# Not mean, but, can't understand strangers' love of K-9 dogs... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 10, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129 "2014-09-10T23:47:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/61 "2014-09-12T05:59:34Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > I’ll bet he’s not even that handsome. I’ll do you a huge favor, and not take that bet! ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/62 "2014-09-12T06:19:54Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > Carrier Pigeons aren’t dogs. See post #50 > > Asking that is fucking stupid, but I’m not going to belabor that, and intentionally ignore **Bozuit** to talk about **handsomeharry** instead. The thing is, even though I am a dog lover, I kinda get his OP. There is a little of WTF when it comes to dogs dying and the human reactions to that. > > … > > As I said, I’m a dog lover, but even I have to admit that that’s a touch odd. This is fairly close to my point. People were so ready to insult me that they didn’t even get close to my point, even though I didn’t go off on any dogs. I’m not a dog lover, but, I rather like dogs. And, I can even see a person being a bit, to a lot, broken up if a pet of theirs dies. But, let’s be real-the dog in the OP was never seen in person by any of these people. And, on top of that, I’ll bet a jillion dollars that they couldn’t have named it before it was in the paper. And, now, going to it’s funeral??? As another post put it, a dog funeral! To pay respects! But, now, let’s get to more brass tacks. The dogs aren’t cops. Sorry, they aren’t, any more than a police car or a badge are cops. These are dogs. They are tools of the cops (and pets). They aren’t the cop’s partner. They never applied to be cops, weren’t interviewed, weren’t even asked if they wanted to be on the force, and, most importantly, never took an oath to protect and serve. They don’t know what they are doing, or even if they are doing anything, for the public. Further, I like dogs, but, I show my amazement at people _going to funerals of dogs_, and _unknown dogs_ at that, and people on here call me dumbass, and moron, and whatever else! (Please note that I didn’t even call my co-workers, people whom my detractors do not even know, bad names) And, these people act as if \*I’m \* the malefactor! Then, **Guinastasia** , after insulting me,said that I’m trolling. I don’t think that I ever called a poster on this board a troll, and I most certainly never insulted any poster, even in the Pit (that I can remember :o ). Now, I don’t know who is stranger-the people who go to the funerals of strange dogs, or the people who insult people who do not understand that behavior. \*That \*is even more boggle-worthy. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/63 "2014-09-12T06:39:12Z")
I don’t know whether your co-worker is odd for going to a dog’s funeral. Seriously. I will say, however, that you don’t know a whole lot about working dogs, nor human-canine interaction, and that you really underestimate the motivation these dogs have to work. But the very wrong-est thing you’ve posted here is that K9s and their handlers aren’t partners. Have you ever had any sort of interaction with K9s, or did you learn everything you think you know about them from an episode of Cops? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/64 "2014-09-12T06:40:42Z")
You’re being called a troll for making a trollish post and then laughing about it when people get upset at you. Other people had the same opinion as you, but they aren’t trolling. You are. I mean, come on. You posted an ignorant post denying the work K9s do in our puppies and kittens forum, where people have flat out said before that they have more sympathy for their pets than some humans. You aren’t some newbie who didn’t know that. People give you the benefit of the doubt and try to explain it to you, and you don’t show understanding. And then you go on to laugh at people when they get upset, losing that benefit. Your post was so transparently an attack on Dopers, it got moved to the Pit. And now those you insulted are insulting you back. Wah! ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/65 "2014-09-12T06:46:51Z")
> [@saje](#): > > These dogs are not mindless, vicious, automatons. They are exceptionally intelligent and trainable creatures who are valued partners and friends and who do incredible work for, as you say, a doggie biscuit. Actually they care more about praise and love and the fun of the job they do. They will work until they drop for the love of the job and because they want to please their handlers, not because they are “prodded”. > > That supposed ferocity is trained to the Nth degree, and it has very clear on and off buttons. What is that off button? Will a K-9 dog refuse to attack an innocent person? Or will it merely refuse to attack until its handler commands it to? ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/66 "2014-09-12T06:51:37Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > You’re being called a troll for making a trollish post and then laughing about it when people get upset at you. Other people had the same opinion as you, but they aren’t trolling. You are. > > I mean, come on. You posted an ignorant post denying the work K9s do in our puppies and kittens forum, where people have flat out said before that they have more sympathy for their pets than some humans. You aren’t some newbie who didn’t know that. People give you the benefit of the doubt and try to explain it to you, and you don’t show understanding. And then you go on to laugh at people when they get upset, losing that benefit. > > Your post was so transparently an attack on Dopers, it got moved to the Pit. And now those you insulted are insulting you back. Wah! I laugh at dipshits who get so full of themselves that they insult me for no good reason. I am not going to dignify the rudeness, and explain that I wasn’t trolling (See Hamilton/Burr). IIRC, calling somebody a troll, even in the Pit, is against the rules, and to be directed to the mods, so, I will not defend this. But, which post are you calling transparent, and which one, if different, is trollish? I have NEVER denied the work that K9s do. I do, however, admit that I cannot remember where the dog/kitten forum is. Stop! Did you just whoosh me? (I didn’t snap to it till I read the “giving me the benefit of the doubt” comment! Cue the ‘embarrassment’ smilie again!) ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/67 "2014-09-12T07:13:42Z")
OK, now you’re just being an asshole. You’re not even talking about dogs anymore. Take the high road, grow a spine, and stick to the discussion you started. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/68 "2014-09-12T07:26:18Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > Carrier Pigeons aren’t dogs. See post #50 > > Asking that is fucking stupid, but I’m not going to belabor that, and intentionally ignore **Bozuit** to talk about **handsomeharry** instead. The thing is, even though I am a dog lover, I kinda get his OP. There is a little of WTF when it comes to dogs dying and the human reactions to that. > > The dog **handsomeharry** talked about died of natural causes. It just got old and died. That happens. It could be that **harry** is just remarking on the excessive grief people expressed when a dog dies. Shoot, it’s a trope. _Old Yeller_ brought many grown ass men to tears, but it’s even more than that. In _Independence Day_ there’s a scene where the characters are trapped in a tunnel and everything blows up, because of course it does, but the dog jumps through the explosion and lives! Yay! The movie just depicted millions of humans dying, but all we as viewers cared about at that moment was the dog. > > As I said, I’m a dog lover, but even I have to admit that that’s a touch odd. Ah, yes. The [puppygod](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7509237&postcount=34). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/69 "2014-09-12T07:33:06Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > IIRC, calling somebody a troll, even in the Pit, is against the rules, and to be directed to the mods, so, I will not defend this. Your recollection is faulty. You’re allowed to call people trolls in the Pit. That’s the only place you’re allowed. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/70 "2014-09-12T07:50:56Z")
On the facts as stated by the OP…I’m with him. The fact that there was a formal funeral in the first place feels strange to me, the fact that it had any significance beyond the immediate ownership of the dog seems flat out weird. Then again I don’t particularly like dogs, I understand some people do and they are very attached to them and so it is unsurprising that they are sad when they die but…seeing as I don’t really like dogs I only understand it in the abstract. I’m sure tortoise owners and chinchilla owners feel much the same way. As an empathetic human being of course I’d never express these feelings to someone feeling grief at the death of a pet. What could possibly be gained by it? I guess I just don’t feel that dogs are particularly “special” amongst sentient creatures. I hate to see any animal in pain and suffering but I’d feel equally upset were it a dogs or a mouse or a hedgehog, they all fit into the same category for me, below the primates but above the reptiles and insects. And ultimately if it ain’t my pet I’m not going to be too concerned other than to show proper decency to the owner. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/71 "2014-09-12T07:59:33Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Your recollection is faulty. You’re allowed to call people trolls in the Pit. That’s the only place you’re allowed. Thank you, **cochrane**. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/72 "2014-09-12T12:20:00Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > What is that off button? Will a K-9 dog refuse to attack an innocent person? Or will it merely refuse to attack until its handler commands it to? This is so off base that I’m not really sure if I should bother answering. But I’m bored so I will. A dog doesn’t know or care about guilt or innocence, he knows only that he has a job to do to please his human friend. Whether the human involved is directing his dog at a murdering thief or a little old lady has nothing to do with the dog or his value as a brave working partner. A well trained police dog will go after someone to bite and hold when he is given the specific cue or command. He will do that to the best of his ability despite the injuries he might be getting, and only because he knows that’s his job and he wants to please his partner. The off switch is another command or cue from his partner. There _is_ aggression in these dog, but it is so finely tuned and well controlled that it CAN be turned on, and, more importantly, off. To my mind the Off command is one of the major things that makes these dogs and their rapport with the handler special. A dog is hard-wired as a predator, to be able to harness that instinct, control it, and turn it off is an amazing thing. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/73 "2014-09-12T13:27:14Z")
I’m not going to endorse everything in the OP (I like dogs and I wish I wasn’t allergic to them so I could have one), but I can’t help wondering if his co-worker attends _human_ officers’ funerals. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/74 "2014-09-12T14:24:08Z")
I condemn the showing of empathy towards dogs. Not to be mean, but because it is well known that such behavior diminishes the supply of empathy available for humans. It’s a scientific principle. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/75 "2014-09-12T15:19:08Z")
Dogs and most domesticated animals are there for the whims of their owners. Some owners wish to attribute human emotions and characteristics to their pets. But what they really do is whatever work we need them to do…even if it is to be a friend. **handsomeharry** I laud you for expressing your confusion for the behavior posted about in the OP. I have dogs, cats, cows, goats, horses, etc. And I am very appreciative of what they do for me. I treat them with respect and care for them…but they aren’t on the same level as humans. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/76 "2014-09-12T15:25:11Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > You’re being called a troll for making a trollish post and then laughing about it when people get upset at you. Other people had the same opinion as you, but they aren’t trolling. You are. > > I mean, come on. You posted an ignorant post denying the work K9s do in our puppies and kittens forum, where people have flat out said before that they have more sympathy for their pets than some humans. You aren’t some newbie who didn’t know that. People give you the benefit of the doubt and try to explain it to you, and you don’t show understanding. And then you go on to laugh at people when they get upset, losing that benefit. > > Your post was so transparently an attack on Dopers, it got moved to the Pit. And now those you insulted are insulting you back. Wah! You know, I really wish **BigT** would start posting in the Pit again. Too bad he stopped posting and reading here because he would tell you how fucking annoying you are. Do you ever post anything on this board that isn’t chastising another poster for some lame ass reason? ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/77 "2014-09-12T15:33:37Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I condemn the showing of empathy towards dogs. > > Not to be mean, but because it is well known that such behavior diminishes the supply of empathy available for humans. > > It’s a scientific principle. Cite? I am inclined to believe you, simply because the amount of sheer energy a single human has is finite, and one bestows it somewhere and not otherwhere. On the other hand, being a dog lover and a misanthrope, I don’t really see the downside. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/78 "2014-09-12T15:36:54Z")
> [@saje](#): > > This is so off base that I’m not really sure if I should bother answering. > > But I’m bored so I will. > > A dog doesn’t know or care about guilt or innocence, he knows only that he has a job to do to please his human friend. Whether the human involved is directing his dog at a murdering thief or a little old lady has nothing to do with the dog or his value as a brave working partner. > > A well trained police dog will go after someone to bite and hold when he is given the specific cue or command. He will do that to the best of his ability despite the injuries he might be getting, and only because he knows that’s his job and he wants to please his partner. The off switch is another command or cue from his partner. > > There _is_ aggression in these dog, but it is so finely tuned and well controlled that it CAN be turned on, and, more importantly, off. To my mind the Off command is one of the major things that makes these dogs and their rapport with the handler special. A dog is hard-wired as a predator, to be able to harness that instinct, control it, and turn it off is an amazing thing. There was a case of a brutal cop who started beating up a street prostitute just because he could, and his own dog went for him. The dog was found not guilty. Dogs aren’t machines, and they sense the emotional states and even the motivations of people better than human do, sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/79 "2014-09-12T15:46:56Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > Carrier Pigeons aren’t dogs. See post #50 > > Asking that is fucking stupid… No, your reaction is stupid. By that, I mean that no intelligent thought was required. It was too much effort to think about it, so you took the easy way out and let your emotions do the work. If you think the question is stupid, demonstrate that instead of attempting to disguise your inability to address it with implications of superiority. It’s a perfectly reasonable question. I’d even call it a good question, if I do say so myself, and the fact that you can’t answer it without insults is your own failing, not mine. Again, if dogs in similar situations are brave, does the same apply to carrier pigeons? Note that the question would make no sense if I were unaware that carrier pigeons are not dogs, but thanks for the zoology lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129/80 "2014-09-12T15:51:28Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Cite? > > I am inclined to believe you, simply because the amount of sheer energy a single human has is finite, and one bestows it somewhere and not otherwhere. > > On the other hand, being a dog lover and a misanthrope, I don’t really see the downside. He’s being sarcastic. In other news, I’m starting to see why some people find the unconditional love of dogs refreshing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-mean-but-cant-understand-strangers-love-of-k-9-dogs/698129.md?page=5)