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.

Well, not long ago you could buy a human. And probably, in some horrible places, you can still buy a human today

Because it’s a dog.

Don’t be ludicrous. I have a dog - I have had previous dogs. They are dogs - they are not my children.
i have loved and lost multiple pets. Cats and dogs.
They are still just dogs or cats. My children come before my parents, my siblings and friends - my pets (who I adore) are pets.

That's not up to you.

Don't get me started on the amount of dog haters who seem to have a fixation on dog bum holes

That’s because they have all met a dog like my SIL’s which rubs its arse on the rug and leaves brown shit streaks. Same dog shat - nay squirted - on our wooden floor. That was a fun half hour with a knife and a cloth, removing liquid shit from the gaps in the floorboards. Also a couple of shits on the mat at the back door. Not all on the same day to be fair. Then SIL goes all sour faced and rolling eyeballs when I ask her to remove her dog from my sofa. As if …

I do realise NADALT.

I understand that people adore their dogs. But I don’t understand why anyone would get so offended simply because others don’t get it. They don’t have to. Unless they are actively setting out to harm your pet in some way, why does it matter what they think?

They definitely didn't handle that well! Having to make the decision to put your pet to sleep is a horrible experience, it weighs on you terribly, but it's also very different to the experience of having a child or a human family member on life support and not knowing whether they're going to live or die. It is very much the wrong comparison to make in that scenario! I'm not surprised that fractured your relationship for good, if they couldn't recognise their contribution to what went wrong.

Very glad to hear he pulled through and is in remission. What an awful time for you all.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question

There are a lot of people on here who like to say things they think will cause upset. Just ignore them. They won’t be your sort of people, their opinion is irrelevant.

Then dont ask

Exactly.

I was there for them when their dog died. I didn't make the situation all about myself and that is what upset me the most, it was all about the dog.

It was a really awful time, I still have nightmares to be honest. Thanks so much.

I totally agree op.
I’d never had a dog until my 50s, didn’t really like them but my dd who has autism was desperate for one and it was recommended we get one. So when the time was right and we’d researched it properly we got one.

Oh my goodness I had no idea how much they take over your heart and family. They live in your space among you. You see their every need, happiness and anxieties. They are living, very intelligent creatures who adore you and absolutely become one of you and their needs are just as important.

Our dog goes to day care 1 day a week and the worry re finding the right one,her having good care and being safe and happy was massive.

I’T’s different but there is no just about it.

Lifeneedsaresetagain · Yesterday 22:49

HotWaterCosts · Yesterday 22:48

Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just a dog.

It's just a child.

Truly? You sound as though you are 10 years old. Grow up.

I have no issue with people choosing to describe their relationship with their dogs as being on par with human family members ….until they expect me to feel and more importantly act as they do and expect said dog to be afforded human status in all circumstances outside their home.

I don’t have dogs due to significant and impactful allergies, I do not want other peoples dogs in my home or invading non-dog appropriate public spaces and I don’t take kindly to being emotionally blackmailed about this because “they are my family/furbaby” and that I should just take an antihistamine (as has often been suggested).

Fundamentally dogs are pets that have very different needs and behaviours to humans.

A dog is a big responsibility but that resides with the owners - the positives and the negatives.

That includes imho accepting that a lot of people will not feel the same way about your pet as you do - that it is “just a dog” and they absolutely do smell and shed hair (it’s just most owners become so acclimatised to it that it doesn’t register with them) and that a lot of people do not want to share their environment with a dog.

So I will (and do) say no to dogs in my home and will tell the family bringing their dog into the non dog friendly section of the local pub or trying to bring their non-service dog into a food shop that they are not welcome there and not care one iota if I’m told I’m mean because “hurty fur baby feelings” - because frankly most dog owners don’t give a shiny shit about the fact that after contact with dog dander I’ll be ill for a week.

We love our dog, but understand that no-one outside the family loves her or particularly cares about her - to others she is 'just a dog'.

I think the thread that inspired this one was about not being allowed to take a dog along for Christmas. There are a handful of comments about just putting it in kennels as it's 'just a dog' (maybe a bit thoughtless?) and that seems to have got up the OP's nose (they can correct me if I'm wrong). I expect it's just lack of experience on the part of those posters. We couldn't put ours in kennels as she would become distressed (due to her history and our knowledge of her, etc) and the OP from that thread obviously has had bad reactions from their dog too. You can't treat your pet like an object (well I can't), they have feelings, likes, dislikes and reactions brought on by past experiences.

Doesn't mean people are wrong when they say 'it's just a dog' because to them it is or that people who adore their pets are wrong either. It's just differing POV

In a mad max apocalypse, I’m eating your dog before I’m eating anyone’s child and I think most people would probably be ok with that. Because it’s a dog. I adored my pets, living and deceased but it’s not comparable.

I'd be eating your child because my dog would not sustain you at all. She has no meat on her.

You have posted upon a public forum. Unless someone is being offensive then you can’t complain about what they say,

If you lack the emotional maturity to accept that to some people a dog is a dog, and can only listen to people who agree with you then go and use ChatGPT like all the other teenagers .

Greyhounds have a 57% muscle density rather than fat so not a bad shout for survival! But happy to make an apocalyptic stew/stock! 😂

Not one who is almost 16. She might be good for bone broth.

😂 but still just a dog, which I think was the concept the OP was struggling with!

No, she might be just a dog to others, but she is my family to me.

Yes dogs and cats are more special, of course they are.

However, that doesn't mean that people don't really love and become attached to whatever type of pet they have! Any animal we have in our care, and for whatever reason, must certainly be treated with kindness amd respect, and have all of it's basic needs met, such as: food, shelter, heath needs, exercise, mental stimulation, companionship - unless it's type usually live alone - and a clean and safe, and large enough, environment.

Therefore - as an example - anyone owning/keeping 'battery farmed' animals, should be prosecuted and jailed for a very long time. Imo, cruelty by humans to any sentient being is indefensible, disgusting, and should be totally illegal, and lead to extremely strong punishments.

I have a dog and she is most beloved. The kids joke she is my favourite child, I agree as she never answers back. Sleeps on my bed, lots of time and energy goes into walks and making sure she isn’t left alone for too long. Still is just a dog though.

How far does this extend?

If I invite someone to my house for Christmas lunch and they say they’re bringing their dog, am I not meant to comment?

What a ridiculous position OP.
'I think THIS. And if you don't agree, then you shouldn't say anything!'
Why even post it then?