Woman Doesn’t Want Her Friend Coming Over With His Adopted Pit Bull Because She Was Attacked By One As A Child, But Doesn’t Know How To Tell Him
One Reddit user is stuck in an awkward spot, and it all comes down to a dog she does not want in her house. Her friend recently adopted a shelter pit bull, and now he seems to assume the dog will be welcome at the group’s weekly get-togethers.
That would be simple enough if she felt comfortable around the dog, but she does not. She has known the friend group for years, their kids and pets already visit regularly, and this new dog is the one exception. A childhood attack by a pit bull has left her uneasy, and she is trying to figure out how to say no without blowing up the friendship.
Now she is wondering whether her boundary is reasonable, or whether she is about to offend her friend over a very sensitive topic.
OP asks:
She and her husband have a beautiful home, and it took them years to make it so.
Their friends come over every weekend. Many of them have kids and pets, and OP enjoys having them around.
She says the fear is not random, it comes from something that happened when she was a kid.
But there is a problem. One of her friends got a shelter dog, and OP doesn't like her at all. She is even afraid of her.
OP lists reasons:
The bottom line is she doesn't want her in her home.
She says the dog is new to the family, and that is exactly why she is uneasy about it.
OP wonders if she is right here.
She posted an edit where she says she was attacked by a pit bull when she was a child.
Redditors agree:
Original Post
It also reminds us of the Redditor asked to house and puppy sit, only to learn the 8-month-old wasn’t trained at all.
Princess is an adult shelter dog, and I don't know or trust her temperament. There are kids, cats, small dogs, and farm animals at my home. I trust my other friends' dogs because they've had them for years; Princess is brand new.
And that's all her friend needs to know.
The dog breed is not that important - training is.
Redditors advised OP what to say:
This sounds good:
That still leaves her with the hard part, which is actually saying it out loud.
To facilitate understanding, the woman could consider proposing alternative arrangements for visits, such as meeting in a neutral space or outdoors. By framing her concerns in a way that emphasizes her past experiences, she can encourage empathy from her friend while still prioritizing her comfort.
Shelter dogs need time to adjust. Taking them too soon to a crowded, strange home could prove to be disastrous.
OP would be liable for anything that happens to others in her home.
When a new animal is an adult from a breed that is known for specific traits, it is especially important to exercise caution around other pets and unfamiliar surroundings. There is a lot at stake if even one negative incident occurs because the canine's past living circumstances are unknown. It's not advised to take an animal who is just getting accustomed to its new life into crowds and unknown territory.
In navigating the complexities of relationships where pets are involved, particularly in the case of a friend’s adopted pit bull, it is essential to recognize the deep-seated impact of past trauma. The woman in this scenario, who experienced an attack by a pit bull as a child, faces a challenging situation as she grapples with her fears while wanting to preserve her friendship. Open communication becomes vital here; she must find a way to express her discomfort without alienating her friend. Thoughtful arrangements, such as suggesting alternative meeting locations, could serve as a bridge to address her concerns. By acknowledging her emotional history, she can embark on a journey of healing while maintaining the connection that is important to her.
Want more weekend chaos, read how the emotional support dog turned her party into havoc.
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