I have an older dog (10+) that has severe problems with his teeth. (Periodontal disease). I get his teeth cleaned when it's possible, but he has to be put in full anesthetic each time so if his bloodwork (lungs, kidneys, heart) isn't perfect the vet can't clean them. That leaves brushing his teeth and giving him medicine to keep his disease under control, and since the plaque settles almost from hour to hour, it's a struggle to keep down.
Unfortunately that means that his front teeth have been pushed out, which is very noticeable. He has no other problems since his other teeth are excellent but for some reason a lot of people stare and comment at his buckteeth as though I am abusing him. It looks odd, I agree, but he is clearly pain free and happy but the constant rudeness is getting to me. AIBU?
There are times when I simply avoid talking to people with dogs because I know they suddenly go quiet and stop talking to me for then to drag their dogs away from me like I have the plague. Sometimes I hurry to prattle on about gum disease before they can react. I have tried to tell myself that they do it out of concern for the dog, and that it is a good thing people care about dogs they think are being mistreated. But I've just got off the train (dogs are allowed on trains where I live) where I had a staring contest with two elderly ladies who spent the entire journey staring maliciously at us and mumbling to each other about 'the poor dog.' I felt like I was going to explode. He is the sweetest dog ever and I love my bucktooth boy. What happened to manners?