Obligations toward extended family pets

[Anonymous]

My in-laws' dog died and they want to get a new dog. They really love a specific breed and are looking at rescues. The issue is that these rescues usually have dogs with a ton of problems (physical and behavioral), as their old dog and the ones before that did. I really do not care for that breed. We will end up caring for the dog when they go away which is fine, but will I be obligated to care for that dog if something happens to them as they are now nearing 80? We have pets ourselves and I could never imagine giving them away, but we chose them. We've suggested getting a cat instead, or a couple more appropriate dogs but they didn't care for the types. Am I wrong to have some feelings about this situation?

[Anonymous]

This is absolutely none of your business.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s silly to worry about that now. Deal with that when it’s actually an issue.

[Anonymous]

Disagree, i think now is the time to let them know that if they get another pug-a-poo or whatever horror the puppy mills are selling, you will not be able to petsit, nor adopt it. Be very clear that they will be boarding the little mutant, and make sure they accept that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Disagree, i think now is the time to let them know that if they get another pug-a-poo or whatever horror the puppy mills are selling, you will not be able to petsit, nor adopt it. Be very clear that they will be boarding the little mutant, and make sure they accept that.

This. "When the queen was your age she stopped getting new corgis because they would outlive her and that's so stressful and sad for the dog. If you really have to get one, who is going to take it if "the worst" happens? We cannot."

[Anonymous]

All you have control over is that you say "these breeds tend to have behavioral problems, as you have seen with your last two dogs of this breed. Obviously you are free to get whatever you want, but know we will not watch this dog when you're away traveling - you will have to board it or find alternate arrangements. It will not be welcome in our home."

Then they can make whatever decision they want with that information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All you have control over is that you say "these breeds tend to have behavioral problems, as you have seen with your last two dogs of this breed. Obviously you are free to get whatever you want, but know we will not watch this dog when you're away traveling - you will have to board it or find alternate arrangements. It will not be welcome in our home."

Then they can make whatever decision they want with that information.

Learn to read, a$$hole. She said she's "fine" watching the dog when they go away. She's worried about what to do with the dog if it outlives them.

[Anonymous]

Once they’ve gotten their next dog, make sure you find out which rescue they used, because that’s who will rehome the dog again when your in-laws are no longer able to care for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All you have control over is that you say "these breeds tend to have behavioral problems, as you have seen with your last two dogs of this breed. Obviously you are free to get whatever you want, but know we will not watch this dog when you're away traveling - you will have to board it or find alternate arrangements. It will not be welcome in our home."

Then they can make whatever decision they want with that information.

Learn to read, a$$hole. She said she's "fine" watching the dog when they go away. She's worried about what to do with the dog if it outlives them.

DP. If she pet sits, they will absolutely not believe that she won't take it in when they die.

Which could be fine if OP is willing to be cold and turn the animal back to the rescue. The in-laws won't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely none of your business.

Of course it’s OP’s business, as they are likely to either have to take in the dog or arrange to have it put down, and it’s really terrible to put that kind of Sophie’s choice on someone without their consent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely none of your business.

Of course it’s OP’s business, as they are likely to either have to take in the dog or arrange to have it put down, and it’s really terrible to put that kind of Sophie’s choice on someone without their consent.

They have no obligation to do either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All you have control over is that you say "these breeds tend to have behavioral problems, as you have seen with your last two dogs of this breed. Obviously you are free to get whatever you want, but know we will not watch this dog when you're away traveling - you will have to board it or find alternate arrangements. It will not be welcome in our home."

Then they can make whatever decision they want with that information.

Learn to read, a$$hole. She said she's "fine" watching the dog when they go away. She's worried about what to do with the dog if it outlives them.

DP. If she pet sits, they will absolutely not believe that she won't take it in when they die.

Which could be fine if OP is willing to be cold and turn the animal back to the rescue. The in-laws won't know.

Doing that wouldn’t make OP cold. OP kindly dogsits for her in-laws even though their dogs have historically had behavioral issues. OP is thinking ahead and encouraging them to adopt a dog she could live with, because she is not a cold person. The in-laws are the cold ones; they’re the ones who aren’t being reasonable and want to take on a poorly behaved dog who has a decent chance of living longer than they are able to care it. They are prioritizing their desire over everything else, including the best interests of this hypothetical next pet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely none of your business.

Of course it’s OP’s business, as they are likely to either have to take in the dog or arrange to have it put down, and it’s really terrible to put that kind of Sophie’s choice on someone without their consent.

They have no obligation to do either.

So, what, just leave it in the house when the 80 year olds pass away or become too frail to care for it?

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised a rescue is willing to let them have a dog. I would at least raise the issue: "Did the rescue ask what your backup plans are? Because we're willing to take care of a dog for a week or two, but if you were out of commission for longer than that, we'd have to say no. We don't want the responsibility of dog ownership."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disagree, i think now is the time to let them know that if they get another pug-a-poo or whatever horror the puppy mills are selling, you will not be able to petsit, nor adopt it. Be very clear that they will be boarding the little mutant, and make sure they accept that.

This. "When the queen was your age she stopped getting new corgis because they would outlive her and that's so stressful and sad for the dog. If you really have to get one, who is going to take it if "the worst" happens? We cannot."

The queen died with four dogs?