What does it mean to never pet a burning dog?

Answer 1

The phrase "never pet a burning dog" is likely a metaphorical expression cautioning against getting involved in dangerous or risky situations. Just as it would be unwise to touch a burning dog due to the risk of injury, the saying suggests avoiding potentially harmful or destructive circumstances. It emphasizes the importance of exercising caution and making wise choices to protect oneself from harm.

Answer 2

This is a quote used in the HBO mini series "Generation Kill". A dog likes to be pet, however, a dog on fire has a new set of priorities and getting pet is low on the list. Add to that, a petter would be exposed to a unpleasant burning sensation and a likely bite from petting said dog. The characters in "Generation Kill" were in Iraq trying to help the people by ridding them of Saddam's oppressive regime but they soon realized that the people of the region had bigger problems than those targeted for solution by Coalition forces and their efforts were an unwelcome distraction. So 'pet' = 'remove Saddam's regime' and 'burning' = 'poverty, corruption, civil unrest etc.'

However, Generation Kill came out in 2008. One of the earliest verifiable sources may be Warcraft II (1995) though the phrase has probably been around far longer. Every now and then, within the in-game tips screen, various quirky phrases would appear, and "Never pet a burning dog" was one of them.

Answer 3

This phrase is typically used to emphasize the importance of avoiding inherently dangerous or harmful situations. It is meant to convey the idea that some actions are so obviously harmful that they should never be attempted.