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Dog Lovers - How Attached Are You To Your Animal?


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Poll: Dog Lovers - How Attached Are You To Your Animal? (35 member(s) have cast votes)

Do you take your dog with you when visiting friends of family?

  1. Yes, my dog has as much right to visit as do your children (2 votes [5.71%])

    Percentage of vote: 5.71%

  2. Yes, but only if I check with the homeowner (15 votes [42.86%])

    Percentage of vote: 42.86%

  3. Voted Never, dogs should be left home and it's silly and even rude to force them on someone else (18 votes [51.43%])

    Percentage of vote: 51.43%

Does it bother you when someone brings a dog to your home?

  1. No, I love dogs and they are usually better behaved than children (9 votes [25.71%])

    Percentage of vote: 25.71%

  2. Yes, dogs are unpredictable and unsanitary (5 votes [14.29%])

    Percentage of vote: 14.29%

  3. If my guest is attached to their dog, I guess I can put up with it (6 votes [17.14%])

    Percentage of vote: 17.14%

  4. Voted I think some folks have an unhealthy attachment to their animals (15 votes [42.86%])

    Percentage of vote: 42.86%

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#1 Steve Heard

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 11:14 AM

So, a relative who lives in had gone skiing for the weekend. I missed a call from him yesterday morning, and called him right away. "Hey, I was just leaving you a voicemail. I'm going to be coming through Folsom. You gonna be watching the game at home?"

"Of course, I said. Come on over!"

I hung up and then listened to his voicemail. He says, "We're just going to stop at the dog park and then we'll head down to your place."

He has a very sweet, but large and very hairy dog, and each time I visit his place, I leave with dog hair on my clothing. I don't have a dog because I don't want one, and my wife is allergic.

I called back and asked that he bring the dog around the back and to leave her outside. Five minutes after arrival, the dog was soaking wet, having jumped into my hot tub, shook off, spraying my patio door, furniture and barbecue with dog wetness, then spent the next couple of hours whining at my patio door. When I went outside to grill, she jumped up on me, trying to get some of the food. Overall, it was not a fun experience.

I am thinking that people I know have unhealthy attachments to their pets. Here are a couple of other recent examples:

  • My sister wouldn't come up for Thanksgiving because she'd have to leave her two dogs home
  • Someone I know had her mother drive to town to dog-sit while she went on her honeymoon, saying it is cruel to put your dog in a kennel
  • Someone else I know came home two days early from a long-planned vacation tour of Spain because she missed her dog so much. This ended a long friendship with her traveling companion who had to make a choice of cutting her vacation short or going on without her. She continued on her own because she had paid for it and couldn't get her money back.
  • A friend's in-laws came to town to for a big family gathering last summer, bringing their dog, who then got in a fight with the host's dog in the middle of the party which ended with one of the dogs bleeding and the host's granddaughter in tears.
[*]A friend was bitten on the hand at the Thursday Night Market when he bent down to pet someone's dog. The guy said, 'sorry, he doesn't know you.'[/list]
What the? Why bring a dog to Thursday Night Market? Why bring a dog out in public which might bite someone? I've seen people trip over leashes at Thursday Night Market and other places. Don't say, 'dogs will be dogs', or 'it's not the dog's fault, it's the owner's'. Why can't people leave their dogs at home when going to social events?

When did dogs go from being pets to family members with the same rights as people? When I was a
kid, dogs lived in the dog house in the back yard or in the garage. Now, they seem to have run of the house and are free to mingle with guests at parties and maybe lick the appetizers because hey, 'dogs like parties, too'.

End of rant. I feel better. For now.

Steve Heard

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#2 Bill Z

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 11:24 AM

When I had dogs, I loved them, but I wouldn't ever think of forcing my pets upon another person.

My dogs were outside dogs, so if you came to visit and you wanted to also visit my dogs, you had to go outback where they lived.

The only times I brought my dog over to another person's house was when they knew my dog was coming over to play with their dogs. So they were expecting me to show up with my dog's.

I do think it was rude of your friend to show up with his dog at your Superbowl party.
I would rather be Backpacking


#3 SacKen

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 11:33 AM

I totally agree. Our obsession with dogs is getting ridiculous. I'm tired of them being everywhere. I'm tired of being told that I have to accept it because they are part of your family. They aren't. Leave them at home so that my actual family member doesn't get attacked by your "friendly" 50 pound mutt that just jumped on my kid. I really don't give a crap if he was "just playing." I guess I can punch you in the nose and get away with it as long as I'm "just playing."
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#4 folsom500

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 12:13 PM

We have 3 small dogs and would NEVER ( even if it was just one) impose upon another by bringing them over "to visit". Likewise, I would find it offensive if someone brought over their dog without an explicit invite.
My one exception is that I take my dog ( on the of the 3- we have HIS, OURS and MINE) to work daily and I often visit a friend when I am taking Punch out for his midday walk and take him over his place. But I have been doing this for 6 years and he is welcome in his house.

Having 3 small dogs does limit us to how long we can be gone from the house as they are all inside dogs (we keep 2 in the garage when we are out and leave the little one in the house). Leaving food out for them is NOT an option.

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#5 legofamily

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 12:38 PM

I have one small, older dog. The only house she is ever in is ours, except when we go out of town to visit my parents or my in-laws and then she comes with us. I wouldn't bring my dog to anyone's house without asking and even then, I most likely wouldn't do it. My dog is an indoor/outdoor dog. She has been part of our family for 13 years, but we don't let her takeover the house.

#6 Bill Z

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 01:50 PM

I totally agree. Our obsession with dogs is getting ridiculous. I'm tired of them being everywhere. I'm tired of being told that I have to accept it because they are part of your family. They aren't. Leave them at home so that my actual family member doesn't get attacked by your "friendly" 50 pound mutt that just jumped on my kid. I really don't give a crap if he was "just playing." I guess I can punch you in the nose and get away with it as long as I'm "just playing."

Can I agree and disagree with you?
I don't think the obsession with our pets is what has gotten ridiculous, I think it is our obsession with me,me, me. It's all about ME. Did I mention ME?

I think what has gotten ridiculous is people becoming so self centered and not being considerate of others. "It's my dog and I should be able to take him wherever I go", instead of "Hmm, I wonder if my friend minds having dogs over?, He might now want the hair all over his house, or my dog turfing up his azaleas or having brownspots in his backyard from a doggie bladder drain?"
I would rather be Backpacking


#7 Bill Z

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 02:18 PM

Leaving food out for them is NOT an option.

When I went from having one dog to more than one, that was the major thing I missed. With one dog, I could fill his bowl and he would eat when he was hungry, but he didn't overeat. As soon as I got a 2nd dog, then both would "wolf" down their food making sure the other dog didn't get a chance to take any from their bowl. While I liked having more than one dog so they could play with each other, I did miss the just keeping the one bowl filled and not worry about how much I fed him. with more than one dog, I had to learn how much to feed, when they started getting a little porky, I knew I had to cut back on how much I gave them. with different size dogs, I had to think how much I should scoop into each dogs bowl. Funny thing though, even though they knew the food came out of the large Rubbermaid trash can in the backyard, it never got knocked over by them to go scarfing.
I would rather be Backpacking


#8 iMax

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 03:53 PM

Some time back, we visited our very, very good friends who own 2 large dogs. It took about an hour before they figured out that they were overpowering my two young boys and sent them outside...for a while. After about 15 minutes they were back in and doing the same thing. I had to say something, but shouldn't have had to. I love dogs also, but if you have invited guests coming over, you should have some sense of how your dogs might affect people who aren't used to having them around. They got into our plates of food and made it difficult for us to relax and enjoy thier company.
If you do have to die, may you all pass away like my grandfather did, in his sleep...not screaming in terror like his passengers.

#9 bordercolliefan

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 06:31 PM

I don't think the poll gives enough choices.

My answers are: I would bring my dog to a friend's house only if specifically requested. If I was on my way through town and my dog happened to be in the car, I would expect to leave him in the car for the few hours while I was visiting my friend (my dog loves snoozing in the car, as long as it's not a hot day).

In terms of what to expect coming to my home, the answer is, "It depends." My dog lives inside with us and is a part of the family -- which, incidentally, is also the key to teaching a dog good behavior. I trust him with a small gathering of people who like dogs. In a larger group (say if I have 10 neighbors over for a pool party), he gets locked in the bedroom upstairs listening to NPR. He's a sweetie and would never hurt a fly, but he's certainly not above swiping someone's appetizers off a low table!

#10 AMETHYST PRODUCTIVITY

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 06:45 PM

I have two dogs and two cats. Yes, they are family. That being said, they do have their place. They live inside the house with us, mostly because we enjoy their company and want them with us. The dogs have their own beds, although they usually prefer to sleep next to our bed on the floor. The cats will usually end up on the bed down by my feet or in my daughter's room.

They would NEVER go to someone's house with us. First of all, they don't like to travel but above all else, it would be rude. My mother lives in town and comes and stays with them if we're gone. None of my pets has ever been boarded at the kennel. Since we have an option, I prefer them to stay in the comfort of their own home.

If someone comes to our home, they're also coming to our pet's home and need to understand that. If they don't feel comfortable around the pets, I will put them in a bedroom but only if it's a short period.
I would NEVER allow someone else to bring a pet to our house and I had a tiff with my sister in law many years ago over it. At the time, we had one cat, lived in a small apt and she wanted to bring her dog over. I said no and she was offended. That was her problem, not mine.

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#11 ducky

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 06:45 PM

We love our dogs and consider them part of the family, but we wouldn't bring them to someone's party, be it Superbowl or whatever. Those are parties for people. We do have certain family members' homes we will bring them to because our dogs love to play with each other, but still always ask ahead in case there will be somebody there who doesn't like dogs.

I will confess to walking my dogs to Petco to purchase something once in a while. We've brought our dogs to Thursday Night Market, but we don't anymore because everyone wants to say "Hi" to the dogs and it takes us forever to get down Sutter Street and back and we don't get to look at anything. It's not because they are ill-behaved.

Feel your pain, stevethedad. We know people who won't even go out to a restaurant or travel unless they can bring their dogs. I think it is a little excessive if someone won't attend a family wedding because they can't bring the pooch. I just don't get it either.

#12 Steve Heard

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 07:20 PM

Feel your pain, stevethedad. We know people who won't even go out to a restaurant or travel unless they can bring their dogs. I think it is a little excessive if someone won't attend a family wedding because they can't bring the pooch. I just don't get it either.

It's been an issue for me because my closest sister won't leave her dogs behind and my daughters love the dogs and beg me every year to 'let Aunty Renee come'. I explain that she is always welcome, but the one occasion when she did bring one (back when she only had one), the dog (a chihuahua) barked like mad whenever someone rang the bell or opened a door or came into a room. It also crapped on my carpet, but I was supposed to be okay with it because the turd was small and I have a bird who also craps and I don't complain about my bird.

There, I feel better after whining about it.

How much do I owe you?

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Owner - MyFolsom.com

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#13 caligirlz

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 09:35 PM

What a fun topic & a hilarious survey!!!

I do have to confess, I used to be nuts over dogs. I took my German Shepherd dog everywhere with me - in the truck, to the grocery store (he stayed in the truck while I went in), to the park. I even took him to work with me a few times. And I looked specifically for places that were dog-friendly. I sneaked him into the Farmer's Market (not in Sacramento/Folsom) a few times, because I loved being with my dog. I walked him daily. He was family. I was raised with dogs - outside during the day, and inside at night, or when we were home. And that's how it was in my house. Although, the dog did have more freedom to roam the whole house, at my home.

However, I never took him to other people's houses, unless he was invited. I can remember staying at the beach in a dog-unfriendly hotel, and he spent the night in my SUV...boy, was that thing trashed at the end of that trip.

The hardest thing I had to do when I moved to Sacramento was to give up that dog. I couldn't take him with me. In doing so, it was as if the unnatural bond (or some would say addiction) to dogs was broken. I haven't had a dog since, but most importantly, I also have not had the "need" for a dog. Or the desire for a dog. I no longer have dog hair on my clothes or in my car. I remember dog-lovers considering that to be a badge of honor or evidence of the dog-loving worthiness. In hindsight, I find it to be total freedom not have my life revolve around a dog anymore. It's amazing how much time & energy is needed to take care of a dog properly.

When I lived with my friend down in East Sac, in a high-rise condo, her daughter & family would drop off the dogs (2) & cat to stay with us when they all went to Tahoe. It was ridiculous to expect my friend, to babysit these 3 pets on the 7th floor of the building. They had a litter box, but it wasn't used. I'd find turds on the carpet, or still attached to the persian cat's hind fur. Gross!! I used to close off my section of the house to keep the animals & their droppings out.

I love my freedom & I don't want your pet in my house. Get a pet sitter or take them to the dog-spa.

#14 caligirlz

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Posted 07 February 2011 - 09:42 PM

the dog (a chihuahua) barked like mad whenever someone rang the bell or opened a door or came into a room. It also crapped on my carpet, but I was supposed to be okay with it because the turd was small and I have a bird who also craps and I don't complain about my bird.

There, I feel better after whining about it.

How much do I owe you?


Nothing, you made my day! I think I'm having an asthma attack....laughing so hard!!! :D:

#15 Thinkingoutloud

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Posted 08 February 2011 - 07:00 AM

He's a sweetie and would never hurt a fly, but he's certainly not above swiping someone's appetizers off a low table!

Thanks for the first laugh of the morning! :2thumbsup:

My first dog once went around at a BBQ I was hosting and took the hotdogs right out of people's hands. Or if the were sitting with a plate on their laps would take the meat right off of it. I was young and hadn't yet discovered the joys of dog training. LOL!

I totally agree Steve about taking it too far. Especially it seems with little dogs. Poeple think becuase they are small it doesn't matter maybe? I had a friend show up with her dog on my boat, without asking me first. It was brand new and I was worried about dog nails on the seats. That was not cool with me. And when you see people driving with the dogs on their laps...that can't be safe.
Personally, I've taught my dog good manners, they don't jump on people (anymore) and when a friend brings her little one over to visit, I put my dog outside. Not becuase she'd hurt anyone, but at 80 lbs, she can easily knock over a little kid. I have some friends that have dogs of their own, and in that case, my dog stays in with us.

I wuld never give up a vacation for my dog like the gal did in the OP, but i also wouldn't kennel either. In an above post someone mentioned people thought kennels were cruel. I'm one of theose people. I typically find a house sitter to stay in my house with my animals - much less stress on them. When I travel, and try to bring my dog with me at all times. But I would never presume to bring my dog, if she wasn't specifically invited.

In fact, I really really would love another dog, but I know that the dynamics of 2 dogs is totally differnt, especially when it comes to people visitng you or you visitng them, so I've held off.




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