To thing the worlds gone dog mad...

[mrspotatohead21]

I just feel people put dogs on too much of a pedestal. I like dogs, but I just think people almost see them than more than they are, which is, let's be honest, an animal.

I understand how they can be an elderly persons only companion, can fit well into the right family, can help people in need in many ways I do, but just some examples.

I work in a cafe. When we say dog friendly area is outside we get looked at like we've said they can't bring their child in.

I live with my mum and my daughter who's 16 months. She bought a sprocker puppy, he's big, he's massively energetic and he play bites.
He bit her and made her cry, then knocked her over and jumped on her. She's heavier than him. When I asked her to put him behind the gate she said "he's only a baby" and "this is his home, it's not (my daughters) home) every time he's a little bugger she just says "he's only a baby"

People who will fully argue with that they they thing dogs are equally worth the same as children, like there is some comparison. I'm sorry but my own flesh and blood who literally grew in my is never a comparison to a dog?

I just don't go gooey over them. I like a cute dog as much as the next but I'd never seem them or put the trust in them around children like some people do, and recent news of a dog sadly killing a little girl doesn't seem to make people think twice even it's just "my dog would never do that"

AIBU to have that opinion?

I hate to see dogs in eating places, particularly if they're wet and decide to shake themselves all over your food.

And the barking ...

Presumably you would choose one of the numerous non dog friendly establishments then?

I love dogs.

Have had dogs all my life (retrievers)
But my dog is not my child, he is a dog.

He is left alone on occasion.
He doesn't come on days out to tourist attractions.
He doesn't come with me when I go to visit family

Unfortunately the social media and especially mumsnet narrative now is that a dog must never be left alone. That's why you get people taking them bloody everywhere!

A couple of years ago we visited Bodmin Jail when on holiday. Dogs bloody everywhere and it's not the most spacious place as it is! On the way out we saw someone queuing with their Bernese mountain dog. The mind boggles.

Country pubs should absolutely have dog friendly areas inside, an inner city cafe? Nope!

what exactly are dogs shaking when they do that? I find it so gross and first I used to think only wet ones do it but I’ve seen dry ones do it too and it’s put me off my food.

for posters saying “ just go to non dog friendly” places well where are they? To travel there I often need to get a bus or train where I might be sat right next to a dog. Then sometimes I sit down to eat somewhere and i can’t see any dogs then one appears half way through my meal .
Plus I don’t know any local coffee shops near me which are not dog friendly for example. It’s a small town and has very few options and it’s a shame my choices have been limited further by those who drag their “fur babies” around.

I actually think every establishment which allows dogs should have some kind of a dog friendly sign on the window so people who are allergic/don’t want to eat near dogs or be in a confined space with potentially a number of dogs etc can avoid.

Pre-pandemic it was relatively rare for me to see a dog in a restaurant or cafe so I didn’t bother asking or calling ahead before I went in. And now I rarely eat out unless on holiday, but from now on I may consider doing that - both home & abroad - so I can avoid the dog spots. It’s a shame though.

@CherLloydbyCherLloyd

I think both ends of that spectrum are quite extreme to be honest. To view life through a completely concrete or abstract lens is incredibly black and white. I prefer a happy medium. I love science but there is more to be discovered. I do believe humans are special on planet Earth, but I can see how others would have the complete opposite view without feeling offended by it.

Where do you live? We have been all over the UK and the most dog friendly part of the country we have been to is Devon. The southern highlands/Perthshire a close second. I’m in an urban area and I need to use an app to find places where we CAN take our dog.
Places normally advertise being specifically dog friendly here. I’d never take my dog anywhere that didn’t specify (either online or by a sign in the window) but at the same time I believe I have the right to take my dog somewhere that the proprietor is happy to have them, given that allowing dogs often allows an additional income stream (particularly on edges of towns where people might be walking dogs etc)

Of course you think humans are special. You are a human. However, put an unarmed human in a room with some lions and we’d soon see who comes out on top.

@CherLloydbyCherLloyd

Erm, the lion, but that still does not mean the lion as a species is in anyway comparable to a human being. Humans have long been able to keep themselves safe from predatory animals for a very good reason, and that’s due to the nature of being “human”. Having the capacity to outsmart them, build tools, build homes and communities and so forth. The ability to think, plan, analyse and fall in love amongst many other special qualities that we have over animals.

By the way I also love lions I am a Leo 😜.

So we define an animals worth by its intelligence? I find that problematic too.
-chimpanzees use tools. As do many fish species.
-almost every animal builds a home for itself. Some of these are very complex.
-planning and analysis is demonstrated in the animal kingdom too.

• we have no way of knowing if animals “love” in a human sense, but there is evidence of grieving for the dead in various animal species, and many animals mate for life.

@CherLloydbyCherLloyd

Ultimately it comes down to if you have beliefs around human consciousness and essentially what that is, and what it means for wider humanity. Whilst I am not disagreeing the intelligence of many animals you simply will not convince me that they are on par with human beings. We have been able to dominate for a very good reason and what that goes beyond the simplistic explanation of intelligence.

It is abundantly clear that dogs love and grieve, but they are still inherently different from our species and the social structures that we as humans have created. Artificial intelligence is missing the human component.

Animals have worth, they are important and we should respect them and their habitats but nope you’ll never convince me they’re equal to human beings.

Oh I don’t think they are equal to us, because we are humans and obviously have more of an affinity to our own kind - but if you were able to ask a lion, I’m sure it would feel the same way about other lions as we humans feel about other humans. It’s basic evolution to believe that species collectively work to preserve their own species, and humans are included in that - like other animals.

However, I do find it bizarre that humans rank other animals worth - they are okay eating cow, but not horse.

YANBU to have an opinion, and I largely agree that as much as I love dogs, humans come first. However, I do know people who have been unable to have their own children for whom their pets are their 'children' and I can't judge them for that.

@CherLloydbyCherLloyd

Some do do that yes. Personally I would be happy to eat any meat other than dog. But that’s just me.

I’m vegetarian, so I don’t eat any, but if I HAD to eat meat I wouldn’t care what animal it was.

@CherLloydbyCherLloyd

Yeah well I love eating meat but I still wouldn’t eat dogs. Dogs have been bred for human companionship. They weren’t really bred to be on the menu. I do have my exception there 😜. But other than that yes I would happily eat other animals, and regularly do so.

I don’t know if you’re still around, @mrspotatohead21 , but from what you’ve said I think you need to consider that your mother has gotten this puppy at this time because she doesn’t want you there and wants to make things as uncomfortable for you as possible. From your posts:

You said that you would rather she wait to get a dog due to your 16 month old. She got the dog anyway.
She does not exercise the dog, causing it to be wound up and cause problems with your children.
She does not train the dog, allowing it to cause problems with your children.
She forces you to have your children in the same room as the dog in the evenings and will not let you separate the dog when it is riled up and bothering the kids.
She will not let you correct/train the dog around your children because she says it’s “only a baby.”
She repeatedly says that this is the dog’s home, not your children’s home.
She has repeatedly told you to go back home.
She is also an alcoholic and not behaving quite rationally.

It sounds like she knew that this would make you all uncomfortable in her home and that is her main motive for getting the dog and then neglecting it. I know others have said this as well and it’s not really what you want to hear, but you really do need to find another housing option. Your mother does not want you there and will likely continue to ramp up her passive aggressive attempts to make you uncomfortable so that you’ll leave.

It’s crap and in an ideal world of course your mother would want to help you out and make you welcome while you get back on your feet, but sadly this isn’t the case. Leave her to her bottle and her ignored pup and get you and your children someplace better. 💐

Another dog bashing thread!

Yep, they seem to come along an awful lot lately. Although this one is more about OP and her mum, than dogs.

The problem here is your mum, not the mad dog world. You’d be better off paying for a place of your own. Just saying OP

Love this😘

I like your response...you are obviously a tesponsible dog owner. Thanks👏🏿

Personally I prefer dogs to most humans. I was more upset when my dog died than when my parents died but to be honest I didn’t really like them!

I don't know if it's just me but what i really can't stand is when people refer to their dogs as 'fur babies', makes me want to scream for some reason!

YANBU

Yabu to expect your Mum not to get a dog in her own house. She is bu if she isn't walking the dog or getting a dog walker.