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?

@owlexpress its our evolutionary history. Humans would otherwise not have survived well as a species. We have important behaviours around protecting and prioritising our young. What’s interesting is how this is changing in the modern world- and why. I don’t believe we’ve got to the point yet where many people - even anonymously-would prioritise a dog’s life over a child’s.

@Rummly wow v interesting. But the question is rigged. The better structured choice would be- a strangers child or a strangers dog.

My young golden is still at an age where he fights sleep and gets massively overstimulated and then nippy and a pain jn the arse. So we absolutely have to take him somewhere quiet to enforce a nap (we ignore him while he badgers us for attention). It's for his own sake, plus ours and anyone else who we are around.

He, and his predecessor, are full members of our family though. Our slightly weird, ramshackle family that is mostly made up of friends as neither of us are close to actual family. We might not refer to ourselves as mum and dad, but other people do from the vet to my step daughter....who, incidentally calls our puppy her favourite brother or her little brother, depending on how annoying her actual brother is currently being. She's 30 this year and he is 27. He also refers to our dog as his brother.

The only people I've met who refer to fur babies have been parents of actual children. I think it's a silly term, but what harm is it doing really?

Some of us actually do prefer having pets to having children, so I'd never compare the two as having children to me is a foreign and undesirable concept, whilst having a dog is lovely and warm. But if people prefer humans to dogs, then crack on I'm just glad you're not in my life.

It's very useful for people to show that they are like this in real life....makes it easy to avoid them.

A lot of people are probably glad they’re not in your life, tbh!
I’ve got both children and dogs, btw.

That seems unnecessarily nasty.

Does it? It was a response to “If people prefer humans to dogs crack on but I’m glad you’re not in my life”.

Just a question as we're talking about losing a pet - when your pet dies, would you consider getting another one?

My last dog had been I'll for a long time - diabetes and other chronic conditions. He had a marvellous quality of life and then decided himself when it was time to go, so drifted off peacefully in his sleep. My husband and I still cry for him as he was such a larger than life character and funny and loving (when he felt like it) and string and obstinate.

Because his end of life was so long coming, we had time to prepare and discuss what we were going to do. We decided thst we needed another dog in our lives and didn't want to wait too long for that to happen. So we got our pup 5 weeks after the old boy died. It doesn't mean he's a replacement, but he's made the grief easier to deal with.

In your opinion it’s insane behaviour. It’s not hurting anyone, if it’s not affecting your life - does it matter?

Sorry, I missed the very last line. I do apologise. Edited.

@Fleetbug wow v interesting. But the question is rigged. The better structured choice would be- a strangers child or a strangers dog.

No it wouldn't, because there's not really any dilemma here. I imagine 99.9% of people would choose the human. But it definitely gets trickier when you bring someone's own dog into the equation. A strange child, or a dog who you consider a family member?

She said exactly what I’ve quoted her as saying. I can read.

I missed the crossed out section. I've edited to apologise already.

Sorry, x posted.

Yes, x posted, apologies.

I would save my dog each and every time. No apology; The dog is adding a lot more to my life.

But the question is rigged. The better structured choice would be- a strangers child or a strangers dog.

Whilst in reality most people would leave the saving of any living thing to the fire brigade - you know, the people trained to rescue people/pets from fires and other dangerous situations . So it's all bullshit really .

And to the person who called me insane - it's not the insult you think love. I own my insanity ans still prefer my dog (hell, any dog) to people like you 😘

It's not about what they feel themselves, the post is about when people expect others to feel the same way.
It does matter because it's denying reality, and it takes energy and patience to deal with people who do this.
It's means biting your tongue at ridiculousness, and it's tiresome and requires considerable effort.

Yep people are like that

My primary aged kids wanted to get the dog toys, and he always has one on the go to stop his chewing so fine, but adults need to grow up.If someone does buy for their dog it's a particularly kind things to do, if they don't that should be considered the norm. Whilst he came with us on Christmas Day he stayed on the lead and has impecible behavour and barely moved away from my ankle. he also had a bath the day before so he didn't smell. He is not my child, and I asked before taking him, if they'd say no we would have left him at home and left their house earlier, or asked a neighbour to let him out. DOGS ARE NOT MINI HUMANS.

Incredible. Thoroughly depressing though.

I have several dogs and don’t buy them presents as they have treats etc all year, they don’t know it’s Xmas day or any other provided they get fed and exercised they don’t care, I think it’s all the humanising of them that gives them behavioural problems

That's pathetic and weird. My wonderful dad died in August - of course I didn't bring his ashes anywhere

It drives me mad. I was reported to RSPCA because I fed my dog DOG FOOD and not steaks and custard creams. Also because I bought my dog a kennel for outside. my neighbour was disgusted and said he wouldn't put a child in it so why should a dog go in lol. They also had a go at me because I didn't take my dog on holiday with me and put her into a kennel for a week.

I like dogs but in my eyes, a dog is a pet,maybe even a best friend. Part of the family to a certain extent. The dog sleeps in a dog bed, eats dog food and does things a dog should do. Not what humans should do.

"I would save my dog each and every time. No apology; The dog is adding a lot more to my life."

Then you are completely insane, possibly a psychopath.

I just don’t get the problem here from a lot of posters.

Yes, there is a line, and by line I mean dressing them in clothes and shoes and posing for human like photos, pushing them in prams etc etc, (unless for health reasons)

But really what is the problem? They are not abused, starving, stuck outside in the cold. They are clearly loved and looked after and speaking as someone who has had a number of miscarriages, my dog, along with my partner, is my absolute rock and I don’t know how I would live without her to be honest!

As long as they are, fed properly, walked, washed, vet appointments, looked after and live a good life let them bloody spoil and pander to them!