Thursday, December 17, 2015

Confessions of A Dog Parent Snob

   Well, it’s happened. I’m not sure how or exactly when, but I’ve become a dog parent snob. Actually, I do know how, but not exactly when. It’s been over the past two years of blogging. I have become a judgmental dog parent snob. Let me explain.
   It hit me like a ton of bricks last week when I had Bentley at the vet. A man came in with his dog on a rope for its leash. It had no collar on, just a rope with a loop on one end that was serving as both collar and leash. I found myself judging this man and what kind of dog parent that he was. It disturbed me that I knew nothing of this guy or his situation but felt I could judge him. Let me tell you, I was very disappointed in myself. After all, he did have the dog at the vet so it was obvious that he cared. I might be able to let it go if this was the first time that I’d been guilty of dog parent snobbery. Unfortunately, it’s not.
Hand shaping a heart around me and Bentley Basset
   
It happens whenever I see someone let their dog run loose. I want to go shake them and tell them how extremely dangerous it is to allow your dog to roam. I don’t want to accidentally run over their dog when I’m driving and it darts onto the street. That would be devastating to everyone involved. People do mean things to dogs that poop in their yards or turn over their garbage cans. Why on earth would a dog parent take that chance? #NotCool
   It happens when I see someone with their dog riding loose in the car or God-forbid in the bed of their pick-up truck. Do they have any idea what will happen if they are involved in a wreck or the dog decides to jump out of the vehicle? I read just the other day about a Boxer that was tethered in the bed of a truck and jumped out. The poor thing was dragged behind the vehicle for no telling how long. Tragically, it did not survive. #ThereShouldBeALaw
Quote from The Returns by M. K. Clinton
   I have bitten my tongue when I see someone in the store buy a really poor quality of dog food. Don’t they know how to read ingredient labels? Their poor dog is eating a low-quality food that will impact its life expectancy. In reality, I know it might be all that their budget affords them. #ShameOnMe
   Don’t get me started on people that let their kids ride on the back of their dogs or torment them by pulling ears or tails. You know that dog is going to retaliate someday and find itself dumped in a shelter or worse. It is so simple to teach a child how to respect a dog and avoid any problems. #RideAHorse
Pierre Westie and Bentley Basset getting belly rubs
   When I hear people scream or see them strike their dogs, a little part of me dies inside. There is not another animal that loves so whole-heartily as a dog. They trust us with their lives and that is an awesome responsibility. My first instinct is to tell them the dog can hear much better than they do and yelling is uncalled for, but I realize they already know that. As far as hitting their dog, I will speak up if the situation allows. I find myself believing that some humans don’t deserve to have a dog. These are two incidents where if they make me a dog parent snob, so be it.
   I guess the most offensive thing I have encountered is someone turning their dog over to a shelter because it has gotten old or they have gotten tired of it. Really? I feel bad that I secretly hope those people are dumped in a nursing home and left alone when they get too old to be considered fun or cute anymore. #SorryNotSorry
Quote from The Returns 2~Showstoppers by M. K. Clinton
   I know that I am not the perfect pet parent. I make mistakes and I recognize them the moment that I make them. The difference is that I try really hard to do better every day. I read and research foods, medical information, and toys. The more I know, the better I do. My solution to the problems I’ve mentioned is to try to teach people in an entertaining way to be better pet parents. That is the purpose of Barking from the Bayou. I am also working on the whole dog parent snob thing.
   Understanding and having empathy can make such a difference in how knowledge is received. I think next time that I see someone doing one of the cringe-worthy things listed, I’ll just smile and hand them my business card. Hopefully, I will gain a friend that is open to becoming a partner in their dog’s life. *By the way, most of this applies to cat parents, too. ☺
   Have you found yourself guilty of dog parent snobbery? Share your stories. #IsItJustMe

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38 comments :

  1. Omgosh. When someone turns over a pet to a shelter or posts it on CraigsList "rehoming fee, need to get rid of asap" - I DIE.
    That's how we found BabyBelle Pug! A lady was just getting rid of her on CraigsList. She met us at a truck stop on the side of the road with BabyBelle and all her things. It was just so sad. But we gained a beautiful little angel.
    I loathe people who throw out pets like garbage. Their should be laws on who can own pets!!!

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    1. With you all the way on this! many dogs (cats too) who are sold or given away on Craigslist become used as bait dogs in dog fighting. Yes, there really are people who are NOT worthy of the unconditional love and companionship. I wong feel badly about feeling and believing this.

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  2. I'm guilty! I'm definitely a dog mom snob. I'm really passionate about training dogs humanely and I definitely judge people who use horrible aversive punishment. It makes me really sad. I do have empathy for people to a point, though. I try to help people when I can. People can be frustrating though!

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  3. I'm afraid even rabbit owners can be snobs too,there are several rabbit groups on Facebook and all to often a new own joins the group looking for advice and help to become better parents to their rabbits and all they get is belittled ,bullied and made to feel bad that they end up giving up their rabbits when all they need is a little education,empathy and understanding to become the pet parents they want to be,after all we all need to start somewhere.I am only a member of one group and luckily all of us feel the same way and when someone needs help and advice we are all there for them.whereas in the other groups they have a diehard belief that all pet rabbit should be house rabbit and able to free range and that anything else is sacrilege and that if you rabbit lives outside you are evil and bad owners.
    All of that is so not true a pet rabbit can live outside very happily if it has the right housing and enough Space to run about.I have seen people convert whole sheds into a rabbit palace for their buns with a bird aviary attached as an outside run and that is a perfect place for an outside bun to live.But if you live somewhere where you get hot summers and bitterly cold winters,or you have a lot of predators like you have in the US then it's better for the buns to live inside.I think that those factors have to be looked at when deciding to house you bunnies.The only thing I get angry about is when you give good advice they don't take it and have a attitude where they don't care ,xxx Rachel

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  4. There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for all dogs and questioning those who don't seem to be acting as responsible pet parents. I'm not 100% convinced that makes you a snob.

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  5. Oh yes, my peeps feel just the same but I don't finks that makes you a snob, just a very caring dog owner.....and as a pup, I wishes there were more peeps just like you!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  6. Mom says it happens over time and with knowledge. She takes for granted all the things she has learned in her life of being a dog mom, we learn stuff daily here in Blogville. We often forget the average person doesn't get all this information and often has no idea what they are doing really isn't the best. We are all spoiled from all the good things we have and have learned. The best thing to do we find it so educate others when we have the chance. Start slowly and build on what you tell them. It is weird feeling like we know so much and have so much, but we do sure love it and are feeling fortunate. On the other paw, some people are just stupid or don't care, and that is very, very, sad.

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  7. I hear ya... my tongues sometimes is bloody so often I have to bite it... I try not to judge people and I try to be strong and silent... but that woman who bought cat litter boxes because she was to lazy to bring her (smaller than small) dogs out was the straw wo broke the camels and my back...

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  8. I'm not a snob.... yet.... But, I can't help but point out to people that their dog is meant to be on a lead in particular areas for a reason - like Ticks! I don't mind if I tick them off, I'm just worried for the dog.
    Annette @PetsAreFound

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  9. We agree with all he things you mentioned and admit to feeling the same way - part of it is realizing too that some of our love our furbabies as family members on the same level as we love children. There are many people though that just consider a dog as something to guard the house or something to play with once in a blue moon they never really consider them as part of the family.

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  10. Great post and something to really think about! Judging perhaps gets in the way of knowing. What we don't know we must label in order to determine if it's a risk (dats our fight or flight survival stuff). It just is, and so now what are we going to do with this new knowledge. We has choices, but need to know da outcome. If it's to ensure da animal is safe den we can probably work through dat, and while not in da way we would care for an animal, at least we'll has tools and an outcome in mind. If our focus is unintentionally on da human I think dats where da judging comes in. We ALL do it - can't help it, but I totally dig dat you is causing us to stop and think about it!!

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  11. It is very hard not to be a snob but I don't really think it is being a snob. The not knowing is the hard part. We just don't know the circumstances in most cases and so that makes it hard but I think most of the time people just don't know what is the best thing to do for their animals. I like the idea that when you see things, to hand them your card. That is great. I am the same way about cats and I am horrible about it.

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  12. Do I find myself being a Dog Parent Snob?? Ha! Oh let me count the ways! My poor husband has been embarrassed by me several times in public as I lecture someone about having their dog off leash 20 feet from the road. I don't get upset about pet food that may be low quality, it's better than table scraps, but I can't hold my tongue when it comes to pet safety! Glad I'm not alone!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  13. Ahhh, I am the EXACT same way!!!!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  14. WE TOTALLY understand.... we know how Mom Worried until we had our fence up.... here in Pencil Vane E Ah... we NEEDED to be OUT, fur obvious reasons, butt we were NOT safe... it drove us all crazy... and when we see others RUNNING FREE... we CRINGE fur them...
    We wish that peeps would care fur their fur babies as well as they SHOULD be cared for.

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  15. Yes, yes, yes....... and in many of the same situations as you describe above. After losing 2 dogs to cancer this year and knowing what they looked like on the outside to others who did not know their situations, I am trying really hard to NEVER judge anyone at the vet again.....

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  16. We guess mom is officially a dog snob. You should hear her HBO words we cover our ears
    Lily & Edward

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  17. We agree with every single word in this post! Mom is exactly the same as your Mom. And our pawrents worry so much about us too. We're moving to a brand new house next month BUTT Mom and Dad won't let me and the pack move until there is a 6-foot fence put up and a screen enclosure over part of the backyard to keep us from being dinner for the birds of prey in the new neighborhood.

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  18. It's not just you!!! I am also guilty as charged!!

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  19. OMD! Mom thinks the same thing about herself.

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  20. Our mom says she could have easily written this exact post. Only we don't think it is snobby so much as it is educated. Not everyone is educated to love and appreciate how wonderful doggies (and kitties) are and what a wonderful addition they can be to someone's lives. They do not understand that these "animals" can make life better.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  21. I'm right there with you. Heck, I have to bite my tongue with my own family sometimes! If you don't approach people the right way, it can really backfire. I think giving out your card is a great idea.
    I always remember the time I was at the vet's office and people were picking up their cat from spaying and as they rambled on said that they'd be back to get the cat declawed. I was horrified! My only hope was that my vet's office would refuse to do it.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  22. Well said. It's very hard to balance our desire to see every dog be treated as well as we treat out own with compassion for their people as well.

    I try to remember what a stupid dog person I was. I actually considered having my first dog sleep outside in a dog house because that's what I knew from childhood. A rescue I called about adopting cussed me out.

    And my first two dogs definitely paid the price for my stupidity.

    Here's the thing: I've learned. I've gotten better. And the lessons I've learned have helped me when fostering so other dogs have benefited as well.

    So continue to encourage and pray for everyone to do better. And hope that at least some of those people who are stupid like I was get better over time.

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  23. There are a couple of people around here who just leave their dogs in the yard. I so want to go in the yard and invite them to join our pack.

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  24. I am very much a judgemental pet parent. I dont mean to be...it just keeps happening. I feel the same way about all of these. Its really bad when it comes to my parents...i grew up with farm dogs...but now i cant imagin dogs living outside. I love the idea of handing ppl a business card, maybe they dont know all the danagers and could learn from a few post! Good read!!!!

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  25. I am very much a judgemental pet parent. I dont mean to be...it just keeps happening. I feel the same way about all of these. Its really bad when it comes to my parents...i grew up with farm dogs...but now i cant imagin dogs living outside. I love the idea of handing ppl a business card, maybe they dont know all the danagers and could learn from a few post! Good read!!!!

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  26. I have zero patience or tolerance for anyone who is mean to a dog. None. They don't deserve to have a dog. And I totally judge when people let them loose in dangerous situations. The other day we were driving and someone was walking on a busy highway and the dog didn't have a leash. What!! Or if people tie them out in the back of the house and that is where they live. Oh it makes me so sad because they need love and family!! You are not the only one.

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  27. Well, sometimes it's good to be a pet parent snob. 'Specially when it's for the good of the pet. Educating humans about proper pet care is important. :)

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  28. Haha so guilty! We have neighbors who feed the worst food and let their dog run loose in the parking lot and I judge so hard.

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  29. I guess I can be considered a cat parent snob! But, then again, I also cringe when I see someone driving around with their dog in the bed of a pick up truck, which we see a lot of in the deep South.

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  30. Such a nice story - I also cannot believe people re-home senior dogs. I cannot think of anything more depressing when they do rely on us for everything. Thanks for sharing this.

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  31. I can definitely relate to this! I try to remind myself that I have to separate things that are simply annoying to me because I would make a different choice and things that are actually dangerous for the animal. People tell me about how they need to declaw their cat all the time and I do what I can to talk them out of it without looking like a psycho.
    - Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net

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  32. it's ok to be a snob, it means you care deeply for these animals. I love the pictures and quotes! keep on being a snob!!

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  33. That's the hard part about education. Once you have it, everyone else's mistakes stand out so much more! Learning how to tactfully make suggestions has been a little helpful for me, but a lot of people don't want to hear it. I try to find comfort in the fact that my dogs have it better when I can't help others.

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  34. I often have to bite my tongue these days. I find myself giving advice and sometimes not always appropriate. I find I know so much more than I did 3 or 4 years ago when I started researching Talent Hounds thanks to all my expert friends.

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  35. I guess at times I fall into this category. Usually it is when I read posts from people using more modern training methods (sometimes called positive only) complaining about something their dog does (at time dangerous behavior for them or the dog) that they have not seemed to improve over the course of years using the same ineffective training methods. It floors me as to what is considered acceptable behavior for some dogs these days because the humans do not want to do what may be necessary to correct the behavior. I just want to shake them, but usually I just shake my head and shut up.

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  36. Clearly you are a warm, sensitive caring paw-rent. Well done. Bentley and Pierre are very blessed.

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