Dealing with immeasurable amounts of information is one heck of a task, especially when it comes to social media. We Rate Dogs’s Matt Nelson said in an interview with Esquire that the platform allows people to feel a sense of safety and happiness amidst the online chaos. “If you're in the wrong parts of Twitter, it can easily be described as a cesspool of horrible things. So in that way, you can see my account as an escape,” he explained.
Since the first dog photo rating post aired in 2015, Nelson’s approach to We Rate Dogs has changed. At first, it was all about making a joke as funny as possible, but now, most of the time, he evaluates social-media analytics, calculates profits, and responds to emails. One may think of the influence the school has had on the young entrepreneur, but Nelson is quite bitter. "The only thing I owe to this school is the boredom that caused me to start the account in the first place," he said to Esquire.
You’ve probably noticed that many cute dogs on WeRateDogs Twitter have special needs—some of them have experienced abuse, while others have health conditions.
Bored Panda spoke to Antonio Diaz, K9 Trainer and behavioral specialist, about what it’s like to adopt an animal who needs that extra care. According to Antonio, even if the “special needs” are relative, there are a couple of things to be considered. First, “the vet bills and unforeseen responsibilities” are higher. He explains: “Any person wanting to take on a dog like this should first fully understand the time, dedication and possible financial responsibility that they will acquire. The last thing you want to happen is to have unrealistic expectations and need to rehome the dog.”
On the other hand, some very healthy dogs might also need an extra bit of care. “For example, an extremely fearful dog can certainly be considered special needs due to the fact that they need extra care, special handling procedures and behavioral training, all of which require more time, patience and attention to detail.”
In the end, it all comes down to the amount of attention the owner is willing to give their adorable pet. In the end, having a dog at home always requires work. “The idea of loving any silly dog and having them be a part of your family is wonderful. But the reality of the work involved can quickly change things for some people.” Antonio adds that “not everyone is cut out for it and that’s okay.”
