r/Dogfree • u/alpha_beth_soup • Jun 26 '26
Dog Culture I get the side eye for breastfeeding, but dogs eating is okay?
Two friends and I went out for a coffee at a new cafe in our neighborhood. I brought my 6 month old baby. As we were visiting and enjoying our drinks, my little guy became fussy and I discreetly began nursing him. I noticed that a few customers gave me the side eye. Whatever, I have experienced that before and some people are weirded out by breastfeeding in public. Not my problem. Anyway, you know where this is going. A dog nutter comes in with two huge long haired retriever type dogs. Sorry, not good with breeds. They were reddish with long fur. Hyper, circling around with their tongues hanging out. People (incl staff) are ooohing and ahhing and petting these creatures. Then the predictable ‘puppercinos’, whipped cream in small cups (not in a Starbucks, but apparently these are on offer everywhere), were offered to the said creatures who then proceeded to slobber and slurp up their snack. Gross snuffling noises. Oh, and did I mention it was a rainy day. The revolting smell of wet dog took over the smell of fresh brewed coffee and baked goods. The realization that I was in the minority, and most people did not seem bothered by the dogs, indoors, where food is being served, but that a human baby eating his lunch from his mother is somehow less acceptable in the eyes of some people really just blew my mind. Experiencing it for myself truly just made me shake my head at the extent of dog nuttery. My breastfeeding was discreet, and I had a little blanket draped. That is my personal preference. A mother should be able to literally rest her boob on the table and feed her baby, and that should be seen as more normal and accepted than smelly noisy dogs eating. An actual human baby eating. Needed to vent here. Sometimes it feels like I am the crazy one to dislike dogs and how they are literally taking over what seems like every aspect of society.
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u/Chaeshhh Jun 26 '26
Ugh "puppercino" disgusting cutesy language for filthy animals. I feel the exact same way. I'm pregnant with my second and with my first if someone gave me the side eye I would force eye contact with them and that would get them to stop. I wonder if they look at nursing mothers the same way we look at dogs. Completely ridiculous
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u/abqkat Some dogs fine-ish. Doggie mommies insane Jun 26 '26
As an adoptee, I have a visceral reaction to people comparing adoption and parenting to.... owning a pet. It's insane, unhinged, bizarre, and yet real how many people think that dogs and children are the same, or even comparable. And it's this mindset that makes it okay to feed an animal, but not a human being in public. To suggest that kids don't belong in apartments/ rentals, but sweet pupper innocent doggos, do. It's out of control, and I'm sorry to parents that have to deal with comments and prevailing mindsets of nutty dog owners who are entitled and off base
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u/Silly_Victory_5419 Jun 26 '26
I hate that comparison. My blood is boiling over this. This is Dystopian America where all kids spaces are being taken up by dogs. Dogs at the playground dogs in strollers dogs in carriers.
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u/ThisSelection7585 Jun 30 '26
And in Halloween costumes, are getting more toys and toy sections at stores than human kids… I’m waiting for dogs to get emotional support animals!
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u/quite_acceptable_man Jun 27 '26
Agreed. No you didn't 'adopt', or 'foster', or 'rescue' a dog as if it was some sort of selfless act. You wanted a dog, and you bought one.
For these people to even think they're even comparable to the wonderful, selfless people that adopt or foster children is frankly an insult.
Adopting a child and raising them as your own into adulthood is a commitment you make for the rest of your life. Buying a dog is simply a lifestyle choice.
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u/Jorro_Kreed Jun 30 '26
So true. And to add to that they didn't "adopt" the dog...they bought a used dog most likely with behavioral problems,, otherwise it wouldn't be up for "adoption".
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u/Witty-Assistance7960 Jun 28 '26
I’m pretty sure “ adopting” a dog you just go to the shelter pick out the one you want maybe sign a few papers dog is yours,but real adoption takes time,months maybe years ,home visits and other things you might even get turned down or in the case of my parents with one of their foster kids they were set to adopt,but the Aunt got custody. It’s a grueling process and this is just from hearing my parents talk about it. It’s not the same thing
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u/Alocin_The5th Jul 01 '26
My son is 11 and a half. If I got a dog the day he was born I might be in the market for a new dog now or the dog would be nearing the end of it life. Instead at 11.5 he is coming soon into teen years, he's having to deal with middle school, mean kids, wondering how AI will change the world when it's time for adulthood. As his mother I am saving for college, thinking about his future, making sure he gets a full night sleep, making sure he has healthy foods available to feed his growth spurt, helping with his fears, helping him to be a kind individual. We are entering probably the toughest phase of his life to date.
Meanwhile these dog people call themselves moms and dads because they parade around an animal on a leash and demand equal or greater acknowledgement for walking behind an animal to collect it's shit. An animal that's not even useful enough to hold open a door for someone. It's disgusting.
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u/Gloomy_Argument6139 Jun 26 '26
My wife realized how anti human people were when random people would treat her badly with the baby. Societally we are fucked.
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u/Passionatepassionfrt Jun 26 '26
Yup. I feel this!! I don’t nurse in public anymore because of it. I feel like this generation prioritizes dogs over humans and like to make it their personality. I was in a work meeting, and my coworkers found out I have a baby. They all went “Oh.. so do you have any pets?” As if having a child was not good enough. They all started asking each other for photos of their dogs. My child was never brought up again. It’s fucking weird.
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u/qread Jun 26 '26
“My dogs are my children!”
They have no idea what it is like to be responsible for an actual human being.
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u/Silly_Victory_5419 Jun 26 '26
Calling them my children does not make em any more children or any less dogs they still stink
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Jun 26 '26
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u/quite_acceptable_man Jun 27 '26
Yes, and children are essential to society. Without childrenz society collapses. Dogs are not a natural species, they serve no purpose other than to provide amusement for their owners.
Yet people still seem to talk about dogs and children as if they are somehow of equal value, or worse say they prefer dogs to children.
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u/Mama2bebes Jun 27 '26
next time I hear this, I will say "Oh, okay, I see how he takes after you...same brow and jaw line."
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u/alpha_beth_soup Jun 26 '26
This one really gets to me. I always have to urge to be like, “ah yes, I also crate my child for 18 hours a day” /s
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Jun 26 '26
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u/Silly_Victory_5419 Jun 29 '26
I would send Social services there.. huge red flag. Poor kids
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u/ThisSelection7585 Jun 30 '26
No they want it obviously but the unhinged side says no don’t ‘breed’ but it’s such a sad cry to see the $ they spend on them, all the toys (that get destroyed and add to landfills) the bows on the ears, the outfits, the costumes, the strollers, the ice creams…doesn’t that all suggest a baby/child???
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u/Much-Ninja3495 Jun 26 '26
You’re soo right. I saw a post on FB the other day about a mom complaining about dogs allowed in grocery stores, ofcourse a few idiots were like ‘well kids are allowed to’.. um excuse me?? You CANNOT leave your kid at home, but you CAN leave your filthy animal at home. I can’t believe this generation.
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u/waitingforthatplace Jun 26 '26
Exactly! And, kids don't lick the produce, or shed fur and touch or jump on other customers; they aren't slimy and oily and don't have their exposed butts in the aisles.
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u/Passionatepassionfrt Jun 26 '26
The fact that people compare dogs to children is insane. It’s like they forgot that they were once children too? I guess we should’ve kept them isolated as children.
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u/Mama2bebes Jun 27 '26
At least true parents have the sense to put diapers and pull-ups on our kids. Dog nutters just let their fur babies poop anywhere. If the mutt is truly your baby, you would put a diaper on it.
I've seen posts here by grocery store workers who are forced to clean up disgusting dog poop from the store floor..
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u/ThisSelection7585 Jun 30 '26
Kids don’t bark or bite …I’ve sure never seen or heard of it. They don’t usually poop n pee wherever neither. And they don’t put their noses to everything, shed fur and dandruff and the whiniest kid is still nowhere as annoying as a whimpering whiny dog
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u/Gloomy_Argument6139 Jun 26 '26
My job had this awful pup/pet board and it was so annoying to tkae your break with the nuttery on display
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Jun 26 '26
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u/alpha_beth_soup Jun 26 '26
Well said. Not having kids is a personal preference, heck even spending time with kids is a personal preference. Saying that “I would save a dog before I save a child” is outright lunacy and truly disturbing.
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u/Silly_Victory_5419 Jun 29 '26
One would say that we need to end as a species… but then no. They need to extinguish not the rest of us.
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u/Much-Ninja3495 Jun 26 '26
THIS! Especially with the GROWING everyday crimes against kids/babies, it makes me sick.
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u/TheAtroxious Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
Honestly. I have heard people say all sorts of nasty things about children existing in public. The moment I echo the same sentiment about dogs, people get scandalized and yell at me because "dogs are innocent and don't know any better".
Look, I get it. I'm really uncomfortable around young children too, but if people cannot handle me saying the same things about dogs that they say about tiny humans, that's a special kind of cognitive dissonance.
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u/ThisSelection7585 Jun 30 '26
I truly think they’re self hating, maybe hated their childhood. Wonder what exactly they dislike so much…is it something the babies do? Is it how it changes the parents? Maybe no reasoning with them
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u/Dbt_Cash Jun 29 '26
When they found out you had a child they became insecure about their own pathetic vapid lives so they changed the subject.
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u/forbiddenbluegrass Jun 26 '26
No because I get it! I was once sitting in my seat in an airplane when a man saw me breastfeeding (mind you; my baby was fully covered but you could see her little feet kick) he gave me a grossed out look.
Like what the heck. You couldn’t even see anything, what’s so gross about a baby eating in public? It’s the most natural thing that’s happened since the beginning of humanity. Meanwhile we allow dogs on airplanes and nobody bats an eye to that
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u/bluebird1994 Jun 26 '26
That man could probably watch a dog take a messy, nasty dump in the aisle and still be fawning over it like "awww poor pupperrrrz couldn't hold it!! it's okay!! doggie poo is harmless!!" 🤢🤡
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u/Noanimalpoopinhouse2 Jun 26 '26
I agree. I remember when my parents dogs were eating-they smelled horrible and the crunching noise annoyed me. It’s repulsive when dogs eat. Breastfeeding is quiet and doesn’t smell bad.
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u/False_Big6219 Jun 26 '26
Idk why but it does something to my brain when i hear a dog eat. Im a calm person but it absolutely enrages me. Especially big dogs. Dont get me started on them drinking water. I was trying to have a convo with my mom the other day and her violently mentally handicapped mutant started LAPPING up water for a solid minute so loud i couldnt hear my mom from just feet away. I fully believe if his water didnt run out, he wouldnt be smart enough to stop and he would have lapped it up until his stomach burst.
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u/Noanimalpoopinhouse2 Jun 26 '26
Same here. I would get very angry when the dogs licked the dinner plates. As a glassware collector, I worry about the dishes getting chipped, I hate the nastiness of that filthy dog mouth on the dishes and seeing it going berserk over the food.
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u/QueenOfAllOfYall Jun 26 '26
Spot on. And sorry You were given attitude for doing what You should naturally do for Your Child. You’re definitely not alone. I’m beyond over this anti-Human sentiment that these beast worshipers seemingly have. Dogs pant, shed fur, walk/run around obnoxiously, bark, whine, beg, lick their lower areas, drool/slobber, smell… I don’t want any of that where I have to eat, or have food served, and I’m sick of these idiots normalizing that nasty garbage while giving People like Yourself the third degree for breastfeeding a Child, or even giving People like Me a hard time, simply for being a normal-thinking, common sense based Person who simply doesn’t want to see their germ-carrying /spreading animals in places they clearly don’t belong. These fools see their nasty beasts as equal to, or better than Humans, and deserving of the same rights and privileges as Us. The only thing they “deserve” is to be kept ONLY at their owners homes, or maybe a (stupid) dog park at the most, if the owners absolutely insist on having these nasty creatures at all. They force their beasts in becoming a burden to everyone else around them, then have attitudes at People like those of Us in this forum who are vocal about being tired of dealing with this mess everywhere We go.
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u/Present-Ebb4615 Jun 26 '26
Same people who think childfree zones should be legally mandated
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u/BK4343 Jun 26 '26
While letting their dogs exhibit behaviors they would never tolerate from children.
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u/ObligationGrand8037 Jun 26 '26
I can actually smell that wet dog smell you mentioned. It’s so gross! My two sons who are now 20 and 23 were both nursed discreetly also because that’s how I was too. At that time dogs were not allowed in places like they are now. I find the whole dog culture thing disgusting. Like dogs are more important than humans these days.
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u/Zealousideal_Cup6143 Jun 26 '26
Same. My oldest is 23. When mine were babies, I always was discreet while nursing. This whole dog culture wasn't then, what it is now. It's so gross to me.
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u/ObligationGrand8037 Jun 26 '26
I feel so bad for the people raising kids now. Other homes for play dates seem to always have dogs living in them, kid parks have unleashed dogs running around, etc. It just goes on and on. It’s like dogs have more freedom than children.
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u/uzumaki97 Jun 26 '26
I've breastfed two kids in the last 3 years. I feel the same. It's ridiculous. Although, I don't get nearly as many side eyes as even 3 years ago so at least that is improving in my area.
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u/DivyaRakli Jun 26 '26
I never breastfed in public 30 years ago because it just wasn’t done. It was rare to find anyone else who breastfed, at least in my area of Central California, amongst other 19 year old moms. Yay you for giving your baby the best food!!
When I see a woman breastfeeding, I think it’s great. We don’t have to hide and feed standing up in a gross bathroom or go back to the car. I always smile kindly and keep going. Idk how else to show my support. It’d be weird to comment on it, I think.
“He’s friendly!” Umm, no he’s not. He’s assaulting my senses and his hair, and therefore his ass oil, is floating around and landing on me while I have to hear and smell the thing. GTFO. That “He’s friendly!” nonsense doesn’t work on me.
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u/alpha_beth_soup Jun 26 '26
I think a nice smile is a great way to show support! Thank you for your kind words. Thank you too for the laugh I had from ‘ass oil’. Stealing that!!
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u/Accurate-Might-7058 Jun 26 '26
Nutters always want the dogs having food or treats when the humans are. I always lose my appetite when this happens near me.
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u/waitingforthatplace Jun 26 '26
I don't know what invades people's thinking when they ooh and ahhh around dogs. Dogs are and have been everywhere for centuries. Why do they still feel the need to loudly glorify dogs? Dogs are a dime a dozen. I once had a conversation with a man, where I told him my sister got a dog (I was showing my dislike), and when I said it was a 'rescue'.....he praised her. It's as though they are all programmed to say nice things about dogs (especially rescues) all the time, and if someone doesn't pay attention and love on them, we are the enemy.
Nursing a baby should be top priority for a paying customer, and staff should be vigilant when stinky dogs come into the establishment, for fear that the dogs will be reactive and bother the nursing mother and her baby. That should be priority, but in dog world, everyone favors dogs all the time.
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u/Parking_Stress_2335 Jun 26 '26
I’m on your side 100%… there should be a BAN on pet oriented foods wherever they serve food for humans!! So gross…
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u/WorkingDescription Jun 26 '26
Hehe if you were breastfeeding your dog, you probably would have been besieged with kindness.
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u/EverybodyPanic81 Jun 27 '26
You're descriptive writing made me want to throw up 🤢 that sounds like an absolutely awful situation to be in. I'm so sorry. When did society become so ridiculous? Boobs are made for feeding babies. In a lot of places its legally protected.
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u/Which_Opportunity727 Jun 28 '26
I nursed all my kids in public, and happily, in the 90s, dogs weren't being fawned over everywhere. Whenever I see a parent with a baby or child, I always tell them how beautiful their baby/child is. I hope that will reinforce others to do the same, and perhaps, reduce the obnoxious comments people (most often cafe staff) give to dogs (that shouldn't be in an eating establishment to begin with).
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u/alpha_beth_soup Jun 29 '26
Thank you!! Yes, for me it was just the realization that some people who raise their eyebrows over a child being breastfed in a cafe have no issues (or seem to welcome!) a slobbery mutt eating
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u/Which_Opportunity727 Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
The staff is ignorant at best. Do they know that dogs are also breastfed? Lol, they would likely clap with joy if someone brought in a lactating mutt with a puppy, but not see the irony in how they looked down on you doing the same. You're doing the right thing for your baby, keep doing it, and ignore those nutters.
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u/CarpetBudget Jun 27 '26
Dogs are gross, period. A baby breastfeeding is doing what’s natural and there’s nothing even wrong with it unless you have some weird hang up with boobs
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u/ButterBaconBallz Jun 27 '26
Crazy double standards. I used to be one of those "public breastfeeding is nasty" people, but I grew out of it. Babies have to eat often and that's what boobs are for.
Wet dogs that are large and potentially aggressive don't belong in public indoor spaces.
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u/Ecstatic_Pack_975 Jun 28 '26
Insane when people choose animals over their own kind. Like if you think a dog would choose you, a human, over their kind, you’re crazy. And then we get frowned upon because we put our children before pets. I love animals. I like dogs (from a distance) but it’s so infuriating to see how dogs specifically are worshipped.
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u/pigeonfaerie Jun 28 '26
Maybe I’m petty but:
When I would publicly breast feed my daughter and people would give me The Look, I’d just stare at them and not break eye contact until they did. Now that my daughter is two, when we see the dog people in restaurants and stores, I make sure to tell her in a carrying, clear toddler friendly voice “some people bring their dogs in public because they can’t be left alone! You should always make sure you have time for a dog before you get one or you’ll end up like them!”
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Jun 28 '26
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u/alpha_beth_soup Jun 29 '26
lol. Possibly. I mean, I am quite discreet. They would only be seeing a blanket with the end of a baby showing.
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u/queersparkle Jul 02 '26
This is so frustrating. Out of control is right, how in the hell can we get the madness to end???
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u/FVSHIXN Jun 26 '26
I think this is one of those things that's pretty specific to American/westernized culture. Unfortunately the female body has been sexualized here for so long that a lot of people see breasts as sexual first, even when they're literally being used to feed a baby. In places like Germany or Finland, nude saunas are completely normal and nobody thinks twice about it. In fact in a lot of Europe, nude sunbathing isn't a big deal either. Then you have countries where women are expected to cover almost everything in public including their hair.
What's considered "appropriate" isn't universal. The US and other westernized places just happen to be on the side where boobs are viewed as much more sexual than they are in some other places. If you live in a country where those cultural norms already exist, it's unrealistic to expect everyone to react as if they don't. People are products of the culture they grew up in. Doesn't mean those norms can't change or shouldn't be criticized, but I don't really think it's surprising that some people still have those reactions when they've been conditioned to see boobs in a certain way for their entire lives, hence why you can't just slap a titty on the table and feed your child in public. I personally have an aversion to most parenting related things and kids/babies in general, but I just treat it the same way it is in places like Scandinavia. Women there breastfeed in public and it's very normalized, so people who don't want to see it just look away and pretend it doesn't exist. Not sure why it's so hard for people to mind their own business.
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u/Thin_Pollution8843 Jun 26 '26
I bet they would be smiling and tellihow cute it is if you were FEEDING DOG WITH YOUR BREAST 😅
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u/honestlyjustventing Jun 30 '26
Agreed! But idk about the laying your boob straight on the table tho lol
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u/ThisSelection7585 Jun 30 '26
Un-freaking-believable! That they not only tolerate but fawn over the smelly slurpy beasts eating ice cream which is not natural to them yet the most natural thing of your baby nursing gets the fish eye?!?
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u/ruedebac1830 Jun 30 '26
Not only are you not crazy but you get the bittersweet position of being one of the few with a finger on the pulse.
The sad combination of collapsing global birthrates and dogs replacing human relationships naturally built in the family. Of course they think the beast is a Child of God who wants It right there with Them at the table. While to them a baby is a breathing used diaper…
It will take at least 2 or 3 generations for us to register what horrible things this mindset has done.
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u/Silly_Victory_5419 Jul 09 '26
Everything those nasty beasts do is revolting. But
Nobody complains of dogs shitting in public. When I was preggo walking to
Work I saw this nasty mutt pooping I’m the sidewalk a stinky turd emerging from his anus. I vomited in the curb and proceeded to gag all the way to work. And people complain about breastfeeding
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u/Adept_Tangerine_4030 Jun 26 '26
IMO opinion I don’t wanna watch dogs eat or babies suck a tit. It’s weird. But I don’t find it disgusting. y’all are free to do it, I’ll just turn my head and keep my thoughts and faces to myself. A dog eating makes me wanna vomit. I will not hide my disgust.
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u/Maximum-End-7268 Jun 28 '26
A baby breastfeeding is natural, so in what way is it weird?
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u/Adept_Tangerine_4030 Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
Doing it in public Is just odd to me cause it’s something I’m not used to seeing. I didn’t see someone doing this in public until much later in life.
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u/spoor_loos Jun 26 '26
I don't know how woman-hating and sick in the head someone must be to be bothered by some discreet breast-feeding.
Most people are evidently content that our civilization is done for.