Would you invite a tiger to tea?

[TheHorseOnSeventhAvenue]

I’m very lucky to live in a small cul-de-sac with little traffic. Three dogs from the local rescue live here and I know of at least two other rescues living here, one from abroad and another.

Our newest neighbour also has a rescue. It’s a 120lb Cane Corso. It’s been mistreated, used for guarding, dog aggressive and the female of the couple who have taken it on has never had a dog before. I presume the man has but haven’t spoken to him.

We all watched and laughed at things like Joe Exotic because it was so bizarre. Even as a dog lover I can’t get my head around someone thinking this is ok in a residential neighbourhood.

They seem to be trying to be responsible but as they can barely manage it on a lead, I’m sure it’s not getting the exercise it needs.

I’m worried for my dogs but my neighbours are scared for their children.

I’ve lived with large dogs. I might feel differently if I’d known the dog from a puppy but probably not.

AIBU to think this is a scary situation.

I think I would rather have the tiger to tea.

I’d rather have tea with the bear in the woods.

Thought this would be a philosophical discussion on the Judith Kerr book.

Bit disappointed really.

I was going to be worried about anyone drinking all the water from my tap.

Re the dog - it doesn't actually sound like the dog has done anything to make you think it isn't under control, is that right? They walk on a lead, it isn't getting out or anything? I think you're being a bit unreasonable.

Same. I have this whole theory on the mum being on benzos, trying to explain the lack of food and drink based on a similar looking cat when they leave the house. Sad I don’t get to defend it.

A well behaved tiger is welcome in my house.

As are bears.

Strange men, not so much.

The title of this thread is a misdirection and I'm somewhat disappointed. I also wanted to discuss the philosophical tgemes of a childhood story.

Me too!

But it doesn’t sound like the Cane Corso has done anything except have a bad past and be heavy, and that seems a bit unfair. They walk it on the lead, it hasn’t got away from them or escaped the house or anything?

I also wanted to discuss the actual Tiger who came to Tea. Sad times

My understanding is that it's a metaphor for the rise of Nazism and the repression of the Jews in 1930s Germany, and that the dad taking everyone out to a caff was them being evacuated. (Before hearing this I'd hated how ineffectual the mum is)
Anyway, the tiger was uninvited.

My theory is Judith Kerr is preparing the mums of toddlers for the teenage years. My boys haven’t mastered drinking all the water in the tap (only the filter jug in the fridge) but apart from that, they are the tiger in human form 😂 Shame that’s not what the thread is about 👎

Going back to the Cane Corso, it may or may not be a problem - depends on the dog and on the owner. I met one recently, hurting round a field. I was worried it would send me flying if it charged into me, and I was pleasantly surprised when the owner called it and it immediately came back to him. So to answer your question, OP - it depends on the individual dog and how well the owner controls it and trains it.