21-year-old walks out on first date with a guy who refuses to address her dog as “she” instead of an “it”: 'The way people view animals says a LOT about them'

When we adopt a dog, we don't just bring home an animal - we welcome in a family member. A dog might be a loyal best friend, a fluffy child, or even that goofy uncle who always gets into trouble. Whatever role they take on in our households, one thing remains certain: they're not "just pets". They're family through and through, with love and respect owed to them as such.

That's why it can be so frustrating when someone dismisses that bond. To many pawrents, dogs are as important as any relative, but some people refuse to see it. When they disregard that love - or worse, dehumanize our pups by calling them "it" - it stings. Because it's not just about words, it's about whether they respect what matters most to us.

One young woman recently learned that lesson the hard way, while on a first date. Her doggo is undergoing chemo, and instead of showing empathy, her date repeatedly referred to her beloved dog as "it" - even after she asked him not to. That was all the red flag she needed. She wrapped up the night quickly and chose to walk away, standing up for her fluffy family member.

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Judging by the comments, other dog pawrents understood her completely. The online canine community always comes with empathy and support, showing once again that when it comes to our doggos, this community never disappoints.
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