I have a 13 yr. old Husky/Akita. I have had him for 12 years and he hardly leaves my side. I cannot express how much he means to me. I think of him as my son (I don't have or want kids) and when I call the vet to make an appointment I refer to myself as Mica's Dad. I just don't feel like I own him. I own a car and a house, but not my boy.(He owns me is more like it). There was a new receptionist working when I last called in and seemed to have an issue with me being his dad. She said " Oh, you mean his OWNER" I didn't feel like explaining so I kept my mouth shut. Do other dog "owners" feel like they are their dogs parent? I mean, he is really a big part of who I am and I imagine thats kind of what parents feel. I worry about him, am proud of him, love his company, love to see him happy-isn't that what it's about ? Maybe the receptionist was just not a dog person.
2007-03-26 08:17:01 · 33 answers · asked by Mike Oxard 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have two dogs, and was recently asked for advice from a friend who wanted to get one.
I said, "my dogs are not there for me, I am there for them."
Like a parent I expect nothing from my boys, but I will give them absolutely everything they need. It is a major responsibility, and they wouldn't dream of leaving me because they trust me and have come to believe in me.
They were both rescues, and one had trouble trusting me to begin with. I worry about things that happened to him in the past and what will happen to them in the future. If that isn't parenting, I'm glad this is as close as I will get.
BTW - my vet call's me Johann's and Joplin's Dad.
2007-03-26 09:34:52 · answer #1 · answered by Toph 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Lots of people feel that they are their pet's "parent." It is very common to think of your pet as your child. You are not weird to feel the way you do, but perhaps they way you express yourself is unsual. There is nothing wrong with it.
That said, the receptionist's reaction was understandable. Many people do actually have children, thus referring to yourself as "Mica's dad" can be a tad bit confusing. Lots of people come into the vet every day with children. Children are everywhere. And most people, despite their feelings about their pets, don't get on the phone and say they are their dog's dad. So the receptionist probably IS a dog person... otherwise they probably wouldn't work at a vet! And it is not like cat owners don't feel the same way. She was probably just briefly confused and wanted to confirm the situation. So don't hold it against her!
2007-03-26 08:28:50 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You know what? I feel the same way about my boy Manny the Wonder Bulldog. There's no way I could be the OWNER of such a stubborn guy, but I do refer to myself as his "mommy." I even talk to him like one would talk to a toddler. (Not baby talk, because that's just nauseating, but you know what I mean.) Apparently this woman had some sort of chip on her shoulder. I'm a little surprised because at my vet's office, they seem to refer to all the clients as the dogs' "parents." Maybe the receptionist just lost a pet of her own, so she's hypersensitive. Or maybe she just had a baby and feels resentful of anyone without kids calling their dog their "kid." I think it's nice to love your doggy so much, and next time you're over there you should sic your boy on her- say, "Mica- this woman back-sassed Daddy," and watch him go!! LOL
2007-03-26 10:55:07 · answer #3 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just thank the stars that she's a receptionist and not a technician. I've noticed that the receptionists tend to be rather rude and not at all pet people...which is odd.
No, I have three dogs, and any time I talk to the vet I tell them I'm so-and-so, Angie's daddy or Brandy's daddy. I've always said that because a good vet knows the animal better than the human, so I don't really expect them to remember me as much as I figure they'll remember my animals.
That just strikes me as incredibly rude that the receptionist would actually try to correct someone on that...
2007-03-26 08:27:15 · answer #4 · answered by Ferret 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Nope. I'm Emma's dad and my wife is her Mom. Everyone at the dog park, the vet and in the family uses the same terminology. My grown kids know she's their sister. Weird, I don't think do.
BTW, just to add; the receptionist at the Vet will have to learn how people care about their animals or she won't be there too long - I guarantee it.
Also, the next time you go there ask the receptionist why they book your dog under your last name if the dog isn't part of your family.
2007-03-26 08:21:43 · answer #5 · answered by canela 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I do not think that referring to yourself as your pet's parent is weird at all. I am my dog's mom, my boyfriend is her daddy. We also do not plan to have kids, our animals are our life. Most people I know talk about their dog in this way. And I also work at a vet clinic. When we are just having conversation with the 'owners' dad and mom are used a LOT. And some people come in with their child's dog, so they are called grandma or grandpa, they like it. I think this is probably the first time the receptionist has worked with animals. She will catch on quickly, as many people refer to themselves as their pet's parents.
2007-03-26 08:51:56 · answer #6 · answered by Stark 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi there! I think it is awful that the receptionist at your vet office had a problem with you saying your were your dogs dad! I am a Veterinarian Technition and would be extremely upset if I heard a receptionist (or anyone!) saying such a thing. And she should be an dog person!!! If not, she is working in the wrong profession :) I am a proud mom to my saint bernard and newfoundland and wouldn't have it any other way! =)
2007-03-26 08:29:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Maybe the new receptionist IS a dog person and cares about the severe issues involved with animal rights. This issue with being a 'guardian' rather than an 'owner' has substantial legal implications and those of us who love our dogs make sure to use the correct term. PETA and their animal rights advocates are trying to change everyone from an owner to a guardian. Once you're only a guardian then you no longer have certain rights meaning that you will be less able to protect your pet and care for it as you believe is best. You may want to look further into the issue rather than assuming it's just because she didn't understand. Perhaps she understood better than you thought.
2007-03-26 08:31:39 · answer #8 · answered by SC 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
He is your dog and you are his owner. You do not want to be his guardian. If you were his guardian the medical expenses would be phenomenal, as would many other associated expenses. As a guardian there is a good chance that you wouldn't have ever wanted a dog because of the legal implications.
No, it is not weird, but you nor I ever want to remove ownership status from our animals as that will lead to no one wanting a pet.
For those who thing doG is spelled backwards and I am wrong see what your reaction is to this artists' rendition.
2007-03-26 11:09:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all, my vet and the receptionist actually refer to me as "Kaleb's mum" or "Rocky's mum". Their records actually say "Rocky Smith" and prescriptions are written the same way.
It was a hoot when I had to take a prescription to a people pharmacy, and the computer wouldn't accept it, without all the questions answered. The pharmacist and I were laughing as she was filling out " Do you smoke or drink alcohol?" and " What is your height? What is your weight?"
That receptionist has a lot to learn yet.
2007-03-26 08:34:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋