"Rat" comments... grrrr!

[LittleLolaBear]

I recently got in an argument with a friend of mine regarding people that make comments likening/calling Lola a "rat". This really, really makes me angry. I think it's rude and completely inappropriate... even though clearly she looks nothing like a rat and I know they only say it because of how tiny she is, I really feel that its just completely ignorant to liken someone's pet to a rodent. She didn't agree and told me that there's no reason to get upset, and that people are just making a joke. I would NEVER say this about someone's pet and I don't think anyone should say it about mine!

Am I overreacting? Do people say this to anyone else with tiny dogs? So rude!

[lil fu fu girl]

Have only had that happen once........
After the dope said it, I leaned down low next to my dog and said,
" What is that Dromie"? Then I started giggling.
The man asked me what was so funny and I said," Well you may think she looks like a rat, but she thinks you look like a horses a$$ !!"
Needless to say, he was not pleased, but I could not stop laughing.
Dromie and I walked away happy!!

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by lil fu fu girl

Have only had that happen once........
After the dope said it, I leaned down low next to my dog and said,
" What is that Dromie"? Then I started giggling.
The man asked me what was so funny and I said," Well you may think she looks like a rat, but she thinks you look like a horses a$$ !!"
Needless to say, he was not pleased, but I could not stop laughing.
Dromie and I walked away happy!!

I can't wait to try that out for myself!!!!!! LOL

[marcerella02]

I have also had someone call Layla a rat- and then he pretended to kick her- not sure what that was for- it was the most upset i've ever been abotu something someone has said- i cried- ridiculous, i know. But the fact that he made a gesture to hurt her upset me a lot. You are not overreacting- people see small dogs- have preconceived ideas and think they are allowed to voice their opinion.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

I have also had someone call Layla a rat- and then he pretended to kick her- not sure what that was for- it was the most upset i've ever been abotu something someone has said- i cried- ridiculous, i know. But the fact that he made a gesture to hurt her upset me a lot. You are not overreacting- people see small dogs- have preconceived ideas and think they are allowed to voice their opinion.

Oh man, I'm sorry you had to go through that! I would have pretended to shoot him.

[nneessaa]

My dad calls Scruffs a rat sometimes. My friends dad calls him Squirrel! It's actually pretty funny. They don't mean it and they love him. Also I was walking that same friends Pug on the beach and some one was like omg! he is so ugly he is cute.. I was like uh, thanks..

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by nneessaa

My dad calls Scruffs a rat sometimes. My friends dad calls him Squirrel! It's actually pretty funny. They don't mean it and they love him. Also I was walking that same friends Pug on the beach and some one was like omg! he is so ugly he is cute.. I was like uh, thanks..

Well I think it's ok when it's your family member or a friend that you know loves your baby, but when a complete stranger says it? It's usually as an insult.

Imagine if someone said the "so ugly it's cute" comment to you, and you said back "yea, so's your kid"

[yorkie_mama22]

My mom has made the comment before, but she has one too and calls her's it as well so I don't really mind. I've had a few other people say it and it bugs the heck outta me!!

[kwaymon]

Originally Posted by nneessaa

My dad calls Scruffs a rat sometimes. My friends dad calls him Squirrel! It's actually pretty funny. They don't mean it and they love him. Also I was walking that same friends Pug on the beach and some one was like omg! he is so ugly he is cute.. I was like uh, thanks..

Yeah, My hubby always says, "Mommy, there's a rat in the house!" But he says it out of love. It' doesn't bother me because I know how much he loves Tucker. A stranger, on the other hand, esp. one that tried to kick him like a previous poster had happen, would really really tick me off!!

[julietimothy]

I don't think anything about it. I have one female that is so tiny and so fast we call her our "rat on speed" It's a joke. But you have to understand what Keylee is, some may remember keylee. She will be a year old on the 1st of July, and is 1 1/2 lbs and only 5" tall. I will try to post a picture but my files are to big they never work, I need to make them smaller. I did it before but can't remember how now, I will work on it.

[sillyjacki]

I hate it when people call Roxy a rat, too. Had all sorts pretend to kick her, or say they'd do awful things to her. I don't know why in the world people think it's okay. It's rude and completely unacceptable behavior.

I usually say "Well, she can't help her looks. Luckily for you, you can fix your sh***y attitude!"

[Chili Dawg]

Lighten up! People will call our furballs rats. That's the way it is and the way it will always be. Just smile and get over it. They do look like rats to some people, especially when wet. No need to get upset about it. Comes with the territory. Folks called my pom a rat too. That's life! Woof!

~CD

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by Chili Dawg

Lighten up! People will call our furballs rats. That's the way it is and the way it will always be. Just smile and get over it. They do look like rats to some people, especially when wet. No need to get upset about it. Comes with the territory. Folks called my pom a rat too. That's life! Woof!

~CD

I sort of feel like that too as long as they are saying it without malice. In fact, my comment when told Ben looked like a rat was, "You ought to see him wet!" and then I just smiled proudly. I don't think most people mean any harm, they are just trying to be funny and most would LOVE to have a Yorkie themself. Now if someone was being nasty, purposefully rude, or added the kicking motion some described, I might change my attitude toward them too. I especialy got a kick out of Dromi and lilfufugirl's response! Oh, wish I had been there to see that!

There isone YT member who also has pet rats and she thinks they are very cute -- so when someone tells her, her Yorkie looks like a rat, she can take it as a compliment!

[tinknpiper]

I dont get mad when someone calls my baby girls rats. Most of my boyfriends friends call them that and I just tell them their jealous because my dogs are better then anything they could ever get! Ha. That usually shuts them up because they dont have anything to say!

One for me. Zip for them!!!!

[addicted]

Originally Posted by Chili Dawg

Lighten up! People will call our furballs rats. That's the way it is and the way it will always be. Just smile and get over it. They do look like rats to some people, especially when wet. No need to get upset about it. Comes with the territory. Folks called my pom a rat too. That's life! Woof!

~CD

I agree.... I was going to say the same thing...