To think pet owners should stop calling themselves “dog mums” and “cat dads?”

[TheDeftAquaViewer]

It just feels a bit much when people treat their pets as if they’re children. AIBU to think this trend has gone a bit too far?

So am I, but it's a grain of comfort with the ofurlords! 😆

I saw a great car sticker today - you know those transparent ones that go on back windows. It was a drawing of a cat with "meNow, meNow, meNow" written under it.

Well said. And the "it's cruel to desex them" line is the opposite of reality - and ignores the vast numbers of kittens and puppies that result from people not desexing cats and dogs. That's the cruelty, indeed criminal irresponsibility in my book. And how many of us who love our pets and use the terms these people hate also happen to be those who adopt them from shelters that had to save them from abandonment or worse?

There are traits people find annoying about me
Are you ok for them to talk about you behind their back saying you are embarrassing and slightly ludicrous?

How about just sticking to finding it annoying and just leaving it to that?

I talk to my dog like I used to speak to my kids and I am totally conscious people must think I'm bonkers!

Just like I explain to her why she must look both ways first for cats before crossing the road 🤣 The thing is, she is quite exceptionally intelligent and is indeed starting to stop and look. Really! Not that I would let her off the lead on the streets.

At least people don't have anything to moan about bad behaviour as she very well trained. As long as it's me they judge and not my dog, all is well 😁

£300? Ha, he cost an awful lot more than that because I made sure I went to a reputable licensed breeder with a great reputation who is well known in the circles for the breed we chose, and that all the relevant health checks were done on him and his parents to ensure he will be as healthy as possible.

I’m not even going to credit the rest of your snidely post with a response as other posters have already addressed it beautifully.

@vivainsomnia Now I'm itching to know if that was a typo or you really do tell her to look both ways for cats! 😂

Haha, as for being mad, I would say it's to watch cars and cats 😂 She is small in her defence!

Both certainly makes most sense! 😆

I’m absolutely my dog’s mummy, as much as I am mummy to my two human kids! Fairly sure the dog loves me more than my two as well. My kids also definitely see the dog as his brother. We’re happy, don’t see why if would bother anyone else!

Fairly sure the dog loves me more than my two as well

I hope this is tongue in cheek otherwise what a horrible thing to say

Have you ever had a dog? I have two. One Irish wolfhound and one collie. The wolfhound is currently lying ON me with giant sad eyes because I'm poorly. The collie is licking my feet.

We're all fully aware they don't experience love as humans do. But they're do feel something, and they're affectionate and clingy, needy little buggers who literally mourn when you're feeling shite. My kids, on the other hand, will get home and bounce around. Because they're kids. It's what they do.

Stop being so dramatic.

@GiddyRobin

There is nothing to say that they don't feel love. A lonhg time ago, a bunch of humans took positive emotions, love, kindness, compassion etc and labelled them as human. Then humans decided that we were the only ones that can feel them to try to make us more superior. But these emotions aren't exclusive to humans, they are not 'human emotions'. They are something most animals feel.

🤣🤣🤣

Did having that humour bypass hurt?

I agree with you, I've seen animals behave in ways no-one could imagine.

DH nearly died a while ago. I wheeled him into the stable because he was insistent he was not going to hate horses after what happened. Two big stallions lifted their heads, watched him in his wheelchair. I've never seen anything like it. They walked over, nuzzled him, bent their necks and it was genuinely such a huge surprise. They could see he was sick and they behaved like it.

My dog understands the word 'love'. It took a while but she now does. She gets all cuddly and gives me kisses when I tell her that I love her (Barry White style!). Adorable!

I picked up our cats from the CATTERY yesterday and when you go to their chalet ( yes) they look up and react as they would to the carers there then they suddenly realise it's your and their whole little faces and demeanour change! Mummy is back 😂😂

I was determined not to be referred to as my dog's mum, just her person. But this mum stuff is utterly relentless. Someone calling downstairs at the groomer's "Dora's mum's here!" or at the park, "Oh, you're Dora's mum" or at the vet "Dora and her mum are here." I gave up. I don't refer to myself as her mum but if others do I no longer get vexed. I do know (and I think we all know) that our dogs are not actually human children. Life is too short to correct, correct, correct.

I think the horrors of being a parent, the lack of money, lack of freedom and lack of any kind of life is directly linked to the failing birth rate. Women finally have a choice and can say fuck no, I don't want kids and it's wonderful. Hooray for the failing birth rate! Give me a pet any day of the week.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

My point is that yes people are choosing not to have children for all sorts of reasons but clearly people still have the urge to care and nurture...hence why they have pets.

Or they just like having pets. Does it really matter?

Fair, and I do enjoy nurturing but only animals, animals are compassionate and innocent and I prefer them to people, that is to say that my need for nurturing in no way extends to people.