To be offended by a comment my friend made?

[creamysauce]

Hello :)

So I am getting a gorgeous French Bulldog puppy in a couple of weeks. I was discussing this with a very good friend of mine, about how I'm excited.. yadayada. So I then asked her "Would you ever get a dog or want to own a pet?". She immediately began to burst out laughing and said "No! I want to enjoy my life". A bit I asked "What do you mean by that?"- she then said "As I said it... I want to enjoy my life, owning a pet- particularly a dog, I wouldn't get the spontaneity back, I would be worried about leaving it in the house for too long, paying for this and that, having to take it for walks when I don't feel like it. Sometimes- out of the whim, I just want to book a holiday but with a pet, I will have to think about who is going to take care of it, dog sitters...I may get a cat as they are a bit more independent but still, a pet comes with a lot of responsibility".

I think subconsciously she is trying to sway my decision from getting a pet or do you think she's a tad jealous. I was a bit offended by her comment but she can be very out there/too honest for my liking. What do you all think?

You’re making her comments about you and they’re really not, dogs are a huge responsibility. More so than kids in some ways. Let’s in general are a tie.
I agree with her.

What did you want her to say? Something to reaffirm your choice ( which presumably you’ve thought long and hard about, including all the many many impositions and requirements you will have as a dog owner).

or her honest opinion?

I have 2 dogs. Sometimes I envy those who are able to do spur of the moment things without the planning and cost that this entails.

she is allowed a different opinion to you!

she’s right- I had a dog once, but never again. Like having a permanent toddler that needs attention all the time, and twice as expensive!

@AJ65 You're right - after reading all of the OP's posts, the friend sounds like a much better friend material than the OP does.

She right! Everything she has said and more.

Total agreement from another owner of 2 dogs.

What your friend said is perfectly valid and her own opinion, which you asked for. Of course she isn’t jealous, she’s made it perfectly clear she values different things and she’s being responsible about why it wouldn’t be fair to a pet with her lifestyle.

😂😂😂😂 I have a dog AND a cat and I agree with everything she said 😂😂😂

Nope she’s not jealous, she’s being honest. I love dogs but they’re a big commitment. A friend of mine got a puppy just over a year ago. She can’t even come round to mine for a coffee any more as she won’t leave him home alone - he barks and barks 🙄 So among lots of other reasons, some people see dogs as a bit of a pain! I much prefer my low maintenance cat

It is not just about the dog, is it. She doesnt sound jealous either.

It sounds like both you and your partner frequently make less than good choices and she is trying to steer you to a better decision.

can you walk a dog three times a day every single day? Is that realistic for your household and your current lifestyle?
do you have time to train a dog?
who is putting the deposit into the house you will eventually buy?
why dies your do not pay his rent?

I’m a dog owner. Everything she said is true.

If more people really considered the reality of dog ownership, maybe fewer would end up in rescues.

Also, have you considered the downsides of brachycephalic breeds? They are more prone to serious health issues and compromised welfare.

creamysauce you’re being blinkered into thinking owning a dog is easy! Everything your friend stated is 100% factual and correct. Cannot fault a thing she said.

She’s just being honest and definitely not jealous. We have two rescue dogs, I would never get one from a breeder when there are so many dogs in rescue centres, but that’s just personal choice. They are a big commitment, the insurance, food, I’ve gone part time so as not to leave them alone for long, we take them on holidays and when we visit friends and family. We also have two rescue cats which are much more independent.
on the positive side they bring so much joy.

She's right they are a huge commitment, but wrong to imply you can't 'enjoy' your life if you have one. If you can get someone who loves animals and can step in,you can even be quite spontaneous.
I've had pets all my (long) life and love my cats and rabbit to bits.Now my kids are adult,the animals needs come first here,and I don't regret it for a second.
No I don't think your friend meant anything by it at all,enjoy your dog!

Sounds a good friend to me. But you asked tge question and honestly its exactly what I say when I'm asked if I'll ever get a dog!

I wouldn't worry OP, these poor inbred and deformed fashion accessory dogs rarely survive longer than 3 or 4 years, so no longterm commitment.

You're very strange to react in this manner.

If you want the responsibility of owning a dog, then I admire you and hope that you enjoy things. 🙂
I know I don’t want that responsibility.

Sorry have skimmed through the the posts. If you do come back on please, for the sake of the dog world cancel the order. Yes someone else will no doubt pick it up but as a society we need to stop buying designer dogs! These should be bred. Its soooo unfair!

“I am very very aware of the risks associated with French Bulldogs and I am happy to take on those risks”

Alright, as long as you’re happy then everything is fine and dandy. Never mind the feelings of the living, poorly breathing animal that you supposedly love.

As a dog owner and breeder I think she’s making some really good points. Dogs are a huge commitment for a long time.

People used to say that to me when I was getting a dog. I now have two and while it is more expensive and more planning needed, I LOVE having dogs. I've never been a dog person but I would not be without them now. My husband used to be in the army and I valued them so much before I had kids as they made me less lonely. Having a dog is proven to be good for your mental health. Your asked her a question. If you feel she's a bit judgmental maybe don't ask her things like this again.

I wholeheartedly agree with your comments.🙂

She was just being honest!
I don’t think she is jealous