie snacks.

newnortherner111 · 14/08/2021 22:14

Get the police involved, even if it is just to record the crime. Builds up a pattern and if you had a fortnight with no issues, it blatantly looks like them.

Pity the dog could not have diarrhoea on your neighbour's lawn over the time they were away.

groundcontroltomontydon · 14/08/2021 22:19

Taking the bowl was mean and pathetic - yanbu to be upset. (Putting water out for dogs is one of those little acts of real kindness that makes me feel a bit more cheerful about life, the universe and everything.)

Grapewrath · 14/08/2021 22:20

Op you sound lovely and I’m so sorry that people have brought your neighbours up to be spiteful and unkind.
From what you’ve said, their behaviour sounds anti social in general as they are likely attention seeking due to having in attentive parents. Could you report them to their housing provider or local pcso?

Hankunamatata · 14/08/2021 22:21

Get plastic container with handle and bike lock to gate. Bloody sad you have to do these things

Blossomtoes · 14/08/2021 22:21

@Happymum12345

Please bother-it’s people like you that make the world a better place. Thank you & I’m sorry for what has happened.

This. You sound like such a lovely person.

I, however, am not - would you like me to come and deal with the kids for you. I’d really enjoy it.

Novelusername · 14/08/2021 22:24

Living in a shitty area can really drag you down when you have to deal with anti-social behaviour like this. Been there and I feel for you, OP. This is obviously part of a bigger problem, any chance you can move?

Cherrypies · 14/08/2021 22:30

@GoodnightGrandma

It’s a lovely gesture, but I don’t let my dog drink from a communal bowl as they can catch kennel cough from them.

I agree, I wouldn't let my dogs drink from it either, I know the op is doing a nice thing, and from a sweet heart. But who knows who is watching, especially as the neighbours are nasty, they could put a liquid in it, say brake fluid that is sweet to animals, when the op is not looking, and guess who will get the blame. Maybe I am cynical in my old age, but there are some very dodgy odd people out there. My gorgeous Irish setter died from poisoning, possibly picked up something poisoned for foxes. Remember the cat stabber too.

2389Champ · 14/08/2021 22:30

Thank you SO much for this kindness. It is truly appreciated by every decent dog owner.

There is someone who lives near me who also does the same. My dog really loves it at this time of year and it’s become a regular pit stop for her on her walks.

Sadly, there’s always a small number of numb skulls around who seem to get pathetic pleasure from ruining things but generally, most people are decent. Xx

Junipersky · 14/08/2021 22:30

I'm on the 3rd bowl in a matter of weeks. The other two went walkabout.

MyCatIsAFuckwit · 14/08/2021 22:35

You sound lovely, I wish you where my neighbour. ❤

stayathomer · 14/08/2021 22:35

I wish your neighbours would move out op. Such a pity! And please dont let it make you feel like the world is awful, there's loads of lovely people like you!!

Deedoubleyou · 14/08/2021 22:36

@Fitschkels

I haven’t got any advice but what a lovely sweet person you are. The world needs more of you. Xx

Agreed

Muma1992 · 14/08/2021 22:40

You do know that doys can pass on infections/parasites by sharing bowls with doggy strangers, right?

Would you share water from a communal cup on the street?

A lovely gesture, but I try to avoid my dog drinking from anywhere other dogs have had their faces, where can be avoided within reason of course (he is still a dog)

Blossomtoes · 14/08/2021 22:48

My dog drinks from puddles and the river. I have no idea how I could stop her.

ScribblingPixie · 14/08/2021 22:50

There is a woman who does this - puts a bowl of water out for dogs - on a street in my area and we have come to depend on it, when the sun comes out unexpectedly we divert to it as our dog is elderly and overheats easily. She does it every day without fail, in fact probably several times a day, and we really appreciate her kindness. We even have a nickname for the drink stop. I'm sure lots of other people feel the same way about you OP, which is the bigger picture.

Greenmarmalade · 14/08/2021 22:51

How lovely of you to think of your neighbourhood dogs

toocold54 · 14/08/2021 23:04

YANBU it really annoys me that you can’t even leave a bowl out without it getting nicked.
It makes it better that it’s probably just kids being annoying but I’d still upset and annoyed over it.

Cherrypies · 14/08/2021 23:09

On long walks, I always take a rucksack, with bottled water and a small bowl, not very heavy at all.

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