Page 2 | If I see any more comments on Mumsnet of it's just a dog

Lifeneedsaresetagain · 2025-12-05T22:29:36+00:00

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.

Soontobe60 · 05/12/2025 22:51

Lifeneedsaresetagain · 05/12/2025 22:38

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.

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I’ve had dogs for most of my life. I now have cats instead. I couldn’t imagine not having a dog or a cat but I agree also with what @Wellstonethecrows said.

HotWaterCosts · 05/12/2025 22:51

LighthouseLED · 05/12/2025 22:48

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.

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Quite. All the ‘I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t love dogs’. ‘I wouldn’t let non-dog lovers visit my home’. Etc. I don’t like dogs. I have no issue at all with (decent) owners and some are even friends of mine!

verybighouseinthecountry · 05/12/2025 22:51

One of the most memorable posts I read on MN was a poster saying she needed a third bedroom (in London) as she had a pet hamster that needed its own room. I thought it was a joke, then was called a cruel bitch for not realising that a hamster needs 10x6ft of space at least. There was me thinking my hamster was privileged as it had a 2 storey cage!

LeafyMcLeafFace · 05/12/2025 22:52

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 05/12/2025 22:49

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.

100% this

( from someone who resents going anywhere, including work, without her dog because she’s unhealthily attached and prefers the dog to most people)

illsendansostotheworld · 05/12/2025 22:52

PollyBell · 05/12/2025 22:31

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

I agree.
People treat them like humans - so weird.

Soontobe60 · 05/12/2025 22:52

Purplecatshopaholic · 05/12/2025 22:46

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…

Edited

What, are you not even human?

bigboykitty · 05/12/2025 22:53

Clueless dog owners take their untrained dogs into the most ridiculous and inappropriate situations and expect other people to be delighted. You cannot take your dog into someone else's house unless that person has specifically said 'please bring your dog'. You can love your dog as much as you like. Don't assume other people do.

Soontobe60 · 05/12/2025 22:53

Lifeneedsaresetagain · 05/12/2025 22:49

It's just a child.

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Anyone who claims that their pet is equal to a child is batshit bonkers.

verybighouseinthecountry · 05/12/2025 22:53

Lifeneedsaresetagain · 05/12/2025 22:49

It's just a child.

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Well yes, it is, and many people are excluded from plans because of their DC. That's life!

shhblackbag · 05/12/2025 22:53

LighthouseLED · 05/12/2025 22:44

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.

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Exactly this. I don't want people's pets in my space, regardless of whether they regard said pet as a member of their family. If that means they won't visit, that's their decision.

SwirlyWhirls · 05/12/2025 22:53

Lifeneedsaresetagain · 05/12/2025 22:36

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.

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That’s because it’s just a dog.

RosemaryandTruffle · 05/12/2025 22:53

But dogs are just dogs.

Kirbert2 · 05/12/2025 22:53

It's worse when dogs are compared to children. That is usually when 'it's just a dog' comes in.

If people don't want to hear that, stop acting like dogs and children are the same.

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 05/12/2025 22:54

illsendansostotheworld · 05/12/2025 22:52

I agree.
People treat them like humans - so weird.

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Yep - the minute anyone says something like this, I avoid them like the plague.

HotWaterCosts · 05/12/2025 22:55

When my kids were little, I never let them wander up to others. I never once thought other people would think they were cute or want to talk to them. They are my children and I loved them. But I did not inflict them on others. That’s all I ask of dog owners. And if someone says they don’t like children, that’s fine too. I don’t get mortally offended!

EchoedSilence · 05/12/2025 22:56

FastFood · 05/12/2025 22:49

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.

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And? So stay home with your dog then. It's your choice.

Kirbert2 · 05/12/2025 22:56

HotWaterCosts · 05/12/2025 22:51

Quite. All the ‘I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t love dogs’. ‘I wouldn’t let non-dog lovers visit my home’. Etc. I don’t like dogs. I have no issue at all with (decent) owners and some are even friends of mine!

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We can't also forget the thread where a child was called pathetic and a wet wipe for daring to be frightened of dogs.

My son is scared of dogs too so I remember that one well.

Dweetfidilove · 05/12/2025 22:57

Why isn't a dog just a dog to whoever has no interest in it?
What has elevated an animal to special status to all and sundry?

LeafyMcLeafFace · 05/12/2025 22:57

HotWaterCosts · 05/12/2025 22:55

When my kids were little, I never let them wander up to others. I never once thought other people would think they were cute or want to talk to them. They are my children and I loved them. But I did not inflict them on others. That’s all I ask of dog owners. And if someone says they don’t like children, that’s fine too. I don’t get mortally offended!

Oh god, totally this!

IPM · 05/12/2025 22:58

Some people are willfully ignorant on all sorts of subjects OP.

I've owned dogs all my life and if those who don't, don't understand that they're very much part of the family, I couldn't give a shiny shit 🤷‍♂️

They're happy to live in that ignorant bubble so it's all good.

ApplebyArrows · 05/12/2025 22:59

If your dog is aged between 5 and 18 it should be in school like any other child!

EchoedSilence · 05/12/2025 23:03

You can love your dog like a child, Doesn't mean everyone else has to. Not an ignorant bubble, just a real one.

FastFood · 05/12/2025 23:06

EchoedSilence · 05/12/2025 22:56

And? So stay home with your dog then. It's your choice.

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Oh I will (although I come from a pet-friendly family so I actually don't have that issue).

But this is not the point.
The point is that when someone prioritises their dog, or merely feels attached to them, MN's dog-hating brigade goes "FFS put it in kennels, its just a dog" or "your dog is not your baby", hinting that the person is wrong to feel like their dog is part of their family.

HangingOver · 05/12/2025 23:08

Perhaps it's the "just" part that bothers people. I don't think most dog lovers feel pets and their children are actually equivalent. I'm child free by choice, I dont want kids but that doesn't mean I don't feel protective, nurturing love, and very much enjoy looking after my dog.

I dont love my dog more than most humans but I love him in his own special, specific way; it's an unwavering, straightforward love with a side of responsibility and a bit of guilt and worry. Probably the closest thing to maternal love I'll ever get.

So no, obviously the loss of a dog, the responsibility of a dog etc. are obviously not the equivalent of any of those things as a child.would be, but equally they do become a part of you, you form the most tremendous bond. They're just this little amazing creature that's there when you wake up and go to bed and you're their entire universe.

mondaytosunday · 05/12/2025 23:08

Dogs are not the same as a child. They don’t think like people, they don’t feel like people. A dog can have several owners without too much trauma - you can’t say that about a child. Their needs are simple. Shelter, food and love. They don’t grow and up and become independent. Treat a human like you treat a dog and that would be abuse.
If this is in reference to the woman who was told by her partner she could bring her dog to Christmas without asking the people hosting, then it’s on him. The parents don’t have a dog and don’t want a dog in their house as is their right. If it was a child - well you can’t leave a kid on their own can you? But you can leave a dog for a few hours. And if longer then there’s alternative care - kennels, petsitter etc. I have pets and plan on going on holiday for a couple weeks. They will not be coming with.