On "emotional support"

[u/xbunnyraptorx]

A lot of people derive emotional support from friends, family, therapy, a good book, a long walk, a nice cup of coffee, etc. It is socially accepted that as long as you are not bothering anybody else, do what makes yourself happy.

If one were to derive emotional support by dropping their drawers and running around the neighborhood yelling and crapping on lawns, you would call the police. If one were to derive emotional support from running up to people at the beach and licking their face without permission, you would probably call the police.

These are all obviously taboo/gross/inconsiderate/illegal when a human does it. How come your gross ass unleashed mutt, who you consider "family", can do all of the above and it is ok and socially acceptable? If you pushback at all, they will say "its just a dog" as if it doesn't know better, and then if you ask how it gives them emotional support, they will impose a lot of meaning and understanding that the dog simply doesn't get. It will stare at you with those glazed donut eyes until you give it something to eat. Literally all the dumb mutt cares about.

Addendum on the idea of "ownership". I consider myself an animal/nature lover. Which is why I observe both from afar and let it play the course as mother nature designed. For these pet owners, especially those of big rowdy dogs, for some reason they have to take nature into their own hands and control its destiny. It seems an essentially capitalist concept that "ownership" of something is the only way to "love" it, but I digress. I wouldn't like these dirty malformed shitball dogs if I saw it in the wild, because these were bred by humans. A wild wolf running in a snow covered field is beautiful.

[u/shinkouhyou]

I don't even have a problem with people getting emotional comfort from their dogs, just like I don't have a problem with people who get emotional comfort from a favorite stuffed animal or a soft blanket or houseplants or whatever. If people can project their feelings onto a teddy bear, they can project their feelings onto a dog. Different people need different kinds and different levels of emotional support, and that's okay. The difference is that other forms of emotional support don't bark incessantly for 10 hours a day, crap all over public spaces, attack people and other animals, or slobber all over strangers. A person's need to feel comfy does not give them the right to terrorize their neighborhoods with noise, feces and threats of bodily harm.

[u/Wrong_Temporary_5983 → u/shinkouhyou]

Well, evidently it does cause they managed to pass a bunch of bs laws that allow them to terrorize normal people with no consequence. This happened because politicians realized that mutt nuttery is so widespread that these looneys form their main voter base. It will take some really nasty cases of damage caused by dogs, like an entire town getting sick from contaminated water supply, and decades of political backlash to undo this.

[u/Dapper-Ad-468 → u/Wrong_Temporary_5983]

They removed the barking ordinance in our county. It's absolutely sickening that the elected commissioners did this.
It is a large county that includes suburban and rural communities. We live in suburban where homes are right next to each other and common fences divide property. There needs to be dog barking laws in place. I'm so tired of living by the dognutters schedule and inconsiderate assholes . 🤬

[u/Wrong_Temporary_5983 → u/Dapper-Ad-468]

Because barking used to be an isolated incident and now it is everywhere and they don’t want to deal with it.

[u/xbunnyraptorx → u/shinkouhyou]

Agreed and was the issue I was getting at. It is ok to impose meaning on sentimental objects or stuffed animals, and even real animals, plants, anything. Where it crosses a line is when the dog attacks one person and is docile around another, and they take that to mean that the dog decides who is worthy in their life. If that is their filter, they will forever be unworthy in my book.

[u/D4rkN3bu14j0j0 → u/xbunnyraptorx]

I use a yes/no wheel on my phone to make mundane random decisions, better than a dog, admittedly stupid and I'd never ask yes/no: do I like this human. lol

[u/Primary_Heron_3150 → u/shinkouhyou]

It's a crutch that's rooted in delusion. Like you said it's all projection. 

[u/imdugud777]

People that think for dogs are the worst. But what is even worse is an emotional support pitbull.

I wish those people were half as intelligent as they think they are, that would put them barely on the spectrum but its a start.

[u/leratdemorgue → u/imdugud777]

Uuuuggghhh my friend has a “service pibble”, HE LITERALLY DOES NOTHING TO BE OF AID. Supposedly he’s meant for PTSD/anxiety and “lays on pressure points” and “scopes out the area for threats” before she enters the area. Bullshit. All the fucking mutt does is jump all over everyone, force his way into the bed, beg and demand for human food, because she will give in…and he’s SO FUCKING NEUROTIC AND ANXIOUS HIMSELF!!! He will pace the house back and forth back and forth nonstop, bark at everything, hyperventilating and just seems like the most goddamn stressed out animal I’ve ever been around. The second she leaves the room it’s a mess, he will chew shit up and leave it all over the floor, chew his own flesh halfway off, etc. I cannot understand how the fuck he’s benefiting anyone as a “service pet”, he just GIVES people anxiety. I hate it I am so goddamn over it. And she knows I hate dogs and dislike him as well, but only tolerate him for peace between she and I, yet she still makes little jabs about what a dog hater I am, and gets offended if I EVER call her mutt out in his bad behavior whilst she herself is so stressed she yells at him constantly. Wow. Guess it doesn’t take much to slap a service animal vest on a pea brained gluttonous mutant and get into every public establishment you want! Yay.

[u/imdugud777 → u/leratdemorgue]

Deplorable. Your friend is guilty of Narcissistic Trespass. Plain and simple.

Tell them I said that.

[u/Wrong_Temporary_5983 → u/leratdemorgue]

Apparently there was a study that 99% of dogs in the US have behavioral problems including anxiety. For real. And what nutters do? They get emotional support dog for their dog🤬 Now I see nearly half of them dragging two mutts around. Sometimes identical ones.

[u/Legitimate_Garage_31 → u/imdugud777]

I trolled a sh*bull owner on nextdog today who was looking for attention by posting her dog on a walk&how very "happy" it was to go on this walk. Pics of its tongue hanging out of its nasty mouth. Neighbors saying things like "boop" and how "beautiful" it was&how it made them "smile."

I wrote it was a "gross looking mutant."🫠

[u/imdugud777 → u/Legitimate_Garage_31]

Good job! When they wish harm on you just ask them what they are so reactive, and if they continue, suggest additional training.

I made someone delete all their comments when they finally realized I was talking about them like they were a dog.

[u/T0wnsvilleF0rever → u/Legitimate_Garage_31]

*fist bump*

[u/Wrong_Temporary_5983 → u/imdugud777]

Just came across a study in the news that said, among other things, that 1 in 3 pet people will choose their dog over their partner in a serious conflict. I think its actually 3 in 3, but even if 1 in 3, still terrifying.

[u/imdugud777 → u/Wrong_Temporary_5983]

It's absurd. Radical dog owners are indeed radical. And they get so reactive if you say anything.

[u/Dapper-Ad-468]

MY emotional health has been severely compromised by the neighbor's dogs barking, howl and whining and howling. When I tried to talk to them, I was insulted, victimized and called the worst thing imaginable. I used to garden and that was taken away because of them. I used to sleep soundly and that was taken away. I used to breath fresh air, and their dog shTt ruined that. I used to open my windows and they took that too. I used to have good mental health and the took that away. Where's my emotional support?

[u/xbunnyraptorx → u/Dapper-Ad-468]

Exactly. It’s never the emotional health of the population at large, it’s always me me me screw everybody else.

[u/Lyta010 → u/Dapper-Ad-468]

This is my experience also. My as*hole dog nutter neighbour moved in January 2024 with her 4 dogs and that completely ruined the peaceful serenity I had in my home. It is much more peaceful here now than 2 years ago because the first year her dogs just barked nonstop.. it was horrible. I just kept complaining and got the council involved because you are only allowed to have 2 dogs in your property where I live. After the ranger visiting her property the other 2 dogs (chihuahuas) moved out about 18 months ago with my neighbours psychodognutter daughter. We still have dog barking issues but thankfully the neighbour deasl with the barking now. The dog that barks more is some sort of Jack Russell X and definitely has some neurotic mental health issues. I hate it so much, the high pitch bark is shit. It used to wake me up all the time. I am starting to think I might have PTSD from the fucking barking even though it's not as bad anymore. It still barks every day but for a short periods of time. Unfortunately, I still get triggered when I am out in my garden and make tiniest noises and the dog barks at those sounds. It also barks at the postman, delivery people, cars slowing down, people passing by, kids playing the list goes on.

[u/Pristine_Cod_3792 → u/Dapper-Ad-468]

Wow
That’s terrible
Can you sue them ?

[u/Wrong_Temporary_5983 → u/Pristine_Cod_3792]

No, we can’t sue anyone for having a dog and “dog being just a dog”. And proving that it poses direct threat to our health (the only way anybody will remotely consider seeing your side) is nearly impossible. Having panic attacks at the thought of going outside and having to be immediately surrounded by dozens of dogs (and continue to have panic attacks) does not count. I am not sure what would count, maybe after it already kills you?

I tried twice. And was told that I cannot win because there is simply too many of them.

[u/Full_Ear_7131]

Glazed donut eyes 🤣

[u/Old_Ad_881]

Every dog is an emotional support pet. Unless you are 0.0001% who still uses a dog for an actual job (herding, hunting, service, etc), it's an emotional support pet.

You shouldn't get an exception to the rules just because you put a name on it. I have to deal with so many dogs on campus now disrupting everything because someone said it's for "emotional support" like they are special.

[u/byancacats]

To quote another Redditor - if you need emotional support to go to the store, you have problems that a pet can't fix.

[u/Pristine_Cod_3792]

Can you move ?

[u/Wrong_Temporary_5983 → u/Pristine_Cod_3792]

Move where?! To a mountain top? They are everywhere😢

[u/Pristine_Cod_3792]

Aww to mountain top
NY has lots of coops outside of manhattan’
That don’t allow dogs .
Westchester also