It's a bloody dog!

[MammaKel]

Ugh, I didn't realise how batshit crazy people were about their "furbabies."

We went to a family gathering yesterday where SIL and BIL and their DDog were - they don't have kids, and DDog is their baby but omg.

I could get past the calling each other mummy and daddy, calling my in laws grandma and grandpa and telling my kids he was their fur cousin and showing us pictures of taking him to see " Santa Paws" but there were two instances that genuinely made me cringe a bit ..

We were exchanging gifts, and they asked me where DDogs were, I laughed because I thought they were joking, but nope, totally serious and was upset he'd be left out, so I apologised (for some reason) and moved on very quickly..

The next one was that the dog was getting a bit agitated, and they said he was tired and getting a bit cranky, so they were leaving so he could have a nap..

I'm mostly being light-hearted, and I'm an animal lover (have 4 cats), but I just didn't realise how far it went AIBU or is this just the norm now?

maybe they can’t have kids and are compensating with the dog? Like - does it really matter?

Does seem to be the norm for some dog owners now. I find these people are best avoided.

Have they ever given your cats a present?

We do tend to get token presents for pets in our family - so DDog got a haul of presents from our family Christmas (just treats, cheap toys and things), but 1) we wouldn't be offended if someone didn't and 2) if they've never got your pets anything why would they expect you to get something for theirs?!

I bought Christmas gifts for my Siamese grandcats , equally they had bought gifts for all the other family members . They got me a Jo Malone reed diffuser so they have very good taste .

Well in your first points you are spot on. The humanisation of dogs is absolutely ridiculous these days
However an overtired (young?) dog is an absolute pain in the arse. Usually bitey, running around at 100mph and doing wall of death round the furniture. In that aspect, a dog nap is generally a good idea! 😂

I can't stand it when people baby dogs. It's especially cringe when they refer to themselves as Mummy and Daddy.

I would probably have laughed if someone seriously asked me where the dog's xmas gift was.

I love dogs and I've had them all my life but they are dogs not humans, and no one is doing any animals favours by pretending they are people.

And "fur babies" is nauseating.

Yes some people are nuts 😁 and I have dogs.

Does it matter? None of what you have said takes anything away from you. They have a dog and see them as a member of the family.
It boggles my mind when people get annoyed that someone shows love for their dog, and treats them well.
BTW, my own dog loves to open presents and would most certainly want to be part of that. And with a restless and agitated dog... especially if they are young... a nap will do them good. People do the same with small children.

I say "take your son" when handing my partner our Snake lol

I adored my late ddog, but these people are seriously bonkers!

No rational dog owner expects others to buy their dog gifts, ever.

Please don't think this is normal dog loving behaviour - it far beyond that.

I love this!!!!

We've a dog, no kids. We're mum and dad and buy him presents but, he has boundaries and I know he will get OTT if he's not walked properly before family get together.
I think we've a balance of bonkers dog owners and good dog owners.

Yes this is the norm. I don’t have too much of a problem with it provided the dog is getting properly trained and exercised with the mental stimulation it needs.

Unfortunately many (most) fur babies are bored, untrained, out of control pests that are just ‘being friendly’ or worse about to sink their teeth into you.

Dear God, yep that would just make me laugh out loud in their faces!! What a pair of muppets!! I wouldn't take that nonsense seriously for a moment. 🤣🤣

On a serious note, it's actually dogs and owners like this, that can be a real problem.

If they can't comprehend their dog is not a fucking human, then they won't be treating it how it needs to be treated, you know, like a dog.

It's behaviour is probably abysmal and if it has a nasty streak in it, they probably feel sorry for it when it gets upset. Recipe for disaster.

We've all heard about the XL bully 'parents' whose furbabies wouldn't hurt a fly....

These people are all fucking idiots and shouldn't be allowed to own a goldfish let alone a dog.

I understand dogs being very much part of family but would draw a line at referring to them as DGCs or cousins. There are two young couples in our wider family who have decided that they will not be having DCs but have dogs which they treat like their kids.

Absolutely, OP.
Furbabies 🙄😡

I refer to DH and myself as mum and dad to the cat.
I get her a dreamies stocking for Christmas and get a present from her to the rest of us.
I would not expect anyone else to buy her presents- that way madness lies.

You apologised? 😆

An overtired, overstimulated puppy needs a nap or they quickly become bitey little fuckers. I’ve taken my dog home in similar circumstances, it’s irresponsible not to if there’s just too much happening for them to settle.

Presents for dog, no. I don’t get mine presents and it certainly wouldn’t occur to get for anyone else’s pets! But a nap was possibly a good idea, as young dogs get really annoying just like young kids. Maybe they just wanted to leave though.

I don’t know why people equate treating a dog like a family member with badly trained dog . We’ve always treated all of our pets ( including horses) like they are mini family members , they get Christmas / birthday gifts etc but at the same time they’ve always been exercised , trained , fed appropriate food for them etc . It sounds to me like the OPs relatives are taking excellent care of their dog and it harms nobody ( or the dog) if they refer to it as their fur baby . It’s a shame that so many peoples go to is to sneer and be nasty about something that doesn’t even affect them .

I ask DS to "clean your sisters tray" when FemaleCat has used it .

And I'm not in the least bit bonkers !

OMG, getting upset about not getting their dog a present? Their own behavior is cringe enough as it is. They want you do join in the charade?

Also, in my experience dogs care more about the wrapping paper than any gift. Not cats though, they prefer the box said gift came in.

They sound bonkers but in a lovely way.

I do hope they don't stumble across this thread and get upset about it.