Why do poor people get dogs?

muramx · 2025-08-09T06:22:44+00:00

My ex is like this. She basically buys a dog each year and then after 5-6 months gives it away or takes it to a shelter... then a few months later gets another one.. rinse and repeat.

She literally es in income based housing and collects SNAP and whatever else. Gets mad because she has no money (Split 50/50 but our son stays with me 90% of the time and I don't pay CS.) But she bought a motorcycle (a guy she dated for a few months had one so she had to get one to be cool.) Last month she bought a $50k truck.

I wait for the day she gets hit for fraud but I doubt it will ever come.

TheNattyJew · 2025-08-08T02:21:24+00:00

This is so common. People are just wack

Notlikeotherguys · 2025-08-07T17:19:59+00:00

It usually doesn't stop at 1 either. Before you know it 2 dogs, and 1 cat.

HuumanDriftWood · 2025-08-07T07:52:49+00:00

Irony...

Yeh let's buy a $1000 dog and have to feed it $### worth of food a week.

Things will grow to -/+ 50kgs and shed everywhere.

Real smart.

Poor people yep, have more pets and kids.

CRobinsFly · 2025-08-07T00:27:03+00:00

It's eye-opening when you begin seeing women with dogs as having the single mother intro kit. Yours just bought hers late.

lostpassword100000 · 2025-08-06T21:34:51+00:00

Because poor people make bad financial decisions. Which is why they remain poor.

I have a worker who got his power cut off the same week he showed off his new arm sleeve tattoo.

urbanpandanyc · 2025-08-06T20:58:34+00:00

Using the dog as an emotional punching bag or crutch 🩼

Inquisitorial_Court · 2025-08-06T19:55:28+00:00

The wild part about all this, she tells you all these things, food stamps, whatever else, I bet she has more in the bank then you, lmao.

People tend to get dogs when they're extremely sad, dogs have one of the best healing energies, especially a Bermese Mountain Dog.

She's still winning because your poor shaming people online, and she has an absolutely adorable dog, and probably makes 12k a week on OF, and you sound like a dude I'd fake a phone call to get out of a conversation with

Bacon_and_Powertools · 2025-08-06T18:37:05+00:00

That dog is gonna be cheaper than the kids are… if she continues to make poor financial decisions, this is a reason you need to go back to court and have the custody agreement changed

smokeandmirrorsff · 2025-08-06T17:29:05+00:00

Unfortunately, people are selfish. it's not about "poor shaming", it's how they actively chose to keep a LIFE that they cannot afford - that they willingly deprive them of what the life needs to thrive - basic healthcare, good nutrition, space to thrive etc - just because they want a companion. same reasons why poor people have children that they can't afford etc. god awful but unfortunately nothing we or anyone except themselves can do to prevent from happening.

Slow_Bison_2101 · 2025-08-06T17:08:31+00:00

A dog is cheaper than two kids

geese_unite · 2025-08-06T16:50:59+00:00

Some people have anxiety and will start shopping to create distraction.

Zealousideal_Rub5826 · 2025-08-06T16:43:18+00:00

Same reason poor people have kids. Love, companionship, a family. Priceless.

SacThrowAway76 · 2025-08-06T14:00:29+00:00

There is a saying about lower income neighborhoods that comes to mind here. “That neighborhood has more pit bulls than paid bills.”

SonOfKong_ · 2025-08-06T13:58:26+00:00

Lots of poor women have dogs, and many have more than one. I have dated lots of these women. The last one had a disability income of 800.00 per month, and yet she had a dog. I saw her pay a vet bill for 120.00. I thought, wow, what a idiot. The dog was one of the reasons I kicked her out.

RichardCleveland · 2025-08-06T13:39:53+00:00

Just wait until it develops cancer or some other serious health issues. I haven't met many Burnese owners that didn't eventually shell out thousands for medical care.

jaguaraugaj · 2025-08-06T13:38:46+00:00

That dog gonna poop out any retirement savings every day

BandagedTheDamage · 2025-08-06T13:37:43+00:00

Either she's extremely irresponsible, or she isn't that poor.

_player_0 · 2025-08-06T13:31:20+00:00

r/dogfree

shozzlez · 2025-08-06T13:27:35+00:00

Let people have some joy. Especially if you’re poor.

Nikzippy · 2025-08-06T13:27:24+00:00

A Burmese mountain dog probably costs 5k plus in the 1st place. Crazy

Sudden_Ad_4193 · 2025-08-06T13:03:07+00:00

Even the homeless have dogs. America has an unhealthy obsession with dogs.

AffectionateAd6060 · 2025-08-06T12:59:59+00:00

Does she live in a small apartment too? that'd just be the cherry on top.

omegared138 · 2025-08-06T12:37:08+00:00

To fill an emotional need. Don't get me wrong, I love my dogs, but if you're barely scraping by, a dog is not the answer to your problems.

Bagman220 · 2025-08-06T12:29:09+00:00

I don’t know why people get dogs in general. My in laws missed so many birthdays and family gatherings because of “the dogs.” They all had like 3 or 4 dogs each and it was always their excuse for not being able to go anywhere or do anything. Not only that but they all eventually die and lead to them being “sad” and taking time off work and life. Plus the cost of them having surgeries, is in the thousands. I’ve seen too much of that over the past 15 years with them to ever consider it.

Da-Frame-2R · 2025-08-06T12:27:54+00:00

Poor people tend to have more kids as well. Blow my mind always. 🤷‍♀️

Title	Why do poor people get dogs?
Author	MountainLopsided6436
Upvotes	49
Comments	42
Date	August 6, 2025 12:24 PM UTC (11 months ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1mj38f0/why_do_poor_people_get_dogs/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/why-do-poor-people-get-dogs.1558997 https://theredarchive.com/post/1558997

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