'crap owner guilt'

[AsahiGo]

Does anyone else get this? How do you deal with it?

I usually give her a bit of cheese.

Get over it and do something to make it better for my dog

whilst i realise my pup does not have the 'ideal' lifestyle, neither do I, so I figure we're in this shit together.

I usually give her a bit of cheese

We cuggle

aware is puke inducing

I walked ddog today for an hour and it’s cold and dark now so I am not taking him out again. He’s only small, he doesn’t need the exercise (although likes the mental stimulation) and I always feel like a bad owner when I do this!

I reassure myself that this is the best home he's had to date (multiple rehomes) but the competition isn't strong. I also remind myself that he lives a better life than 95% of dogs in this world.

Usually his needs take precedence, but occasionally my needs win out. No dog ever died from having a shorter than average walk from time to time.

And then I throw a ball for him, which is all he really cares about in life anyway.

Agree, my dog has a lovely life and he has 3 people who adore him so much. We talk to him all the time, play with him and he sleeps on beds so any guilt is offset by spoiling him stupid

I reassure myself that living in a loving family with a comfy sofa and cuddles on tap is miles better than most of the alternatives, and that he gets a good walk each day and plenty of company.

I'm happy I'm not the only one!

I remind myself that pooch is a lazy git who frankly doesn't want to walk any way unless it's precisely 15 degrees and brilliant sunshine but with a slight breeze, and we're going to the beach in exactly the route she wants. She also only likes cuddles on her terms, is invited but declines to sit on sofas, sleep on beds irrespective of the number of tummy rubs offered and really only sees us as walking food dispensers.

And that I love every last curmudgeon bone of her and she knows it. ❤️

^aww. Very sweet.

I've had a few bad days 'omg I'm the worst :'( what have I done? :'( I'm a dog-torturer :'( '
And the dh told me to stfu, the dogs' thriving, he's happy, and we can no longer see his vertebrate. So I can't be that bad.

Pooch is a very spoilt ex-streetdog, so I totally understand. I'm sure your dog is thriving and loved and so happy to be in your family

When my dog 'huffs' at me I think I am the worst owner in the world. Then I have to remind myself that he sleeps on my bed, gets the best expensive food I can afford, gets a fortune spent on him so he's not left alone for more than a couple of hours and lots more

Depends on how crap an owner you are really 🤔

@DarkMutterings - you mentioned in another post that you adopted a street dog. I know this sounds really thick, but how did that happen?! and was it in th UK?

@Raphael34 lol, I think others would give me a mixed response. Online (here) I'm probably a prime example of why idiots shouldn't have dogs. irl… I just care and panic too much. Overthink things.

Battendog's whole face has an expression of "it is SUCH a disappointment to find myself slumming it here. WHY aren't you better, human?" I put it down to getting him as a puppy. He has no idea how bad some dog's lives are!

Next time I am getting a lazy, grateful one

Pooch is a Hong Kong village dog, found with her sister and mother in the streets. She's actually very low maintenance because she comes from so little.

Sorry I should say I live here in HK. So we adopted through a local Rescue

Oh wow she's gorgeous! For some reason I envisioned Dante from Coco lol.

He's lying next to me on a furry throw and is in fact spoilt rotten he doesn't have a bad life in the slightest so I don't feel too guilty.

I always feel guilty even though I'm looking at my dog now, lying on the sofa, whilst I'm sat on an uncomfortable chair because I don't want to disturb him

Am actually reassured this is a "thing" . I have permanent dog guilt - this walk isn't long enough, this walk isn't interesting enough, is he bored ? Is he happy ? Is he too hot ? Is his bed in a draught? Should I walk him again ? And on and on ...... I have two children ........ I need to get a grip ......

@babyblackbird - you have just vocalised my thoughts. My kids say I'm far too soft and nice with our dog. Eldest told me he takes the piss out of me. He likes to sit on the windowsill like a cat and watch the world go by, which wouldn't be bad if he was little - he's a Labrador x husky. Had to close the curtains as he was going yampy at leaves going past (and headbutting the window). I felt bad afterwards and apologised to him. Kids sitting there rolling their eyes.