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.

@Notadame dogs are proven to have extremely high EI. Reading your posts you seem to lack EI.

I have a child whose dog is their main relationship, and possibly only relationship, outside their immediate family. They're an autistic young adult. Is it ideal? No. But they are progressing and, for now, it really fills a gap and stops them being lonely. The dog also provides socialisation opportunities that build on skills that will hopefully mean they can build human relationships, and it does work. For this reason, I value that dog's life far more than the lives of most humans.

I hate it when dogs run and jump up on me and the owner says " he's just playing" or he "just wants to say hello".
I do not want anybody's dog jumping up on more, playfully or not and I don't say hello to dogs .
And I certainly don't want them in my house .

Ok, well then I can't have a reasonable conversation with you.

So you don't have the EI or depth of insight to realise that valuing the dog isn't about the dog but about the value I put on my child? Okay then. Obviously I value my child more than I value most humans (as probably any parents does).

They're going to talk to me about my problems are they? They're going to discuss art, literature, love, life, music, films, family trauma with me? They're going to watch TV shows with me and come to the theatre with me and out for meals with me and they're going to discuss and reminisce and laugh about those experiences with me after? They're going to reflect on shared memories with me? They're going to have their own collection of memories, traumas, life experiences, friends and family members, jobs, hobbies and so on that they'll use to relate to me on a personal level? They're going to help me out practically if I break a bone or am in a car accident? They're going to pick my child up from school if I'm laid in bed with the flu, or take one of my pets to the vet for me in an emergency when I'm on holiday? If I get a long term illness, they're going to look after me and plan my care? They are going to accept these things from me in return?

I have an autistic child myself who is enormously emotionally attached to an old toy rabbit, to the extent he will injure himself if he is without it.

By your logic, I should value the existence of that toy rabbit more than other human beings.

That is so lovely, and I am glad your child has their dog companion to help them navigate things that others take for granted.

No, just respect that other people value things differently to you, and can do so without the insults and name calling.

Gosh, you sound full on and demanding. I've never had a friend with a long term illness who expected such a level of planning their care. I've been appointments with them and supported them, but never been expected to fill the role of carer and car planner. This is why people like dogs.

Quite possibly, yes, as your child comes before other people, right, and your child is your responsibility? I'll always prioritise a living being over an inanimate object though.

Sorry that you don't have any decent humans in your life then 🤷. I've helped several friends in this way. And presumably you would help your spouse, sibling or parent in this way too?

Notice you didn't respond to a single one of my other points, naturally.

Clearly only if the living being has a tail and walks on four legs.

Thank you. You understand. I know it's not ideal and I'm working hard to move them beyond that stage, but meanwhile, protecting that dog protects my child, who I will always protect first.

I have plenty of decent humans in my life and would never dream of making the demands on them that you make of your friends. Do you have any real friends or have you burned them all out?

Only the one anyway.

What are you on about? I'm simply talking about the various ways that human beings tend to help each other out, not listing every single thing my friends and family currently do for me.

@Notadame Your comments show a complete lack of emotional intelligence. They're not going to talk to you about your problems. But you can talk to them. They won’t to discuss art or literature, they will show love, they will enhance your life in ways you don’t expect, they can enjoy music, they curl up with you watching films, they can get you through family trauma. Mine got me through kidney failure. They can watch TV shows with you, they won’t go to the theatre with me and you can take them out for meals to dog friendly pubs and restaurant, they’ll remember experiences and people they’ve not seen or had for years. They' do have their own collection of memories, traumas, life experiences, people they like and love and people they hate, they have favourite games and toys and they can relate to you on a personal level that many humans can’t. They provide support when your ill, mine got me through kidney failure. They won’t to pick your child up from school but you can walk them there. If you’re laid in bed with the flu they’ll keep you company. They won’t take themselves or another pet to the vet. They will give you so much more than you give them. The fact you write suchnegative lengthy posts shows a complete lack of emotional intelligence and a lack of understanding of dogs as a whole.

A dog will watch stranger things and then chat to me about it and laugh, like I do with my DH, will it? It'll eulogise me at my funeral?

I like dogs, but they do not replace human relationships, and me saying that does not mean I am not emotionally intelligent.

The fact that your so negative about people who value their dogs shows a complete lack of emotional intelligence. Or empathy. The fact you keep arguing the same point on this thread and disregarding people who do value/ prioritise their dogs shows a complete lack of emotional intelligence.

I value my own dog, what makes you think I don't? My cats too.

Of course they don't replace human relationships. They're a relationship all on their own.

Where you show a lack of emotional intelligence is your incapacity to understand the value other people gets from their dogs, supplementary to human relationships.

Where have I said or implied that I don't understand that?

It's all over your posts in everything you've said.

It’s all over your posts in everything you’re saying.