To think we need to find a way to infiltrate the dog cult?

[dogsdilemma]

I'll start by saying I favour cats but love all animals. I don't want a dog just now because I find them tying. Would date someone who had one because, contrary to what I'm about to say, I like them and it wouldn't be my responsibility.

But the obsession drives me nuts. It seems no one can own a dog in a normal way anymore. As in I have a dog, the dog is a pet not a person, dogs aren't god-like solve all creatures, it's fine if not everyone loves my dog as much as me - like I am with my cat.

Someone gets a puppy and I go to their house - all conversation is about the puppy and I'm expected to fuss like they've just given birth. I can't say 'ah I've actually come to catch up with my friend, not have endless chat about the puppy's sleep schedule and whether or not it shat in the house today' because their dogs are their babies, so I should treat them as such.

Instagram accounts for dogs - captions written like 'my mum took me for a walk today, I had so much fun'. Only mildly cringy but wtf? Are you a springer spaniel mother or Katie from uni?

I do an exercise class and the owner has a puppy. She brings him along so he's not home alone. At least 15 minutes of the session I've paid for is always taken up by the hive mind fussing the puppy. Everyone loves dogs so no one minds apparently - except I DO mind. If I say this though I'm gonna be the dick.

I'm OLD, and every other profile says 'must love dogs'. I do love them but don't want one, and if I say this it's like I've confessed to being Hitler in a past life. Cue messages trying to change my mind, as though not being obsessed with dogs is a moral failure. I love my cat but wouldn't rule out someone who doesn't feel the same?

The final nail in the coffin. I've been dating someone new. Had an absolute shitter of a week so far - nothing he can help with, not really serious, just work stuff. His response is 15 pictures of his dog being cute to cheer me up. He's just trying to be nice but I do not get it. I wouldn't expect pictures of my cat to cheer anyone up except, maybe, me. I'm being narky but I actually found it so so irritating and cannot even fake enthusiasm to reply. If I say 'awwww cute, thank you' he'll continue with this approach. If I say 'cute but why would your dog cheer me up ha' I'm gonna look like a knob.

I have no problem with others doing what they want to do but recently it is infiltrating everything. I know there are worse issues but ffs it's so annoying - what is this dog cult and how to we stop it? Can I tell this lovely man I'm dating that I actually have little interest in his dog?!?!?

Yup they’re everywhere now. Parents are even bringing them on the school run and standing outside the school gates with them despite some children being scared of dogs.

The only way those kids are going to get over such a life-limiting phobia is to be safely exposed to dogs. You dont want them growing up unable to use parks and beaches and visit family with dogs? You don't want them to cross the road every time they see a dog? You don't want them screaming hysterically at the company picnic because the boss's wife brought a golden retriever puppy?

Walking past dogs on leads at pick-up and NOT getting attacked 1200 times during your primary years can only be beneficial.

My child developed a terror of something similar (not am animal but an object). We deliberately took her past it every day until she was able to go up to it and use it without fear. Now she has forgotten she used to be terrified of it.

At least I don't let my dog go and shit in your garden then refuse to clean it up

My old neighbours did exactly this. On the third occasion I took it back to them and said "I think this is yours".

Why is it that dog lovers have to always compare dogs to children as if they’re the same thing?

You can compare two things without thinking they're exactly the same, you know.

Obviously, doesn’t mean that some people don’t view them as the same though.

So? It's no skin off your nose if other people love their dogs. Stop trying to police people's emotions.

Only just realised because of your comment that OLD is online dating and not just emphasising advanced age hahaha

OP I am TOTALLY with you on this - and I have a dog who I adore. He is huge + soft + gentle + hilarious + loves our children. He also has a penchant for rolling in foul smelling things at inopportune moments and is a terrible food thief. I love him. I love dogs.

I do not love dogs in restaurants. I hate it when they’re allowed anywhere near food, I hate that hotels are dog friendly. I really don’t like the whole language that’s built up around them. I don’t wish to boop anyone’s snoot.

I don’t like how poorly people manage their dogs in public + expect that it’s ok because they’re cute. It’s never cute to put paws up on a stranger or pee on a front door.

well looked after and managed dogs in the right environment are heaven - but the expectation that they should be everywhere all the time out of control is the worst.

Do people realise that being around dogs and being around someone else’s kids aren’t the only two options we have available?

Im sure many of us would rather not be around either

How am I policing people’s emotions?

I asked a question.

I have no issue with people loving their dogs. Point out exactly where I said that. I question the constant comparison by some when children and dogs are not the same.

But that's the thing that confused me when I first saw a post with someone talking about 'her boy' dying. I thought for a second someone I knew had had their child die! Then I realised it was just her cat. She doesn't have children but I didn't see who it was at first.
No one talked about 'their boy/girl' meaning their pet until a few years ago.
I really like animals but people are really bizarre about them now. And it's not just dogs, it's horses (I have a horse), cats, guinea pigs (they attract some absolutely bat shit crazy people who want to fill their house with guinea pig themed tat).

“dogs aren't god-like solve all creatures”

btw, my comment is intended to be lighthearted..,

As far as I’m concerned, dog is just god spelled backwards

Yeah I've seen a few of those posts as well eg
"I hope my darling girl will survive the night"
"Said goodbye to my little boy today, I'm broken"
"My oldest baby has cancer"

A woman I used to work with asked for 3 days compassionate leave when her cat died. And raised a grievance case against her TL, manager and senior manager who all refused and told her she had to take annual leave.

I hear you. I love dogs but tend to dislike a lot of dog owners. I have varicose veins so I don't want it to jump up at me and tear down my legs with its claws. I don't want to get muddy, knocked over or licked. Keep it on a lead FFS. And respect that your dog is not my idea of a nice dog. And please leave me alone when I am quietly walking my cat on his lead. He is none too keen on any dogs.

Yes. I actually think those sort of thread titles should be banned on MN as I have seen them before and assumed child illness and death, which is quite triggering.

Or come with a warning "animal related"

I agree with you OP. I don’t see why dog owners expect everyone who they come into contact with to go ga-ga over their dog?
I for one am scared of dogs and don’t like to see them in cafes or shops. When a work colleague suggested bringing in her dog every day so people can fuss it (a bit like therapy etc) I was like woahhh no way do I want a dog in the office …
I did have a dog growing up, a Jack Russell . At times it was pure evil and ended up biting my lip off. 19 years old and a scarred face for life left me very wary of all dogs. When I see Facebook pics of dogs at the side of babies or children it gives me anxiety. If only dog owners realised their dog could turn at any moment….. lots of injuries would probably be avoided.

I’m 100 percent with you OP.

What if the child has learning disabilities and just DOESNT UNDERSTAND!! Get over yourself ffs!! The school gates are for children not fucking dogs!!

I would like a dog but my husband hates dogs, or rather he hates entitled owners of dogs because there seem to be everywhere and we have a lot of problems near us with dogs attacking sheep and cattle etc. He won’t let me have a dog because he doesn’t want us to become a bonkers dog people . 🤣 I have to add too, that although I would like one, I do think there are too many dogs (and cats) about and neither are any good for the environment. A nearby campsite and swim spot have recently banned dogs to preserve the wildlife and I have never heard such a kerfuffle on an FB page. You would think something life threateningly horrific had happened. Lots of dog owners seemed to think their pets have a right to be allowed everywhere. They don’t.

(Are you me?)

You're a proper cat person. You have no tolerance for humans or canines, just give up trying, get a rocking chair, fill your house with cats and accept your fate.

My child has significant learning delays. I saw it as all the more reason to help her not be afraid of something she was going to see every day.

Or you could shriek and get angry at the thing that triggers your child. But that isn't helping her.

But not every child has the same level of learning disabilities! My child just doesn’t understand end of! Im sick and tired of people telling me I should make her face her fears when it’s NOT THAT SIMPLE! School gates shouldn’t be blocked by people and their fucking dogs while children are trying to get into school! Please stop telling me what isn’t helping my child, you know nothing about her, her disabilities or her situation!