Dog Phobics-- I GIVE UP!

[Disney]

First of all, there is no need to get so angry. You post a rant on a forum you're going to get different replies.

My judge the breed not the deed was aimed at the owners of dogs who are considered dangerous. If we don't judge a whole breed as bad, we have to acknowledge that dogs can simply lose it. A perfectly friendly dog can turn vicious. I don't care how cute or sweet the dog is, I am extremely uncomfortable around non restricted dogs. There's a lady in my town who breeds Collies. They're 'so well trained' she doesn't need to put them on a lead. Uhm...No. You (plural) do not get to decide whether your pet is going to be an imperative force to someone else's health/life.

Got a little off topic there sorry.

Like somebody said, your store: your rules. It's not the same as on the street, you hold no legal requirements to make sure your dog doesn't attack (I think..Someone correct I'm if I'm wrong.) If you want to keep your dog in your store with you there will always be people who will not come to your store because of it. It may be frustrating, but it is important to understand that there are a lot of people turned off by 'friendly' dogs. If a dog is coming for me, I don't wait to decipher if he's running in a happy way or a pissed off way. Even though it can make me look foolish, I literally saved a finger using this method.

Just trying to give you some perspective into why she reacted the way she did, so maybe some hurt can come off as it most likely wasn't a personal thing against your dog.

Again, this isn't written in an aggressive or intentionally judgmental way. This is merely my opinion and I hope it's given you some insight into what hers may have been.

[Disney]

Originally Posted by MizMaRLeysMoM86

Her store, her rules... I don't think you were in the wrong at all ! I actually would prefer to shop at a store that had a furry friend or two to greet me This lady you are speaking about really ticks me off. I could understand someone maybe being startled if they had never been in your store before. But for her to have been in there before and KNOW.. and to be all dramatic about it .. just doesnt sit right with me. I have been in mom and pop stores where the kids are being little heathens .. so skin kids are more of a problem in stores than furkids if you ask me. I have never been irritated/nervous/scared by a special needs dog in the gocery store or an "Uni" in a costume store.. but i have wanted to drop kick the parents of the screaming crying and running around like a maniac kids in the department store. All in all, I would like to see more animals out in public store and less kids LoL
I have a little girl that lives in my tower that is terrified of dogs. But guess what dogs she isn't scared of.. my little 5 lbs furbabies. Her father is amazed by how she acts around them. She pets them, squeezes and hugs them and they let her and give her kisses right back. Now this should put that womans fear in perspective. A little girl about the age of 2 who is more likely to have an irrational fear of dogs than this grown woman... and this littler girl is gaga over my two little ones... kinda makes you wonder who the real baby is huh??

See, this mentality frightens me. They're not furkids they're animals. Cute animals, yes. Loving animals, yes. But not people.

Someone who is afraid of dogs doesn't make them a baby anymore than someone who is afraid of spiders or heights or the dark or cows or elephants or moths.

Anthropomorphism shouldn't extend so far as to verbally abuse someone who doesn't like your pet. Not your child, your pet. It is completely different if someone cried at the sight of your child than someone who froze up at the sight of a dog.

Sorry to single you out, your post was the straw that broke the camels back. Dogs are not people and no one has the right to decide that my life is less important than your 'child being omg totally adorable.)

TL; DR.

Point: If someone doesn't like your 'kid' it doesn't mean they're an evil animal hater, it means they recognize that dogs aren't fashion accessorized toddlers.

[MizMaRLeysMoM86]

Originally Posted by Disney

See, this mentality frightens me. They're not furkids they're animals. Cute animals, yes. Loving animals, yes. But not people.

Someone who is afraid of dogs doesn't make them a baby anymore than someone who is afraid of spiders or heights or the dark or cows or elephants or moths.

Anthropomorphism shouldn't extend so far as to verbally abuse someone who doesn't like your pet. Not your child, your pet. It is completely different if someone cried at the sight of your child than someone who froze up at the sight of a dog.

Sorry to single you out, your post was the straw that broke the camels back. Dogs are not people and no one has the right to decide that my life is less important than your 'child being omg totally adorable.)

TL; DR.

Point: If someone doesn't like your 'kid' it doesn't mean they're an evil animal hater, it means they recognize that dogs aren't fashion accessorized toddlers.

First off, if I say its my furkid, then its my furkid... second of all... your comment about no one having the right to decide that your life is less important that my dog being OmG ToTALLy adOraBlE.... ummm... sorry but if you are a complete stranger in my store.. then yes my dogs comfort and well being will be met before your fear of dogs.. you dont like it LEAVE my store simple as that... So sorry my mentality "frightens" you .. I guess some of us here at YT are a frightening bunch because I can count a handful of people on here who would agree this lady must be a glutton for punishment and a loony if she knew the dog was there and still came inside... PUH-Leez...

[Disney]

^^ She may have had a panic attack.

And anthropomorphism does weird me out. You can treat your dog however you want as long as you don't abuse them, it's not my business. My opinion is it's really creepy to treat your dog as a child and it usually means the person doesn't have fulfilling enough human relationships. << My opinion from personal experiences...Weird personal experiences O.o

If I choose not to go into your store because of said uncomfortableness, or have a panic attack, or even change my mind about your dog and you decide to post it online where a bunch of people compare adults to infants for not loving your precious babies? That's fine too. Me saying that people who coddle their pets, put them in shoes and call them my babies are creepy? No different to what you are doing. It's all a matter of opinion. This is the net, I'm sure the one thing we can agree on is there are far worse things we could be debating about.

I was merely trying to give some insight to 'the other side' for the OP. As I have previously stated, she can do as she likes, and so can I. If you want to bitch about people not liking your dog being all over them, fine. But the flip side is I am welcome to disagree with you, even think that these people arr as pathetic as some individuals appear to regard this woman.

I'm not accusing anyone in particular of anything. My opinion is directed at a population who are irresponsible with their pets or the opposite of neglectful. I'm aware this sounds like it's directed at people on here, but it's really not. I don't know anyone on here. I'm just going on avatars..That's not knowing someone well enough to judge them.

[Misti1]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Well it happened yet again. A long time customer came in today who I KNOW knows about Uni. Uni went trotting up to her to say Hi! practically smiling at her. She freaked out and screamed NONONONO!!! And get this, she used her kid, about 3-4 years old as a human shield to block the little furry 5 lbs monster from getting to her. She hid behind her kid b/c she thought she was in danger! Can you believe that?? And this lady is like 6 ft tall.

So me and bf roll out eyes at eachother, and call Uni back. She cowered down into her bed, like what did I do?? Then this lady tells me, Put her away put her away! So I go to get her, and I tell her, she's not going to hurt you, she just wanted to say hi. As soon as I get Uni and put her behind the counter, what does she do? She walks out. Not a thank you, not a sorry, nothing. why couldn't she have just walked out in the first place?

I'm so sick of people acting like this. i understand if you really have a phobia, and you're not expecting a dog to be in a shop, but my long time customers that know? Why are they so surprised? Well we are closing up shop for good soon, so I am in so-don't-care mode now. No more holding my tongue.

I'm not real clear as to what your business is and what you sell, but anyone who doesn't like a yorkie.....specially our Uni...we don't NEED as a customer.

[MsFamousHepburn]

I'm sorry about you closing up shop, Capt Noonie! I hope you have an awesome chance to open a new store in a better location, with great customers who appreciate Uni!

BTW, I love my Furkids and have several "fulfilling enough human relationships".

[MizMaRLeysMoM86]

Originally Posted by Disney

^^ She may have had a panic attack.

And anthropomorphism does weird me out. You can treat your dog however you want as long as you don't abuse them, it's not my business. My opinion is it's really creepy to treat your dog as a child and it usually means the person doesn't have fulfilling enough human relationships. Are you kidding me?!?!?! << My opinion from personal experiences...Weird personal experiences O.o

If I choose not to go into your store because of said uncomfortableness, or have a panic attack, or even change my mind about your dog and you decide to post it online where a bunch of people compare adults to infants for not loving your precious babies? That's fine too. Me saying that people who coddle their pets, put them in shoes and call them my babies are creepy? No different to what you are doing. It's all a matter of opinion. This is the net, I'm sure the one thing we can agree on is there are far worse things we could be debating about.

I was merely trying to give some insight to 'the other side' for the OP. As I have previously stated, she can do as she likes, and so can I. If you want to bitch about people not liking your dog being all over them, fine. But the flip side is I am welcome to disagree with you, even think that these people arr as pathetic as some individuals appear to regard this woman.

I'm not accusing anyone in particular of anything. My opinion is directed at a population who are irresponsible with their pets or the opposite of neglectful. I'm aware this sounds like it's directed at people on here, but it's really not. I don't know anyone on here. I'm just going on avatars..That's not knowing someone well enough to judge them.

I feel that you are saying that "us people" that put sweaters on our dogs ( to keep them warm ) and shoes on their feet ( to protect their tiny little paws from the elements i.e. hot sidewalks, salt on sidewalks that eat at their feet, freezing ice ) that we are neglectful/irresponsible in some kind of fashion... is this what you are saying?? Also saying that people that treat their animals like kids/family are lacking some kind of "real human relationship"??? Some of the greatest people on here, that will tell you that their dogs are family , have loving spouses, friends and whatever great human relationship you can have. What is wrong with claiming a dog as family.. and showering it with love as you would a child? If that is wrong then I really really don't want to be right....

[Disney]

I pointedly said that was my opinion based on personal experiences. From my personal experiences I gauge that people who need to treat a dog as anything more than a beloved family pet have other issues going on.

..In another thread I said jumpers (in the US I think they're called sweatshirts?) I have no problem with as they are needed for comfort and warmth. Well your dog wouldn't need shoes if you didn't take them out on a freezing cold sidewalk would they?

And there is nothing wrong with showering your pets with love. I adore my cat and dog. They are very spoiled, very special little creatures. They are my pets. Not my children. I would not risk my business because someone doesn't like my cat . If someone doesn't like him, fine. My dog is the sweetest most gentle thing in the world. Would I let him run loose in a public place? No. there is a huge chasm between loving your pet as a pet and loving your pet as anything more than that. I love Walt and Terry, but I am very aware they are not people, they could snap, and it is my responsibility to make sure no one gets hurt my them. I recognize all these things. Doesn't mean I don't shower my pets with love and of course I don't think they'd hurt anyone. But I have to acknowledge that they are animals. The sweetest dog in the world can randomly turn rabid.

[MsFamousHepburn]

Originally Posted by MizMaRLeysMoM86

I feel that you are saying that "us people" that put sweaters on our dogs ( to keep them warm ) and shoes on their feet ( to protect their tiny little paws from the elements i.e. hot sidewalks, salt on sidewalks that eat at their feet, freezing ice ) that we are neglectful/irresponsible in some kind of fashion... is this what you are saying?? Also saying that people that treat their animals like kids/family are lacking some kind of "real human relationship"??? Some of the greatest people on here, that will tell you that their dogs are family , have loving spouses, friends and whatever great human relationship you can have. What is wrong with claiming a dog as family.. and showering it with love as you would a child? If that is wrong then I really really don't want to be right....

Some people just don't get it. And anyone who has ever had the pleasure of owning one of these sweeties knows that they are very sensitive to the elements!

As a vegetarian and occasional animal rights activist, I think I'm quite an informed and responsible pet parent.

[Disney]

Okay, we're going down the troll road. You guys caught me! On the sly I torture animals for fun, mess with cattle and I'm actually originally from the Planet Anton.

Seriously though, this is my opinion, please don't assume I don't know how to take care and love my pets because I view them as animals not people. Terry is a yorkie (teapot over here!) and he is a very much loved family pet.

[Disney]

Sorry I didn't realize you edited your post to omit the comment you made about me. I take back my last post.

By the way, I love your name MsHepburn. I love it when I see people with cute internet aliases.

[MizMaRLeysMoM86]

Originally Posted by MsFamousHepburn

Some people just don't get it. And anyone who has ever had the pleasure of owning one of these sweeties knows that they are very sensitive to the elements!

As a vegetarian and occasional animal rights activist, I think I'm quite an informed and responsible pet parent.

I don't have kids.. and I know that my furbabies are not humans ( WHAT?!?! next thing you are gonna tell me is there is no santa claus!!!) but they are the closest thing I have right now.. and may ever have, you never know... And I am with you on the "comical" part... some people just don't get it , you're right... I'm just glad to be one of those people that does "get it" .. it makes for a lot more love in my life .. to add to my meaningful , fufilling human relationships

[Disney]

I was in no way saying you didn't have a lot of love in your life, so please don't say I don't just because you believe in one puppy parenting way and I believe in another. I specifically said quite a few times that I was basing my opinions on personal experiences. You are out and out implying I am somehow missing 'love' from my pets. If I misunderstood please correct me. If not, think about what you just said to a seventeen year old girl and be ashamed of yourself. Nothing I said was a personal attack and I said that repeatedly, made a few lame jokes and even tried to be friendly so you would know I wasn't judging you.

If I came across that way, I apologize. However I stand by my opinion on anthropomorphism. Doesn't mean my pets are not a huge part of my life, and for that matter, doesn't mean I am totally satisfied with my human relationships.

I gave you plenty of material to attack me on, but I'm assuming you will take the high road and not use it.

[MsFamousHepburn]

Originally Posted by Disney

Sorry I didn't realize you edited your post to omit the comment you made about me. I take back my last post.

By the way, I love your name MsHepburn. I love it when I see people with cute internet aliases.

I didn't see the jumpers=sweatshirts in your terminology until after I had posted, which is why I edited the comment. We all love our Yorkies here, whether they are our "furkids" or beloved pets, so let's just focus on what brought us all here in the first place . The common love for precious companions!

And thanks, being an Audrey Hepburn fan, I choose a s/n sort of "in honor" of her and her Yorkie, Mr. Famous.

[Disney]

It's amazing how two people can speak English and we can still start bickering over a language misunderstanding isn't it.

And I agree with you completely. Excellent post!