Fur babies!

Nanny27

Mollygo
But if you believe that an animal has dignity (not a sense of dignity) then why not treat it as such. The term baby is somewhat demeaning surely. My opinion only, I understand that others don't think the same.

The dog doesn’t know what dignity is. The dog only cares whether you’re a good to it person.
When I get home, whether I call “Where’s my baby?” or, “Where’s my Susie?” she rushes to me and waits to be stroked.
Does she have dignity?

Sometimes I’ll say, “Where’s my Susie-baby?” and she even rolls on her back so I’ll rub her tummy. Is that a sign of dignity?

But then, when visitors arrive and I say “Sit” and “Stay” and she does just that, with only a twitch of her tail. Is that showing dignity?

IMO if dogs feel they’re loved and well treated, whatever you call them, dogs don’t care about having dignity,
but if people love their dogs and treat them well and want to quantify that as dignity i.e. the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect there’s no harm in that either.

I agree, Mollygo. And how is 'baby' a demeaning term? I know some people who call their partners baby, or their grown-up children or grandchildren - is that demeaning too?

Mollygo

Colls

Most dog 'owners' have dogs because they are just amazing and unlike humans don't get upset about words used or such irrelevances!

👍

Dare I agree -and disagree with the naysayers?
Their animals mean so much to most people. I have seen “tough” men in tears in the vets waiting room and that doesn’t even come close to how much a dog, cat or budgie means to someone on their own.
If the Rainbow Bridge or thinking of their pooch or moggie as a substitute child brings them joy in life or comfort in death , what business is it of anybody else to “feel queasy” or to “cringe.”.

There’s ample research that confirms people who share their life with a dog or three, are healthier and less likely to be depressed

Iam64

There’s ample research that confirms people who share their life with a dog or three, are healthier and less likely to be depressed

Have lower blood pressure apparently though that one doesn't work for me.
Mentally healthier by far.

Dogs, and all other animals for that matter, possess an inate dignity as living creatures different to us. They have a separate nature which is not human- that's where their dignity lies.
Dogs are above all pack animals, and need to either be a leader or learn to follow their leader.
If you give the dog what it needs, food, protection, shelter etc then of course it will thrive, regardless.

I am not a lover of the term, "fur baby", but each to their own. I just wouldn't use the term myself. I don't do, "Rainbow Bridge," either but if it gives comfort, so be it. The thing that makes me cringe is when on animal groups, people speak as if they are their dogs using twee language. That drives me mad.
As for animals in a pushchair, I used my walker for my puppy until she could walk safely after vaccinations and unless she was injured, I'd not use it again. However, some breeds, like pugs, French bulldogs, etc have difficulties breathing so might need to travel on wheels after a shorter walk.
My last dog had neural myopathy so had he been less anxious about it, I would have taken him out and about on wheels because it would have been a change of view. Unfortunately he was too anxious about falling so we had to say goodbye. My biggest bugbear is putting animals through loads of surgery or medical intervention with terrible side effects to keep them alive. I think that is more for the well being of the owner rather than the animal. We can't explain to them why we are putting them through hell and give them choice so I would not do it.

The belief that domestic dogs are pack animals was based on wolves in a zoo and has been long discredited.
Your dog does not aim to take over the family and it doesn’t matter tuppence if he goes through the door first or sleeps on the sofa. Nowadays dogs are trained with rewards and understanding, not punishment and fear.

Discredited by who?

I recall an incident not long ago where a woman was dog walking a number of dogs and one turned round and attacked her and the rest followed suit.

She died.

Of course dogs are obedient and loyal if they are treated in the right way, but clearly these dogs had no loyalty to this woman and do attack their owners.

I realise this is going off topic but rewards and understanding don't always work in all circumstances.

All dogs are well behaved and friendly until they are not- but they are still dogs...

Iam64

There’s ample research that confirms people who share their life with a dog or three, are healthier and less likely to be depressed

The reason people with dogs are generally healthier and less depressed is because the only people owning dogs etc are people who like them and all the problems of living with one

As far as I am concernd (and DH) owning a dog would freak us out and lead to our early demise. We like to be free agents, able to do what we like whenever we like without having our style cramped by children, dogs, cats, hamster, or stick insects.

I am more than happy to admire, pat and be friendly with other people's children, dogs, cats, hamsters and stick insects, but owning one would raise my blood pressure, stress me out and I would be a lot less healthy.

For a survey like this to be reliable it should include ane equal sample of people who have to look after a dog but would be much happier if they didn't.

Who has a dog and thinks they would be much happier if they didn't? No-one I know. Every single dog owner I know can't even begin to imagine what their life would be like without a dog. Mine would be utterly meaningless.

Oh MOnica, based on this post, you’re clearly not someone who would have her life enhanced by sharing it with one, two or more dogs. I’m the opposite, my life is enhanced by my dogs, has been since my first dog, a bull mastiff when I was aged two.

I currently have a small, sweet, easy spaniel and a huge, happy Labrador. Well he’s happy most of the time but has a dislike of yappy terriers with no manners who run at him barking and shouting. He needs some handling on those occasions, despite gold standard obedience. He loves mud and water and sheds golden Labrador fur everywhere. He’s definitely not for the faint hearted or anyone who isn’t slightly dotty in their obsession with dogs 🐕😁

ViceVersa

Who has a dog and thinks they would be much happier if they didn't? No-one I know. Every single dog owner I know can't even begin to imagine what their life would be like without a dog. Mine would be utterly meaningless.

Yes indeed
Last year I had to put my lab with my trainer friend for several months after I broke my shoulder, then had abdominal surgery. I was told in no uncertain terms by the medics I could not recover and manage a big strong dog. I was desperately sad but managed my little spaniel. I was recently widowed, so adjusting to living alone in bereavement. My spaniel was a real comfort, and encouraged short walks early in treatment

Having had two dogs in the past and we may acquire another when we retire I can honestly say that I’m just as happy and mentally healthy without one.I think if you have them, you just get used to having one around.
I do think it could help people who live alone to have a cat or dog around the house.

ViceVersa

Who has a dog and thinks they would be much happier if they didn't? No-one I know. Every single dog owner I know can't even begin to imagine what their life would be like without a dog. Mine would be utterly meaningless.

Meaningless? Goodness me.
I do know two couple who would rather be dogless, both have DD’s who bought a dog during the pandemic as company, and then two years or so later went back to work so asked their parents to look after it for life!

Generally of course, a pet if a well behaved one lowers stress levels and are a comfort.
That’s nothing to do with phrases that do or don’t set our teeth on edge tho.

Oreo

ViceVersa

Who has a dog and thinks they would be much happier if they didn't? No-one I know. Every single dog owner I know can't even begin to imagine what their life would be like without a dog. Mine would be utterly meaningless.

Meaningless? Goodness me.
I do know two couple who would rather be dogless, both have DD’s who bought a dog during the pandemic as company, and then two years or so later went back to work so asked their parents to look after it for life!

Yes, meaningless. Is that so hard to understand? Is there nothing or no-one which would make your life meaningless if it wasn't around any more? I could do without many things - and many people - in my life, but it would be utterly joyless without a dog in it.
We lost our old Lab during lockdown, and the six months between that and getting a new Lab puppy were the longest I have ever been without a dog - and it was awful. Our life felt so empty without a dog in it.

I'm with MOnica- and no one is going to make me feel I miss out on anything because I don't have a dog.

I'm sick of being judged as less than a person for not wanting one...

Has anyone said that? I don't think they have. However, I see plenty of judging for those of us who have said we wouldn't be without a dog in our lives. This thread has just confirmed why I like dogs far more than people...

What I don't understand still is why people are hearing the phrase fur baby which annoys them so much because the only time I hear fur baby or rainbow bridge[ the latter far more than the former] mentioned is if I'm on a specific dog or cat facebook page.

I just don't know why people want to humanise dogs. Most dogs are so much nicer than many humans. They are loving, loyal and ask little of people.

I cringe at the expression fur babies.
Many people in my area have variations on Cockerpoos and dress them up in expensive costumes bought from the local grooming parlour .
They haven't a clue about dog training or any basic canine medical issues .
My family used to breed working dogs and I'm used to being hands on .
I don't want people to think of me as some sort of old fashioned Barbara Woodhouse .
I think Janet Street Porter described her as wearing ancient tweed skirts thickly coated with dog hair !
I once asked a lady if her pet was a dog or a bitch and she was appalled that I said bitch .
I notice that she happily uses the F word !

I guess that it's the latest fashion to call them fur babies and to dress them up as Hallowe'en pumpkins or Pirates !

Just by giving them a name, you are “humanising” them.
Dogs do not call each other names.
They don’t even know that dog is a noun by which humans have classified them, or that in scientific terms they are Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris.
Equally they don’t know or care if they’re a fur baby or not.

Apologies for the the "humanising". American word.

MayBee70
I know people refer to their pets as fur babies on social media but has anyone actually heard anyone say it in the real world?

Actually MayBee70 I have only heard it mentioned here on GN and because I don’t mind it, I’m still posting, rather than ignoring the thread and avoiding having to make myself cringe by repeating it or cringe every time a poster mentions it.

My question to follow yours.
Does everyone who seems to hear fur babies so often, pull faces or tell the speakers how it makes them feel?