Relatives bringing their dog to stay in my house.

...

 

So they drag the dog evrywhere they go? I just say you can't own animal.

 

I would make sure she was going to be bringing a cage. I know that people love their pets as much as children, but what matters is your childrens safty (how old are they?) is more important at this point.

I would also make sure she was aware that if the dog started chasing, or pestering the children that your kids come first and that the dog would have to be either put in a room, or the cage.

Small dogs dont usually shed that much, and who knows the kids might love having a little furball running around.

Is the dog really the issue, or is it the fact that your MIL usually takes this sort of demanding attitude? I agree, she could have at least Asked and made sure she was going to make accomadations so that it would suit everyone.

Good Luck Get the dog some big soup bones, and insist she eats them in the backyard

 

I wouldn't make a big deal of it myself. The fact they bringing the dog with them to your house doesn't change that they have to look after him. And it's a pup so it's shouldn't be a big threat for the kids neither. And what's the alternative? Leave it with other people probably. No, I think it could go just fine.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone.
Earth Girl- I have a 5 year old daughter( that is blind in one eye because a puppy playfully knocked her down and scratched her eye when she was younger), I also have 3 year old triplets( two girls and a boy), and a 14 month old son.

I don't think this woman is going to let her dogs feet touch the ground outside honestly, but I'll have to check into it. I think you were right when you said that it may have been my MIL's attitude towards it that its causing the problem.

 

What a terrible thing to have happen! How is she now around dogs??

I would definatly play it cool with the MIL, but I would also remind her of what Could happen...

Im sorry that you and your daughter had such a bad experience!


I bet your right, the dog wont touch the floor.. your MIL will probably be more worried about the kids hurting the dog!

 

Oh wow, with the the bad experience you've already had with a dog and one of your children, you have the right to say no to the dog. Your children are very young and the dog may not be used to being around children. That could be a problem.

I watched my BILs small dog for a few weeks recently while they were on vacation. This was a dog that doesn't step a foot outside. Ever! I didn't know that when we agreed to "dog sit". Like you, we don't have pets. By the end of 3 weeks, the dog was about to drive us crazy, our house smelled (even though the dog was groomed right before coming to our house), and we vowed "never again".

 

At first, I was going to say just try to deal with this as much as possible to avoid an argument, although I think your MIL was very rude to just assume you'd take in a dog. I love, love, love animals, so I try to avoid keeping them tied outside or in a pen as much as I can (unfortunately, I cannot let my bird out of her pen, as I fear her getting hurt or killed by one of my other pets), so I understand where she is coming from. Some people, including myself, become extremely attached to pets. I have a dog who has social anxiety disorder and destroys our home every time we leave, but I love him too much to keep him tied or in a cage, so I usually take him with me. I would probably do this even if he didn't have this problem. I see my pets more as children, so I get very motherly around them . After reading about your daughter's experience, however, I completely understand why you would be fearful. You should definitely make your MIL aware of this. I am sure she would be understanding. Do you have a basement or another room where the dog could stay? Just be extra careful watching the pup around your daughter.

Also, if you're worried about her dog shedding or being dirty and whatnot, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Animals usually practice better hygiene than most humans I have encountered .

 

what??? a dog is gonna walk in her house and say,,"oh this isnt my house i cant shed"??

thats the dumbest thing ive heard in a while.a animal cant control its shedding.. and if she has allergies it doesnt matter how "hygenic " the dog is ,,shes allergic to the dog not the dirt..


as far as the visit,if you dont want the dog in your house,just say no...

they should have thought of the implications of having a pet beforehand.. its your house,you are under no obligations to cater to them just because they chose to get a pet.

just say no...

 

I never said a dog could control its shedding. If she is allergic to dogs, that is another story. If she's not, I find it stupid to make a big deal out of hair that can easily be cleaned up.

 

My husband is mildly allergic to dog hair..it mainly makes his eyes water, nose run, and gives him terrible headaches. He gets over it after about an hour being away from the animal. Luckily he's worse with cats.

I wish we did have a room that we could just close off, but we live in a very small house. My husband only gets to see his father once a year, so I guess I'm going to have to try and suck it up and let the dog stay inside.

Thanks to everyone that had comments about my daughter too. She LOVES dogs, she was never really scared of them even right after the incident. I think it's me that's terrified that she might get hurt again, or one of my other children might get hurt.

Thanks again everyone. You guys have made me feel so much better.

 

So when is this infamous visit going to be?? Hope it goes well

 

Just feed it a nice big bowl of Prestone Anti-Freeze

 

They emailed us yesterday and said that she can't get off work when they were supposed to come visit, so now they're coming in early December. I'm running out of time to come up with a solution.

I think I will call her tomorrow and let her know that the dog will have to stay in their room until we slowly figure out how it will do with the kids. If she's not ok with that, then I don't know what to do.

 

I spoke to my MIL tonight. We couldn't come up with an agreement about the dog because she says that the dog should have free roam of any part of the house that it wants. She said that it has free roam of her house, so it should have free roam of anyone's house that she chooses to visit. She even mentioned that since my husband is only mildly allergic to dog hair, that it should be allowed to "nap" on our bed since that's it's normal routine and they will just be sleeping on a couch, so it wouldn't be very comfortable for the dog. I'm pretty much done at this point.

Long story short. The children and I have arranged to go out of town to visit relatives, and my husband can stay here with his family and their dog. Now everyone can be happy.

 

Well, that doesn't seem very fair at all to you and your children. She knows about your daughter and still insists on bringing her dog along? She has every right to treat her dog as she will in her own house, but you are the owner of your house, and as such, you make the rules. I understand she's your husband's mother and all, but you would think there would be a better solution to this, rather than you and your children leaving so her dog can have top care. Like I said before, people can get motherly over their pets, so I can see where she is coming from with pampering her dog; however, I fail to understand how she can be so rude and imposing. Whenever I bring my dog places, I ask for permission. If they'd rather my dog not be in their home, then they have the right to tell me so. With your husband's allergies and your daughter's awful experience, I certainly understand why you feel the way you do. If it was me, I would tell her kindly that having the dog there would cause many problems for everyone and it would be appreciated if the dog could stay somewhere else for the time being. If she doesn't have anyone to watch her dog, she could pay someone. There are a lot of people who are willing to watch pets. If she catches an attitude, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Is she worth the worry if she honestly expected you to put your husband and children in an awkward situation? Starting family fights is never good, but letting others take advantage of you can be very damaging.

 

I would let your husband confront her.... its his step mom, right?


Or maybe you can go through his father... might be an easier approach.

Im sure you have baby gates, maybe putting a gate up on the door would be a better compromise than a shut door.

Rememer, everything might go just fine, and its being built up too much with what-ifs.

 

I wonder, what kind of harm it does to an animal to treat it like a human child. To force it to be something it isnt, going against its nature. It makes for a nurotic animal. Not only does it warp the poor creature but it is Extreamly unhealthy for your babies.

Puppies are full of several different kinds of worms and other parasites.. no matter how much you worm them.. they will still develop more worms. To sleep with a dog/puppy/cat, the worms crawl out them and in you!!! This is a proven fact known by all doctors/health care providers. That is not even to mention other health threatening bactieria that puppies carry, like E-Coli.. They lick their anus where E-Coli and worms breed, licking your babies in the face/mouth or licking their fingers and then putting them in their mouths. Plus as you know, bless your heart, they push and scratch, scratches can turn to staf real fast.

Your mother in law sounds like a selfrightious , controling person that cares more for a puppy then her/his grandchildren.. you are quiet right to take the kids and flee..( understanding and being compassionate to your spouse). but she has no right to see them if she would put them in jepordy, just to have her own way, how insensitive of her to even suggest it knowing what happen to your five yr old.. how absolutly selfish.. Babies come FIRST!! PERIOD!!

I would make it understood tho, that you would not be leaving your HOME again bc of her rude demands, and that if she decided to visit again, that the dog would be kenneled outside or left at home with a sitter.. or that she stay home with the mut and let the father come by himself (to get a little peace from her and to have a more pleasent visit with your husband).

This is just my professional opinion as a Health Care Provider and a Dog Breeder.

( I can't get over how your MIL would rather have her dog then to see her grandkids at christmas, even tho they are not her blood, she took em on with grandpa.. that woman needs a wakeup call, or a kick in the girdle)

Wishing you well
sh