How should I feel about this?

[Anonymous]

My MIL is a nice enough person, but super stupid. We were visiting our inlaws and my husband's sister for thanksgiving. My SiL just got a dog. She insisted that we stay at her house. Since I am wary of dogs, I asked both of my inlaws if my toddler would be safe around the dog. Keep in mind my toddler is 2 and loves to pull dog tails, etc. So, I was more than happy to say in a hotel away from the dog if the dog was skittish in any way. My FIL and MIL insisted that the dog was essentially a stuffed animal come to life and would be fine around a toddler.

We go for the visit, and my SIL is lovely. We had a great time, and of course were careful around the dog. At one point during thanksgiving dinner, the dog snuck into the house without us knowing. For some reason, the dog attacked the toddler, biting him on the hand.

I should stress that my toddler is FINE. NO skin was broken, no bruising, nothing. He got a scare and cried, but within 15 minutes was asking where the dog went. The dog was hustled into another part of the house. My SIL was mortified, but frankly, I am pretty sure my son yanked on the dog's tail or something and the dog reacted. For the remainder of the trip we were more careful with making sure they were apart and I talked to my son about being more gentle. We had a good time and came home. My toddler has no problems at all with his hand and I had it checked out by a doctor friend just in case.

Upon coming home, my MIL called my husband and told him that under NO CIRCUMSTANCES were we to return to my SIL's house. We should NEVER stay there again. Keep in mind THEY insisted we stay at my SIL's house not a hotel. Apparently the dog had bitten her before, AND broken the skin, but she hadn't told us this so we wouldn't be scared.

WHY ON EARTH WOULD SHE LIE ABOUT THE DOG'S TEMPERAMENT? I am mad at her, but I haven't bothered saying anything to her because she's so stupid it's almost not worth it. Apparently my SIL was not told that her dog bit her MIL either. FWIW, my SIL thinks this dog is her child, do I'd like to tread lightly. We have no plans to visit my SIL in the future, so I don't want to raise a huge ruckus over nothing. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Let it go.

MIL sounds like a martyr and a drama queen.

You sound like you're rational about how your DC interacts with dogs. By the time you go for another visit the dog will be more comfortable in its new home and your DC will be older and less likely to torment the dog.

[Anonymous]

When one person tells me what I can and can't do in someone else's house, I ignore them. Maybe call your sil and let her know your son is fine and there are no hard feelings, and you will stress only touching the dog gently and with supervision in the future,and hope to see her soon. See what HER reaction is, and take it from there.

[Anonymous]

She could be stupid, she could also enjoy holding onto secrets between the siblings (even if they're not really secrets, but a secret/drama she has created). It's manipulative and sounds like she willing to play this game even if it means putting her grandchild in danger. She's kind of twisted and I wouldn't trust her.

As far as the dog goes, even the sweetest dog can't be expected to not react when his tail is yanked on. I would not allow the baby anywhere near the dog unsupervised.

[Anonymous]

mil is probably blaming herself for the bite since she told you it would be fine.
I wouldn't worry about doggy incidents in the future, the dog won't be a puppy much longer and will settle down. Your toddler also won't be a baby for much longer (sad- I know) and will naturally be more gentle around dogs as time goes by.
Don't play into the crazy drama.

[Anonymous]

Let it go and don't stay at their house again. She was probably hoping for the best. Given your discomfort, I do not understand why you agreed to stay at the house.

[Anonymous]

The MIL sounds annoying and you're right to be pissed that she basically lied to you before. But try to separate her being annoying from what you do next. If you had known that the dog bit the MIL before you came this time, you definitely would not have stayed at SIL's house. So don't do it next time. I bring this up only because I would have a tendency to be reactionary and purpose buck the MIL's command, even though it's not in my interest to do so. Your SIL will be slightly embarassed/offended when you stay at the hotel, but she seems even keel and if you're otherwise nice to her on the trip, she will get over it.

[Anonymous]

You blame everyone but yourself. If you had been watching your child, none of this would have happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You blame everyone but yourself. If you had been watching your child, none of this would have happened.

I don't see her blaming anyone. She's annoyed and confused as to why MIL would lie, and rightfully so.