Does your dog have opposable thumbs?

[Pompompoms]

Just a silly conversation with an annoying man at the vet today. Usually all my vet visits are really positive with other animal owners interested in the robos many never having seen one before.

Whizzbit is still struggling with his fur loss, so it was back for another appointment. We've still not got to the bottom of it, I think really he's just a little one off as he's the only pompom to have such issues, and although a little bald in places, in fine health so hopefully it is just one of those things and not an indication of a deeper problem. Anyway, Whizz is all good, tucked up asleep having been given a drop of new medication.

I was first in to the drop in clinic, followed by three dog owners,two of whom made a big fuss of Whizz, and I of their dogs especially the very very young chocolate Labrador puppy .
The third man peered in and so began our exchange.....

Man: What's that? You bought lunch for my dog?

Me: (Firmly) No, he's a roborovski hamster.

Man: Wouldn't last two seconds in my house with my dogs

Me: I don't have dogs, were I too he would be fine as he lives in a locked cage.

Man: Wouldn't matter against my dogs.

Me: The ones I rehome to people with other animals have meshed lids on their lockable cages, in order to ensure they are completely secure.

Man: Nope, not against my dogs they wouldn't be.

Me: Like I say, the cages are locked, unless your dogs have opposable thumbs they would be quite safe. Does your dog have opposable thumbs?

The looked pensive, I think this was as he was struggling with the meaning of opposable rather than he was thinking about whether his dog had opposable thumbs

He kind of sat there looking awkward till I was called in as he was looking round the other owners laughing for support while he was talking, and getting nothing back.

I actually found it all quite funny, but was thinking the last time I was in the vets was to have George PTS, and how it would have added to the upset should someone have been so thoughtless at the time he was there to pass on.

Ahhhh idiots, you find em, everywhere!

[p_anda]

Some people are just incredibly rude. It's best not take them seriously, it's easier just to brush them off rather than attempting to educate them in any way, and keeping a sense of humour, like you did, lol. I can't believe someone doesn't know opposable thumbs mean, especially an adult. considering he has a pair of them too!

[Kissa]

I thought this was a serious question for a moment, and was very confused That man was a *insert rude name of choice* though, but your response was good

[cathface]

haha wow. you gave him what for, I approve. I absolutely despise people who don't give a damn about smaller pets, thinking their pets are better because they're bigger. since when did size surmount to worth and how much an owner bonds??

[Lil Miss]

if mishka had opposable thumbs i think the world would be pretty much doomed!!!!!!!

also just because you have a dog with a high prey drive doesnt mean you cant keep small furries, i dont think you can get a dog with a higher prey drive then a mal, but all my fuzzies are kept in secure cages and mishka is good with the "leave it" command, it was the first thing i taught her
we are working on her prey drive in the open by having her sit when she spots "prey" rather then dive after it (which she used to try and do) and i can then get her attention focus fully back on me and we can walk past what ever it is no problems

some people are just idiots

[Pompompoms]

I have to say, the dog was lovely, and although sat pretty much under Whizzbit, wasn't in the lest bit interested

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Haha yet again good for you Poms! You really know how to deal with these morons!
I think I would have been fully tempted to turn around and say "Actually your dogs wouldn't survive in a house with me, they are a Sunday lunch delicacy in our house" They aren't of course but it would be nice to see how they feel under the suggestion of their pet being eaten.

He sounds like he was a bit of a chav or 'thug' type person in the horrible way he spoke to you, well done for putting him in his place!

[Biscuit]

haha. lol. You told him.

[Pompompoms]

He was just thick, you know I hate making such sweeping generalisations, but he was, just all over thick.

I said that to Mr. Poms earlier, it would be like if I happened to have a pet tiger and took that in, I wouldn't point out all the pets it might eat!

[cathface]

Originally Posted by Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters

I think I would have been fully tempted to turn around and say "Actually your dogs wouldn't survive in a house with me, they are a Sunday lunch delicacy in our house" They aren't of course but it would be nice to see how they feel under the suggestion of their pet being eaten.

I'd so do this if it ever happened if I took my hams to the vet. they may even second guess me because I'm Chinese haha! "oh god is she joking or..!?"