Dog Nativity in the Park

I don't see it as exactly blasphemous, but portraying a dressed up dog as a religious figure doesn't sit comfortably with me.

Animals in general hate being laughed at particularly dogs who simply don't understand why they are being made fun of. They should never be dressed up or ridiculed in any this way, it is not cute (awful word) or funny, it is shameful and cruel, even a bow is ridiculous.

I'm not a fan of pets being dressed up generally, but I think this is a group of dogs and their walkers who enjoy their meetups. When we had dogs, we were part of an informal meetup group, and both dogs and their owners enjoyed the socialising.
I think in this instance, all participants would have enjoyed the occasion, especially if the canine participants were suitably rewarded for their involvement! (my dogs would do anything for a treat, and then demand an encore)!
So this instance I think was a daft but light-hearted nod to the festive season.

Bay Humbug indeed Dinahmo

Horrible in so many ways.

I've just had another look at those photos. I think that some of you are not looking clearly at them. Most of the dogs are wearing the coats that they would ordinarily wear in winter to keep them dry. Some of them have additional embelishments but they are not being dressed up as some of you suggest.

Bah humbug!

One word - ridiculous!

I think the entire thing is so beautiful!

I think the owners must regard it as just a bit of fun but the dogs look ridiculous rather than aww how cute.

I don’t dress my dogs up. My little spaniel is groomed short so she has a dog coat for very cold weather. My labs ancestors were bred to swim alongside their owners fishing boats in Labrador cold seas so the coat he was born in is more than good enough. He likes nothing more than being outside in the cold.
I’m surprised but pleased at the strength of anti dressing up dogs feeling in the thread.
Interesting point about Christianity but I suspect most people wouldn’t see it as blasphemous

I do like dogs but think a dog nativity is ridiculous! Each to their own but it's a definite NO from me !

FFS.......whatever next!?!?!?

How tasteless, and verging on blasphemy, too.

BlueBelle

Nothing to do with dog lover or not but I hate to see dogs dressed up and made fools of
It just makes me cringe
Flak jacket and hard hat on as I get behind the sofa

Well I for one wouldn't fire anything at you except admiration for being brave enough to risk offending the "animals are just humans in disguise" brigade! If people really must have pets, they should at least look after them as animals and not anthropomorphised dolls.

I've just had a meaningful conversation with my dog to ask his opinion. He says, " Good luck to them", but he hopes they were suitably bribed before and after.

MissAdventure

I think it's as well to remember a dog's idea of fun isn't always the same as a humans.

They're not an extention of their owner, but separate, sentient beings.

Exactly.
Can you just imagine if tables were turned. Dogs dressing humans as dogs 😱 for some bizarre doggy ritual?
Surely there should be equal respect as sentient beings?

Maybe not for people who aren't dog lovers.

I'd have thought that it would be dog lovers who'd be the most appalled? I'm a lifelong animal lover; active in a local animal charity and I detest seeing any animal dressed up, laughed at and humiliated in the name of "fun".

karmalady

Ridiculous

Turns the nativity into a complete farce and how disrespectful

Making mock of Christian beliefs and of the dogs

Exactly Karmalady, utterly ridiculous. How on earth does this represent the true meaning of Christmas?! Poor dogs.

Poor dogs !

Humanising dogs is so disrespectful to them. Let them enjoy being dogs. Some dogs need coats for warmth but dressing them in silly costumes is very sad.

I'm with you Bluebelle and Karmalady.

My Beloved is talking about buying a winter coat for our four legged thug and I'm trying to talk her out of it, he's already got a self grown waterproof coat.

I think it's as well to remember a dog's idea of fun isn't always the same as a humans.

They're not an extention of their owner, but separate, sentient beings.

alisonsmith4

An absolute travesty. How disrespectful. The Nativity is not a joke but a fundamental of the Christian faith. I can’t see such disrespect to their traditions tolerated by Jewish and Muslim friends.

My thoughts exactly. Thankyou for saying it so well.

I know it’s meant to be a bit of fun, but the dogs don’t look particularly engaged and their owners don’t look very jolly either. I don’t like seeing dogs dressed up, they’re capable of so much more than this. Given the freedom to do so, they are wonderful at expressing their own individual personalities - not much chance of that in this scenario.

Karmalady:
thanks for expressing so well just what I wanted to say.
A joyful Christmas to you and yours!