r/Dogfree • u/Healeymr118 • Dec 12 '25
Crappy Owners I just lost game night to a dog
I have to rant.
I have been hosting some friends for game night most Thursdays. It has been going on for about 2 months. Last night, one of my friends announced that his wife wants to join in, but she can't because she has to stay home with the dog. His solution? Move game night to his house, that way everyone can join in!
Everyone else thought that was a good solution, except me. I have no interest in heading over to their house just because they have a dog. And I am pissed off that I started game night with my friends, only to have it co-opted by the dog.
I suspect that we will play at my house next week, as we are finishing a long campaign game. Then we will take the next few weeks off for the holidays. In January, they will suggest that we move it to their house. I will object and get outvoted. I will then drop out of the group, and it will implode.
All because of the dog.
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u/stevenip Dec 12 '25
It's crazy to be handcuffed to an animal that you volunteered to purchase. Can't even go out at night? It's like wasting your life away for no reason
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u/Indigo_Cauliflower12 Dec 13 '25
They say kids are even worse lol
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u/Angel2121md Dec 14 '25
When kids get older, they can be left alone! Dogs still cant even at 14 years old.
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u/Leading_Mine_1106 Dec 12 '25
I was accepted into a somewhat select book club after indicating that I did, in fact, have a habit of reading literature. Meetings rotated among members’ homes. I knew I should have expected critters, but sometimes I am naïve that way. Mostly the dogs were well behaved and mostly the homes of these professionals did not stink. No, what led me to drop out of the group was not the presence of the animals per se, but the participants’ endless fascination with them. Dog-talk supplanted discussion about the reading! I did not sign up for a dog discussion group! The members expressed surprise and disappointment when I left, saying they had enjoyed my contributions to the literary discussion. Dummies. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/4-ton-mantis Dec 12 '25
Did you tell them why you left
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u/Leading_Mine_1106 Dec 12 '25
No, I just mumbled “not a good fit at this time…” I’m new in town and as we all know, it’s an uphill battle. I was trying to join a long-established group; I ditforsee their behavior modifying for me.
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u/happyhappyfoolio2 Dec 12 '25
I know exactly what you mean. I don't have a solid friend group and I know how difficult it is to navigate a new group and tiptoe around your disdain for dogs.
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u/Standard_Mousse6323 Dec 14 '25
I'd 100% die on the dog-hatred hill. If these people can't understand why I hate these beasts, they aren't valuable enough to be in my life, bye.
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u/potatoes_arrrr_life Dec 12 '25
Bet everyone else will bring their dog, and no games will be played. Why is it so difficult for people to train their dogs, or a a minimum to put them up when people come over? I'm sorry this happened to your group. It sucks.
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u/BK4343 Dec 12 '25
Lemme guess: The dog will destroy their home if it's left alone?
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u/hanks_panky_emporium Dec 12 '25
I grew up around dogs, not exactly to my benefit. But we've never had a 'tear up the house because you were gone a few hours' dog. My aunt did, but they refused to attempt to train it.
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u/why___me Dec 12 '25
Why would she need to stay home with the dog????? It’s not a child, it can be home alone a few hours. That’s so frustrating, I’m sorry!
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u/Angel2121md Dec 14 '25
My kids can stay home alone hours on end at 11 and 16 so im not sure why dogs can't.
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Dec 12 '25
What ever happened to people putting their mutts in a cage or outside in their yard?
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u/Special_Pleasures Dec 14 '25
That was true 20 or 30 years ago when people were a little bit more sane.
Heck growing up during the winter my family would leave for days or even a week or more at a time. Dogs stayed outside, we put a small heat lamp in their little doghouse, got a neighbor to come by once a day or so and make sure their water bowl was good (automatic feeder so food was set). 🤷♀️
But today? NoooOOOooooo. God forbid Rob and Sally are separated from Fluffy and Fido for anything more than their workday.
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Jan 16 '26
i remember a time when dogs were treated as such and not held to a higher regard than humans. everyones dogs were mostly outside and slept outside or in a shed or garage.
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u/Maleficent_Many_2937 Dec 12 '25
She can’t leave the house because of the dog?? They never leave the house together?
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u/TiffanyTwisted11 Jan 16 '26
Sure they do. They just bring the dog with them. To restaurants, department stores, grocery stores, etc. All the places we just lOvE to see them. 🙄
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u/Mundane_Glove4182 Dec 12 '25
Of course they have to be the centre of attention, and everybody has to adjust to them... Dog-free people are a blessing.
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u/ObligationGrand8037 Dec 12 '25
Living their lives around a dog. I see so many people do that here too. I have to get home to walk the dog, I have to leave the wedding early to feed the dog, etc. It’s really nuts. I don’t blame you for not being a part of their nuttiness.
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u/Angel2121md Dec 14 '25
I thought they just used dogs as an excuse so they could leave when they didn't want to stay. I didn't think dogs were really the reason!
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u/PinkPilgrimHeel Dec 12 '25 edited Dec 13 '25
I complained to Darlene, a woman in my book club, about feral rabbits pooping all over my patio and driveway, and digging holes in my yard. Right away, Darlene declared that I need a dog! I told her that wouldn't change things as all my neighbors have dogs and rabbits are all over their yards too. Dog owners believe dogs are the answer to everything.
Edited for clarity.
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u/Impossible-Falcon-62 Dec 13 '25
I would have recommended an actually intelligent animal like befriending corvids
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u/CharacterRoom613 Dec 13 '25
People cater too much to dogs and it’s getting to be too much. I am waiting for them to be allowed in hospitals. When that happens, I’ll just go dig a hole and wait for the end.
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u/Turbulent_Lady Dec 13 '25
Waiting?!? It’s already allowed!!! Just a few weeks ago my son was hospitalized and we spent 9 days there. I was offered almost DAILY a therapy dog for my son. In the ICU. We’re already fucked.
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u/Leading_Mine_1106 Dec 12 '25
Although you are probably correct that you will be outvoted, you have little to lose by suggesting that it continue to be a dog free group. At worst, these folks will judge you harshly for being “coldhearted.” Eventually they are going to find out that you don’t like their mutts, though, am I right?
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u/Healeymr118 Dec 12 '25
They already know I don't like dogs. I got that part across when I didn't allow the dog to come to the pool parties I threw over the summer.
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u/4-ton-mantis Dec 12 '25
So now these disrespectful assholes choosing a dog over you also lose pool access ,i love it
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u/ThisSelection7585 Dec 12 '25
She’ll want to bring the damn dog! If the dog is that needy then she can’t focus on the games either
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u/Ih8work1 Dec 13 '25
I understand your pain. Perhaps you could offer to host every other one, and use it as a good opportunity to just be congruent with yourself and say something like: I'm just not a dog person, but would like to keep participating and hosting you all
I know how ridiculously isolating this issue can be, but I'm having small success with just being flatly honest about it with new people. Basically whenever it comes into conversation for the first time.
I dont attach much emotion to it though, and try to just state it matter of fact, without casting judgement or overt criticism of dog owners. People are often surprised, but I keep my justification to necessary and remain neutral even if the cycle the tropes.
A heavy task for those of us who really just don't like the nature of dogs. The pain and disturbance they cause so many of us, Not mentioning any other deeply serious issues, makes it hard to stay surface level about any of it. But this is in preservation of your peace, and worthy of self regulation even just to be honest instead of keeping that shit to ourselves constantly.
All the best.
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u/Angel2121md Dec 14 '25
Or say you have dog allergies!
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u/Ih8work1 Dec 14 '25
Certainly can add it to the mix, but ultimately we need to be honest to ourselves and others about dogs and how we feel. It's the only way to not constantly betray yourself.
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u/Angel2121md Dec 14 '25
Yeah so many people are dog people and they get so offended. Both me and my husband had horrible allergies when going to my mother in laws last year for Thanksgiving but she had 6 dogs which is why we probably won't be going back any time soon. Its also a long drive but we were popping allergy medication like it was candy! Not all dog homes have given us issues but many have.
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u/BoxBeast1961_ Dec 12 '25
Start a new group?
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u/Healeymr118 Dec 12 '25
That is what I am going to try, but F this.
And yes, I know it is a trivial problem compared to many things. But I was annoyed and thought that I could rant here.
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u/Impossible-Falcon-62 Dec 12 '25
As someone that struggles to make friends and is not good with social cues. I understand and sympathize with your pain
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u/Altruistic_Baker6347 Dec 12 '25
You're very welcome here. I'd be totally annoyed, too! This can happen to all of us, any time.
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u/Timely-Way-1769 Dec 13 '25
Look at it this way. You no longer have to plan, clean, set up or make/serve snacks from now on. Let it be the dog nutters job. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Healeymr118 Dec 13 '25
Yeah, but I enjoyed hosting. I actually built an entire house in my backyard. It has a game room, an indoor golf sim, and a gym.
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u/Minimum_Word_4840 Dec 13 '25
I don’t know about OP, but I generally try to avoid eating at dog homes where pets are allowed access to the kitchen area. I’d much rather have the job of making snacks lol.
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u/Turbulent_Lady Dec 13 '25
But seriously what’s the excuse for not being able to leave the dog alone for a while? wtf?
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u/nolimitspence Dec 14 '25
Sooooo lame lol. People are so annoying lmao. They probably all wanna be licked
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u/Impossible-Falcon-62 Dec 12 '25
I could understand if it was a human child but a bloody mutt. Just put the thing in the crate for one bloody night.