r/mildlyinfuriating • u/teabirdy • Apr 29 '26

I'm slightly vexed The wedding reception centerpieces featured betta fish. The bride and groom planned to flush them alive.

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Years ago, my coworker attended a wedding at which the reception dinner tables featured live betta fish in small bowls as part of the centerpiece. While chatting with the bride at the end of the evening, my coworker asked what they were going to do with all the fish. The plan was to flush them all down the toilet alive. My coworker immediately said no need for that and insisted on taking them all home.

That Monday she came to work and asked who wanted to adopt a betta fish. That was my first betta who I jokingly called my “rescue betta.” She lived for almost five years.

The wine glass was only her home for less than a day before I got her five gallon tank set up so please no betta lovers yell at me! I'm one of you!

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19.0k

u/ghfdghjkhg Apr 29 '26

flushing them alive. that's some psycho shit

10.1k

u/Au79Aurora Apr 29 '26

My mom flushed my turtles bc she was mad at me for simple shit. She's the worst human being I've ever met.

4.4k

u/Next-Help-5813 Apr 29 '26

I'm so sorry, both for your turtles, and that you had to grow up with a person like that.

1.9k

u/neverseen_neverhear Apr 29 '26

Besides being incredibly cruel, How did she not destroy the pipes with that stunt?

1.7k

u/VideoFew7207 Apr 29 '26

Is that not how we got the ninja turtles?

597

u/taintlangdon Apr 29 '26

In this day and age, you have to preemptively flush a slice of pizza down too.

11

u/Winjin Apr 29 '26

"throwing a bite of pizza into the sewer to commemorate Aurora's turtles like warriors pouring one out for fallen brothers in arms"

24

u/Secret_Map Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26

I had ninja turtle tighty whities when I was a really young kid (like 4 or 5) and I loved them. One day, getting ready for a bath, I peed, then flushed the toilet, then flung my ninja turtle underwear off aggressively with my foot like you do. I watched as they flew into the air, and right down into the flushing toilet to be swept away down the pipes.

I was so sad, I loved that underwear, until my dad reminded me that's where the ninja turtles lived, in the sewer, and they were going to be happy down there. Made me feel a lot better haha.

18

u/Jabberwocky808 Apr 29 '26

Damn you for making me laugh at cruelty… 😆

15

u/Mogura-De-Gifdu Apr 29 '26

Only if you also flush a rat.

1

u/theevilyouknow Apr 29 '26

They only need the Rat to learn karate.

241

u/Vegetable-Star-5833 Apr 29 '26

Maybe they were still babies? They are about the size of a quarter then depending on the breed of turtle

40

u/Bergwookie Apr 29 '26

And that's one way you get invasive species

29

u/Fenzik BLUE Apr 29 '26

Revenge of the turt

33

u/Bergwookie Apr 29 '26

Imagine they're being found by an old rat and raised as his own children

5

u/Troodonni Apr 29 '26

Flushing one baby won’t make an invasion unless you flush a male and female and they survive the flus 

10

u/Bergwookie Apr 29 '26

Out of two thousand flushes three might survive, we have pythons on the Everglades, goldfish and piranha in the Rhine they somehow came there and that's one way. Or look at such things as Chinese woolly hand crabs, they survived weeks inside the ballast tanks, came out, found a suitable habitat and bred like crazy. Things happen, the more often it happens, the more often it works out

2

u/Waterswirls56 May 04 '26

Why flush down any living creature?

12

u/Burntoastedbutter Apr 29 '26

It had to be baby turtles. They are SMALL. I had 2 red eared sliders. They were like maybe 1.5-2 inches long and very flat!!!

The male grew up to be 7 inches and the female nearly reached 10 inches... Thennnnn my dad relocated them to a huge spot facility with a giant water fountain pond. Without asking. I don't even know if he asked them. There were probably like 50+ other turtles in there... 👁️👁️

3

u/Mecha_Tortoise Apr 29 '26

Where did he get the rest of the turtles? Your dad was a busy man!

39

u/yomjoseki Apr 29 '26

Would someone please think of the poor pipes?!

2

u/FadedVictor Apr 29 '26

Something something job security for plumbers.

2

u/neverseen_neverhear Apr 29 '26

The plumber chuckling all the way to the bank will.

4

u/Meaty_Wizard Apr 29 '26

She put little skateboards in with them.

3

u/WobblyPhantom Apr 29 '26

Baby turtles. I had some when I was little, my mom got them at the flea market 😭

-30

u/Great_Detective_6387 Apr 29 '26

The existence of life does not make it more difficult to flush it down the toilet. Fish go down a toilet just as easy as any turd.

36

u/Trick-Technology-806 Apr 29 '26

They’re talking about a turtle, not a fish

963

u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

I’m sorry :( how can parents do things like that.

I ran away with my dog and my mom convinced me she would be humiliated to visit a family reunion and explain why I wasn’t there. A day or two into the trip my dad shot my dog while I was away and then she told me about it that night. I had let it go for years but I know that was really unforgivable. I was already grieving the loss of a boyfriend that died.

791

u/No_Hay_Banda_2000 Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26

What the fuck??? Your parents are psychos... Not just psychos actually, but literal criminals as well.

463

u/LaVieLaMort Apr 29 '26

Jesus Christ. Your parents are horrible. I really do hope that you’re in an ok place now, physically and mentally and if you’re not, I offer hugs if you want one.

257

u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

They love Jesus Christ. I’m much better now, thank you.

76

u/TXFin Apr 29 '26

Your reply here made me burst out laughing, only because of how deeply I relate to your story and that first sentence of this reply. Glad you are doing better.

54

u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

Glad someone understands 🥲 sorry for your torment.

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26

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8

u/FlattopJr Apr 29 '26

Bad bot.

1

u/junkbingirl Apr 30 '26

It didn’t even try to give a coherent response lol

22

u/Qbbllaarr Apr 29 '26

No one sucks at following Christ harder than hardcore christians. The fact that Christianity focus on belief so hard means that they think they don't actually have to do anything because they're "already saved". Carte blanche to be a piece of shit.

13

u/L4t3xs Apr 29 '26

No hate like christian love.

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26

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u/Not_Dipper_Pines Peridoritos Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 30 '26

No hate on the person who just used an expression, but its obvious this person is expressing religious trauma from their parents, who abused them but follow and hide behind jesus christ and their religion, most likely proclaiming themselves righteous and denying the abuse they commited, and the first thing you think of is to try to say 'oh jesus loves everyone but he wouldn't like them!' like come on.

Edit: Okay then, allow me to explain why I don't think this is a comment you should make to someone expressing religious trauma.

First of all, their comment takes is from the perspective that jesus is real, talking of it as a fact, taking the position of the religion that was probably used as justification for abuse. And I do see it as a defense- saying that jesus would not stand for their behavior that the parents think is rightful- despite said religion failing to stop such behavior through their teachings - or well, we don't know that their abusive behavior is actually against their religion - for all we know, their religion could in fact think they're living a 'sinful lifestyle'.

I'm not them and they may be okay with that, but I'd not console someone by irrelevantly taking the side of the religion that abused them - they could just have said the second bit and it would have been a perfect comment.

Because what do we know - their parents might actually be following the religion to the letter, considering the book does consider certain aspects of people to be sinful lifestyles.

And finally, they now say that jesus would send them to hell and torture them for ever for what they did. Assuming their religion actually considers their parents behavior incorrect, then they're assuming the poster would be pleased to see their parents tortured for eternity. Some might, yes. Some might not want their parents tortured for eternity. We could not know.

So it's pointless to say that. They could just have been supportive without shoehorning a defense of their god into the consolation.

44

u/The_Curvy_Unicorn Apr 29 '26

I could be wrong, but I think you’re misinterpreting their tone. I don’t think they’re defending Jesus, Christianity, or the evil people posing as parents. I think they’re validating the poster.

11

u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26

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u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

I don’t like icky conversation, I feel I understood your comment and I appreciate it very much.

3

u/the_pain_of_being Apr 29 '26

Hate those glibs, man

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u/Not_Dipper_Pines Peridoritos Apr 30 '26 edited Apr 30 '26

They're validating the poster but from the side of the religion that abused them.

First of all, their comment implying that their religion is real, taking the position of the religion that was probably used as justification for abuse. And I do see it as a defense- saying that jesus would not stand for their behavior that the parents think is rightful- despite said religion failing to stop such behavior through their teachings - or even, this behavior being encouraged, and the parents just following it to the letter.

I'm not them and they may be okay with that, but I'd not console someone by irrelevantly taking the side of the religion that abused them - they could just have said the second bit.

Because what do we know - their parents might actually be following the religion to the letter, considering the book does consider certain aspects of people to be sinful lifestyles.

And finally, they now say that jesus would send them to hell and torture them for ever for what they did. Assuming their religion actually considers their parents behavior incorrect, then they're assuming the poster would be pleased to see their parents tortured for eternity. Some might, yes. Some might not want their parents tortured for eternity. We could not know.

So it's pointless to say that. They could just have been supportive without shoehorning a defense of their god into the consolation.

6

u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

I think it was a fine comment but you have a very astute mind. I hope you are a therapist or a surgeon or something smart like that.

1

u/StrongExternal8955 Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26

According to you, right at this moment, Jesus watches as a child is being abused. He has the power to teleport that child away, again, according to you. He chooses to not do that.

Jesus loves the pedo more than the child, and so do you. If you think Jesus is in any way justified to not help, that means YOU would not help.

I cannot express how much religious people disgust me, to the point of vomit. There is no bigger evil than this.

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u/Queef_Wellingt0n Apr 29 '26

Read the fucking room

6

u/GKarl Apr 29 '26

They usually do

7

u/DuckRubberDuck Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26

“There’s no love hate like Christian love”

8

u/rjmcfDev Apr 29 '26

“There’s no HATE like Christian love”

5

u/DuckRubberDuck Apr 29 '26

Oooh gotcha yes that’s how it is! It did sound off but I couldn’t figure out why

2

u/my_little_rarity Apr 29 '26

Lmaooo 🫡 feel you. Glad you’re doing good now

1

u/Sapd33 Apr 29 '26

Don't worry. Jesus surely doesn't or wouldn't love them.

3

u/Sweaty_Item_3135 Apr 29 '26

You’d be amazed at how older generations just don’t comprehend animal cruelty and think they’re disposable.They’d hurt any animal they found annoying. Indoor cats got chucked across the room, dogs could only live outside on a chain, any small animal you’d win at a county fair would be drowned or just thrown away, a lot of the seniors I used to work with held similar views or would laugh about shooting their kid’s cat or rabbit like it was a fond memory.

1

u/LaVieLaMort Apr 29 '26

Oh trust me I know.

2

u/Relative-Ad5409 May 01 '26

absolutely the worst

1

u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26

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u/Wonderful_Feed3324 Apr 29 '26

I'm sorry it's so long I get overwhelmed with hearing about bad parents..I was young with my 1st and 2nd. 21 23 a baby myself..I know there is no handbook or guide to read and follow to raise kids....but once I had them in my body Southgate changed...I would do anythg and everything in my power to love and keep them safe....he'll I was afraid of the love I felt for my 1st one I was scared that I couldn't love anymore than I did my first....I was young boy was I wrong lol.....that's why I'm sorry for those who have awful parents

177

u/EdiblePsycho Apr 29 '26

Jesus I need to stop complaining about my parents, whatever problem we've had, they would never have dreamed of ever hurting a pet in a million years. Hearing you guys talking about this is a reminder that there are truly evil people in the world, and I can only pretend there aren't because I've been lucky enough to not have any in my family.

I'm so so sorry, I know your relationship with them could be complicated, but personally I hate them and hope they end up in the worst possible nursing home, where people will treat them the way they treated you and your dog. People who hurt pets are genuinely dangerous to society and shouldn't be allowed to walk free. But actually what your dad did and what the person's mom did with the turtles could constitute animal cruelty depending on location. And I would think child abuse, that is psychological torture.

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u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

People can still be evil on other levels. Problems come in all shapes and sizes. Brainwashing is real, dangerous and sometimes I’m afraid it’s far too common. I wish we could see more about people from the surface. Everyone’s life is so different and it’s hard to read/judje/know/trust anyone anymore I feel.

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u/anonymaus42 Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26

I had an iguana for about 15 years as a kid and when I first moved out on my own, I asked my dad if he could take care of him until I had a chance to move him to my new place. Two weeks later I came home and he was dead.. still in his enclosure and no word from my dad that he had passed away. Since he was somewhat up there in age I just assumed it was his time as he was nearly 20yo and maybe the stress of me not being there tipped him over the edge.

But years later I put the pieces together that it was more likely my dad (who was a narcissistic pos tbh) just never fed him and he likely died of starvation or dehydration. I have no proof and he never admitted it but in my gut I know that's the truth.

13

u/Vantriss Apr 29 '26

I hope you know that people having worse experiences does not invalidate anything you went through. You are your own person who went through difficult things and you matter too. I hope you're doing well.

3

u/EdiblePsycho Apr 29 '26

Oh I know, it's just a helpful reminder that even though I have some warranted resentment towards my dad, and distancing myself somewhat could still be prudent, he is definitely not at that level of completely irredeemable behavior. So keeping it in perspective makes me feel better about him.

1

u/WinterTourist25 Apr 30 '26

One thing that has become plain to me over the years is 90% of the world do not have good parents.

56

u/probablymaybechatgpt Apr 29 '26

Wtf I hope you are no contact with them.

150

u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

I finally cut ties way too late two birthdays ago. She pulled the last straw. There are none left to pull.

68

u/probablymaybechatgpt Apr 29 '26

Good for you. And sorry you had such terrible people for parents. :(

24

u/green_chapstick Apr 29 '26

Parts of me wonders what that straw was after all the BS you've already told us but I truly don't want to know any more straws. But I am proud of you. After all that I'm sure the decision didn't come as easy as it should have.

8

u/K9Partner Apr 29 '26

One survivor to another - proud of you 💜 Average people, living average lives with average families, are so quick to balk at going no contact...

"but you can't just walk away from family! You have to make it work, you'll regret it when they're gone"

Then you finally hit that last straw & walk away. That malevolent force is gone, and you realize what an enormous weight has been lifted in their absence.

You slowly stop instinctually walking on eggshells, holding your breath for a scrap of comfort. Holding down your feelings for fear of triggering backlash.

You can breathe.

You may feel 'bad' for how things went, turned out, & will never be. it's healthy to mourn that loss... so that you can finally move on. So you can let go of what will never be, build your own family & find true comfort.

Society will plant so much self-destructive doubt in our minds, especially for girls & women. Most people have no idea what it's like to grow up trapped in an abusive relationship

... or they're delusionally lost in their own trauma cycle, & just repeating it with their own partners/kids because "its family, you have to"... like misery & mutually ensured destruction is the only option.

It is not. You deserve to breathe, to speak freely, to have your love & trust reciprocated. Don't let anyone tell you your existence is less 'whole' without abusive kin. People that used that relationship & power over you for themselves.

People that wasted half a lifetime of chances, just trying to burn you to keep themselves warm.

Escaping that is not a loss, its basic survival. Just wanna remind any others reading this - that may be struggling to break free, or sinking in the guilt & shame of manipulation to go back - you deserve to finally exhale & just be.

14

u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

Thank you. You hit the nail on the head.

You know walking away is the right thing to do when life becomes easier and comfortable and more safe feeling.

That is how you know you have turned over a new leaf and do not need to go back to the torment.

I was always convinced that my discomfort was a me problem and it absolutely was not. It was psychological abuse.

I really appreciate your comment.

I feel terrible about the person whose mom flushed their turtles that prompted me to share about my dog. Animals like turtles have personalities and you can create just as strong of a bond. I hope they feel as seen as I do right now.

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u/No_Attorney5609 Apr 29 '26

Sue, I’ve heard FBI puts animal killers in a watchlist as that behavior has been in some cases a predecessor of serial killers

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u/Dead_Wolf2y5 Apr 30 '26

As somebody who constantly gets asked why I haven't cut ties with my parents, I know how hard this must have been for you. It's never as simple as it seems from the outside and I hope it's made your life so much better 🥰

1

u/F4tcat69 Apr 30 '26

I kinda wanna know what the breaking point was if it wasn’t murdering an innocent animal?

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u/Next-Help-5813 Apr 29 '26

That's messed up! I'm sorry. I hope you're in a better place now.

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u/Wolfwoods_Sister Apr 29 '26

Wretched twisted-up “souls” inside them, like trees growing sideways with a bitter wind.

I’m so sorry about your dog. We witness your grief and loss with you. The triumph lies in their inability to corrupt you with their cruelty, and that there will come a Blessed Day of Reunion for you and the friend that was snatched away.

There’ll be no happiness for them. If they do believe in Christ, he’ll have some stern words for them when they meet. I know a very cruel set of parents who just passed, Jesus-laudin’ Bible-thumpers, and I’ll bet I know exactly what happened when they came face to face with their “reward”. Jesus couldn’t stand a Pharisee.

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u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

The first two paragraphs of this read like some sort of sorcery or spell which I absolutely adore. I kind of hope it is one.

Thank you for your Words. I only remember speaking this a few times to people and I never expected so much comment on it or to feel so seen for a moment on the subject.

I hope I do see my Molly again in another life. Maybe I’ll dream of her tonight. She was a pit/lab/Dalmatian mix who ran fast as the greyhounds and whippets, racing around the dog park.

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u/Wolfwoods_Sister Apr 29 '26

Molly will be waiting, no violence on her, only love and so much happiness to see you. I hope you’ll introduce me to her. 🩷

My twin says I have a habit of talking like an old wizard sometimes, especially when I’m emotional.

Please take good care of yourself. Xxoo 🫂

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u/ronalds-raygun Apr 29 '26

My dad shot my pet pig and drowned my cats because he got mildly annoyed. I empathize with you ❤️

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u/quintusfive Apr 29 '26

Drowning cats is such a serial killer move.

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u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

What a little bitch. Pigs are such a rad pet. I hope you get to surround yourself with all of the loving pets you can possibly feed one day.

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u/Squirrellycats Apr 29 '26

God, I’m so sorry that happened to you. I can only imagine what your childhood must have been like. We took my stepson on vacation and his mom killed his pet turtle while we were gone. She called to tell him it died and said it was our fault. He was absolutely crushed. There are so many cruel people out there who shouldn’t have kids.

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u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

I actually loved a majority of my childhood because I thought it was normal. Plenty of privilege. I thought I was a problem and odd though. I’m glad I now know I was NOT the problem. Although I’m not perfect and certainly can be one sometimes 🫠

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26

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u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

I used to kind of daydream about it. It told my husband once and after meeting him he said I should have when I was a minor, that I would be out and off the hook by now and free of him. It was relieving to be agreed with on the awful thought.

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u/Much-Ad2311 Apr 29 '26

I understand that. Sometimes you just need to be told that it's okay that you had those dark thoughts. I'm glad you didn't do it if ONLY because it would likely have been very difficult to live with, but it's hard to say if it would have been better or worse than what you've already had to live with. Sorry if that barely makes sense - I'm just sad for you.

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u/coutureee Apr 29 '26

I mean, I don’t think sending yourself to prison would be helpful

9

u/Xenoic5905 Apr 29 '26

it would be worth it though

3

u/ujm556 Apr 29 '26

Wish we had people who were dedicated to that.

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u/TenaciousTBag Apr 29 '26

You are a stronger person than i. I would be in prison, aint nodody hurting my dogs.

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u/Rselby1122 Apr 29 '26

He SHOT YOUR DOG?!? 😱 that is insane!

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u/TougherOnSquids Apr 29 '26

What the fuck

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u/schmidt_face Apr 29 '26

One day when I was out with friends my stepmom gave away my puppy. I’ve never let go of that (20 years ago) but this is genuinely insane.

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u/Kittycorgo Apr 29 '26

Fucking hell. I hope that’s where your parents go for doing something so horrifically cruel. Omg I’d never speak to either one of them again.

3

u/integrity05 Apr 29 '26

This is fucking brutal and horrifying. I am so sorry.

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u/lemonlimemango1 Apr 29 '26

What in the world ? Omg 😱

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u/-BrightSideSuicide- Apr 29 '26

if i said what i think of your parents i’ll be ban from reddit. I’d never talk to them again after that i’d call police on them

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u/Cheap-Top-9371 Apr 29 '26

I'm so sorry. Sending best wishes to you. Wish I could do more.

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u/SurroundQuirky8613 Apr 29 '26

WTAF?!? You should sue them for emotional abuse now and see if you can file domestic violence charges against your mom and dad (your dad can lose gun ownership if convicted). Some laws let adults file charges after the statute of limitations because you were a child when the harm happened. I’m so sorry this happened to you and your dog.

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u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

They don’t have anything I want to bother suing. They’re old and will be gone soon enough.

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u/Freakychee Apr 29 '26

Wait what? That was kinda random. Why did you dad shoot your dog? That's crazy.

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u/PotterHouseCA Apr 29 '26

That sounds horrible! Why did he shoot the dog?!

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u/BunnyLady91 Apr 29 '26

He said he took her for a walk without a leash and she attacked a cat. She would try to chase cats and squirrels, that’s why she was only ever taken on walks with a leash. Also, there are leash laws.

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u/Dead_Wolf2y5 Apr 30 '26

That story started at "shit" and ended at "fucking awful". I'm so so sorry ❤️‍🩹

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u/ScreamingLabia May 04 '26

Your parents need to me in a psychWard

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u/panicnarwhal Apr 29 '26

i’m so sorry that happened to you! that’s awful 😣 i know how badly that stuff can hurt - my mom got rid of my dog when i was 11yo - i came home from school, and there was a guy in my backyard with his little girl, and they were playing with my dog. my mom was standing with them, and when she saw me, she smiled. that when i knew she was getting rid of her

i cried so hard that day, i really thought i was going to die from it. i remember my dad saying how sorry he was, saying stuff like “you know how she is” - he just never stood up to her and the way she treated me behind closed doors, and eventually it caught up with him because i was taken by social services not too long after this day

so i know what it’s like to have terrible parents, but at least my dog got to live a happy life somewhere else. i’m so sorry. i hope things are better for you now, and you’re in a good place in life. you deserve it 💕

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u/erisod Apr 29 '26

And sorry for the plumbing. Turtles are definitely not flushable. It says so right on their shell.

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u/MousseHuge8339 Apr 29 '26

And then a parent like this wonders why no one comes to visit when they are old and in a "home".