If I see any more comments on Mumsnet of it's just a dog

[Lifeneedsaresetagain]

Do people not realise that for those who welcome them into the family they are part of the family. And if you have a dog and say it's just a dog, I'm not sure you should have one.

A dog is not a human yes a dog can be part of a family but they are not and never will be a baby or in anyway the same as a human, I worry for people who cant tell the difference

And no they don't have to be taken everywhere

But…it IS a dog. And when people say that, it’s generally in response to yet another preposterous scenario in which someone is trying to shoe-horn their animal into a situation where it isn’t welcome or necessary, because it’s a dog and not a person. Dogs don’t need to be everywhere humans are, they don’t need to be treated like human children and it’s bloody rude to assume an invitation for you includes your dog (or any other animal).

I think most sensible people with dogs understand the difference. You can love your dog, have it as a central part of the family and no they don't have to be taken everywhere. I would never take my dogs there for their own sanity and it irks me when I see people with dogs at markets, in john lewis, M&S, pubs, cafe's etc who don't want to be there and their humans can't/don't read their body language.

I think if you own a dog then of course it should be one of the family.
But I think it's unreasonable to expect other people to regard your dog as having family member status and rights.

I think, like anything with families, if it's not your experience and you have nothing positive or constructive to say, then don't say anything.

It might be your dog, but it's not mine. To me it's just a dog.

Then don't comment.

What about cats/gerbils/snakes/goldfish that have been welcomed into the family? Or are dogs more special?

But then people will assume that it’s ok to bring their dog into my house, when it’s not.

I don’t care how people see their own dogs, whether they treat them as central members of their family or whatever. That’s up to them and I wouldn’t comment.

But I don’t have to see someone else’s pet as a member of my family. And I certainly don’t need to include them in any invites.

Why not?

I think that's for each household that welcomes an animal to determine, personally, I'd never have a cat, but I would never undermine or be derogatory to anyone who does by saying it's just a cat.

You seem quite keen on telling people what they can and can’t say. That’s not really how it works. Did you not expect any non-fawning responses to your thread?

I have dogs they are my world. Sadly I’m childless not through choice. Don’t tell me it’s just a dog

I have dogs (and cats). They mean the world to me and are absolutely part of my family. I have nothing in common with anyone who says it’s just a dog…

It’s a reaction to the post-pandemic dog worship, dog-dependence and celebration of misanthropy.

Compared to humans, yes it is ‘just’ a dog.

Mum's net is full of can, can't, do and don't, and a lot of it is unthoughtful, derogatory and quite frankly unkind.

You started a thread about dogs being family members.
I made a comment, as I'm entitled to.
It wasn't offensive or nasty.
So why you feel the need to tell me to butt out in such an unpleasant way I don't understand.

Then, if they have no experience with it, they should not comment or be thoughtless.

Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just a dog.

I’ve actually seen some nastier comments from dog owners than I’ve ever seen from the people who think a dog is just a dog.

It's just a child.

But it is just a dog/cat/hamster/budgie whatever. Animals are not on par with family members and if you think they are that's a bit odd and doesn't say much about your family.

The OP clearly didn't say that thinking about how YOU should feel about someone's dog, but rather in response of people being nasty and dismissive to someone who doesn't want to put their dog in kennels over Christmas, for example.

You can think of your dog however you like.

Other people don’t have to see it the same way. So family gatherings don’t mean your dog comes because you think of it as family.

I think they are very much on par with the humans in my family, it's how I was raised, it's how we raised our daughter. They're not a commodity or accessory.