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?

I wish everyone who actually decided to get a dog was as aware as your friend is of what a huge responsibility they are. She doesn't want a dog because she doesn't want that responsibility, there is nothing wrong with that.

I'm not sure what it is you found offensive about her comments but if any of it came as a surprise to you then you should rethink whether you are responsible enough to own a dog.

She has a point!

YABU and overly sensitive.

She's just being honest. I would love a dog but they are a tie and they take so much time up. I have a cat who is much more independent and if you want to go away for a night it is easy to get someone in to feed and play for a while. You can't do that with a dog.

Maybe you just didn't like hearing the truth?

Why in Gods name do you think she's jealous? If she wanted a dog, why couldn't she just get one?

As for putting you off? 🙄🙄 Don't be daft! YOU asked HER if she wanted or would ever get a pet and she answered you honestly - why do you ask a question if you want your friends to lie???

nuts

Nothing to be offended about - she's telling the truth!

Dogs are a huge commitment and a big tie - your life will never be the same again. To many dog owners, the commitment, lack of freedom and lack of money is 1000% worth it - to others, it's hell and they really regret their decision. She clearly knows she'd fall into the latter category.

I also don't understand why you think she'd be jealous - anyone can buy a dog.

YABU

She is absolutely right - dogs are a huge commitment and can cost a lot, especially as they get older. If her heart isn’t truly in it then it isn’t something she should take on.
As much as I love them - I’ve decided to have a break when the current one dies. I’ll probably last a week though as I can’t imagine my home without a dog…

shes not wrong and i have 2 dogs, i cant decide at the last minute to go away for a weekend or night, need to book them into kennels for stuff like this and holidays
i need to consider them if im going out, how long i can leave them etc

As a dog owner, I agree with everything your friend said. Dogs are a huge commitment! If you aren't prepared to take on all of the responsibilities your friend listed then you shouldn't be getting the dog.

I have a dog. Everything she says is true! Also everything everyone has said on here about French bulldogs, unless you are paying some serious money for one which I doubt

I'm with her. As much as I love dogs, I couldn't handle the commitment. So I have a cat instead. Much easier and less commitment. No walking, I can still do a night or two away by using the automatic cat feeders or a local friend to feed the cat (we have a reciprocal arrangement). My cat is Sat with me now, so I feel I get 3/4 of the benefits of a dog, with just 1/4 of the commitment. I wouldn't want the tie of a dog,

My best friend has just got a puppy she also has 3 kids on her own and I think she's realised how hard it is
I'd rather people be honest rather than get pets then struggle

You’re offended by her having a different opinion to you?!? About dogs….. scary that you not only thought that but bothered to post about it.

In my opinion she is 100% right. Why would you be offended by that?
Would you also be offended if someone criticised you for choosing an irresponsible breed with numerous health problems - which is animal cruelty in their opinion because of how these dogs suffer crippling pain and cannot breathe properly?
Because if so, you better get used to it.

YABU. Her reasons are exactly why we haven’t got a dog. We have friends who own a dog and they were saying they can’t do spontaneous days out because it would be impossible/tricky to bring them along.

We did recently adopt own an old cat who is absolutely no bother though, he likes to just snooze all day and potter about in the garden but enjoys a lap cuddle as well. He’s perfect for us

People aren't always jealous just because they don't want the same things as you.

It's a reaction I find intensely annoying - the automatic assumption of jealousy when you might actually just not like something, pure and simple.

I have 2 dogs and fully understand her reasons not to. For me, the pros of having them outweigh the cons, but not everyone feels that way. Perfectly valid to have that view.

It’s a funny reaction from you that you’re offended by what she said? You’re offended because she doesn’t want a dog - it must be an insult directed at you?

Well let's see. You asked her, so answering truthfully is fair enough. And as a lifetime dog companion, I'd have to say she's 120% correct - and I'm a little worried if you aren't aware that the responsibility for a dog is significant. And I also wouldn't ever buy a breed that is over bred, barely able to breath, and notoriously unhealthy. But that is your decision.

You asked her if she'd ever get a dog. She said no, you asked her to explain. She explained her reasons. I don't see anything offensive at all here.

People being different to you (having a different opinion, liking different things) is not a criticism of you.

"A tad jealous"???

Of someone contributing to the demand for these poor poor dogs who will suffer throughout their lives just be ouse they're Seend as On trend and cute.

The sooner the fashion for brachycephalic pups passes the better. 😡😡😡

Unconscionable.

From an owner of 2 dogs who are a complete and utter tie.

What she said is 100% true and unless your 100% committed its not worth thinking about a dog

She's not jealous. She is not trying to change your mind. You asked if she would want a dog and she said no and told you why! One of my closest friends hates dogs. Can not see the point of owning one. Doesn't understand why it makes me happy to have a dog in my house. I am not offended that she doesn't want to share the joy and she is not offended that I have something in my life that makes me happy.

She's absolutely spot on! Add on to that 10+ years of picking up foul smelling shit.. (shudder)

I can't think of anything worse

As a dog owner everything she said is right. She isn’t trying to sway you and she isn’t jealous. Being offended is a weird reaction. Why ask if you didn’t want her to give you an honest answer?

French bulldogs life span is 10-14 years? I hope you get good pet insurance.

She's absolutely right and I hope you will also be worried about leaving the dog in the house for too long. Too many terrible dog owners out there.