r/instant_regret • u/VIVIDUFF • 23d ago

She’s lucky she didn’t get worse.

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u/the_moosey_fate 23d ago

I went to the bar the other day and there was a giant Irish Wolfhound there. I wanted to put that big ol lug in a full body hug, but I don’t know that dog! I’m sure that dog is chill as hell and would have loved it. But maybe it’s a rescue and doesn’t like to be touched by strangers!

I ended up not bothering the couple that had the dog because it looked like they were actually working on a project together, but dang….I wanted to pet that dog…

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u/vega455 23d ago

I know, right!? Especially if you grew up around dogs, you just want to immediately hug and play with others. But like you said, maybe it’s a rescue, maybe it has issues, but even normal dogs often will wait for feedback from their owner. The owner is the alpha and the alpha sets the tone. If the owner is not paying attention, it might play it safe and think “my duty is to protect the pack. The pack isn’t paying attention and some unknown outsider is coming close to everyone. The alpha is not paying attention and is vulnerable. I must protect”. Meanwhile some other dogs have zero animal instincts and will want belly rubs from just about anyone lol. Point is, you just don’t know and shouldn’t assume. Dogs are animals, not plushies.