"Rat" comments... grrrr!

[LilMissy]

I don't like Missy being called a rat, but she does have several nicknames with the word mouse, such as Missy Mouse, Lil Miss Mouse and Miss Mouse Mouse. Mice are little and cute just like her though, it suites her

[QuickSilver]

I take it in the spirit it was intended. If someone is trying to be funny, or laughing at Thor, I will usually chuckle along with, because Thor is a funny little dog. He makes me laugh all the time and I love that about him. I think calling dogs rats is rude, and usually the person is saying "I don't like small dogs". Too bad for them, they are missing out.

I will also say that sometimes Thor decides to bark his fool head off at a stranger, and I am always greatful when they joke about him being a guard dog and such, rather than sneering at my poor dog handling skills.

On the flip side, I do find myself exclaiming over big dogs that they look like moose, horses, bears, etc. Their owners are probably pretty tired of those jokes too.

[coolbar]

Alfie has been called a rat before, it doesn't bother him nor me.

He is King Rat, as he has proved with his hunting skills.

Last week we had a gas fitter here to move our cooker, he was hopping and skipping as Alfie was having a sniff, then he made the fatal mistake, he moved his foot out to push him away,Alfie doesn't like that and got stuck into his ankle.

The fitter told me he was a menace, to which I replied, " what what you do to me if I kicked you in the face"

End of argument.

Straight after though Alfie was friendly again, such a trusting little soul, but beware anyone one who wants to use him for target practice.

[JenniLeigh]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

I have also had someone call Layla a rat- and then he pretended to kick her- not sure what that was for- it was the most upset i've ever been abotu something someone has said- i cried- ridiculous, i know. But the fact that he made a gesture to hurt her upset me a lot. You are not overreacting- people see small dogs- have preconceived ideas and think they are allowed to voice their opinion.

OMG...I don't even know what I'd do, I know I get crazy if someone I don't know tries to pick one of my puppies up, but assaulting them like that.. Sorry you had to encounter such an a$$hole.

[coolbar]

It's not a problem to me Jenni

Alfie is more than capable of sticking up for himself, as you say, the a** hole got his cummapance, he had a lovely bruise on his ankle.

[BLowry]

I have had my girls called "rats" before...one of our very close friends calls them rat dogs...He LOVES the girls...plays and holds them...There is SO much going on in this world that I don't let something like that bother me. AND...Yorkies were actually bred to catch rats and mice.

[ChantalB]

I think some people just don't "think" before them talk...

Don't worry about it.

[kezza]

Well I find it really offensive when smart ass strangers on the street point at my Pixie, laugh, and call her a Rat..I think its just plain rude! but then i was brought up to mind my manners and to always be polite and respectful to others..its not so much that they liken her to a Rat that upsets me, as i love Rats as I do most animals, its just that they use it in a negative way..as if she were a dirty 'sewer' rat or something..I have heard it so many times with my last yorkie of 14 yrs and now Pixie aged 2..I guess i'm just tired of this 'Joke'.

[navywifey]

I have a 1 yr old 3lb chihuahua, shes black tan and tiny bits of white on her... and LOTS of my friends, neighbors and family called her a rat. but not in a mean way. I dont get upset about it really anymore, i know they are just joking. The first time i heard someone call her a rat it really offended me, and i defended my little furbaby... and they appologized and explained she was extreamly tiny and they didnt mean it. they dont do it anymore!

[chachi]

Mine are the cutest little rats I have ever seen. Yes they have been called rats and it doesnt bother me

[Duncansmom]

I have had this happen to my 3 as well, and the mama bear comes out in me! I just say " well you should hear what they say about you!!!"
That shuts um up!

[greyacresmom]

Really??

I am not an uncaring soul...how could I be with 10 pups living with me right now. But I have so much going on in my life..I have bills that I have to pay..economy is so bad right now where I live..my friends have been layed off at work..(20 this week). I would not even let that stuff bother me. You have the absolute purest love..your dogs love for you. Does it really matter how closed minded these people are? Why do you care? Don't let it hurt you. I also would never stoop to their level and call them names. If I HAD to say something: I would go along the lines of " I feel so sorry for you. To not even no the difference between a dog and a rat...how sad..."

Best wishes...

[viviansnickers]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Oh man, I'm sorry you had to go through that! I would have pretended to shoot him.

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Well I think it's ok when it's your family member or a friend that you know loves your baby, but when a complete stranger says it? It's usually as an insult.

Imagine if someone said the "so ugly it's cute" comment to you, and you said back "yea, so's your kid"

You're so freakin hilarious that my eyes are watering form laughing so hard!! Loves the horses a$$ one too!! Hahahahahahaha LOL LOVE IT

[Gypsy & Me]

When one of my girls gets offended at being called a rat then I'll be offended...

[Jemma]

Oh gosh, every time my cousin comes over, he calls my Jemma a little house rat. lol. I always just say, yea and a darn cute one too. But it doesn't offend me because I know what I have.