A dreaded holiday dliemma need your input!

[Anonymous]

I'm my families crazy dog lady. My dogs come or I stay home. Truthfully, I'd rather stay home---so the dogs are a fantastic excuse.

[Anonymous]

Your sister is nuts. We have an extremely well trained and well behaved German Shepherd. My family members love dogs and have their own in their homes. I would still never in a million years bring my dog when we visit. He goes to doggy camp for a few days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a small well behaved dog who travels with me and comes to relatives homes. I'm very sensitive to the fact that others don't like dogs, but I would never board him. I simply just don't stay with family who doesn't like/allow dogs. I think you'd need to make a choice- sister and dog or no sister for the holidays. Dogs are a part of many people's families and it's pretty cruel IMO to board a dog over Christmas. Besides, children love being with their pets over Christmas.

Is their dog bad? You didn't imply that it was a bad dog and you already own a dog, so how much work could one more dog be?

Cruel for the dog? I guess the dog would wonder how Santa will find him at the kennel. That could be stressful on a dog, indeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what happened in the years after your confrontation with your sister about bringing the dog? If it was clear that the dog was uninvited from that point on and she did not bring the dog, then you are right to be upset. If, on the other hand, you allowed her to continue bringing the dog, then I'm not sure why you would expect something different.

It always surprises me that people have such strong opinions that dogs are never invited and it's overstepping to just bring them. Both my family and my in laws (extended families on both sides) just assume you are bringing your dogs and that's fine with them. No need to ask in advance. Some families are just that way while with others pets are on an invitation only basis. There is no right or wrong - only norms within a family. Truthfully, sometimes I find the dogs easier to deal with than some of the kids.

Good luck dealing with this. It sounds like you will need to do some tip toeing around your sister's feelings on this one.

Yes. What has happened with the dog in recent years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your husband is already being accomodating by hosting your parents, your sister and her 4 kdis, as well as your aunt, uncle and their kid for the holiday. He has made it clear he does not want your sister's dog there. Back him up on this and tell her no. Your husband deserves to have your support on this; it's not unreasonable at all.

+1000

+2000

[Anonymous]

Hi its me the OP. Thanks for validating my feelings...glad its not just me (with a few exceptions). Well....they dont' visit much, the time they did bring him was about 2 years ago and they have only been here 1 other time since then and didn't have the dog with them because they were going elsewhere after here....she knows my feelings trust me we have made it quite clear. So I sent her an email last night saying firmly that we cannot host the dog but are really looking forward to seeing them, its just too much with so many people and that my dog as he is older now needs a mellow and calm environment (true) and it will still be nuts with all these people but we dont' need another dog to the mix...didn't even tell my husband who would flip and think she has flipped too to even assume. I am not going there.....will update you when I hear back!

And to the person who thinks its cruel to board a dog over Christmas...are you serious? I thinks whats cruel is to abuse or neglect a dog.....taking care of him and putting him in a safe and clean place that will take good care of him and where he can socialize with other dogs IS NOT CRUEL!

[Anonymous]

Man. Most of you are incredibly fussy. I am glad that most of you are not related to me.

[Anonymous]

It is cruel to board a dog period. It has nothing to do with Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is cruel to board a dog period. It has nothing to do with Christmas.

There are plenty of people that will "home board" if you have trouble with the institutional boarding. We use a neighbor. Dog loves going there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is cruel to board a dog period. It has nothing to do with Christmas.

OP I hope your sister isn't like this crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is cruel to board a dog period. It has nothing to do with Christmas.

OP I hope your sister isn't like this crazy.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is cruel to board a dog period. It has nothing to do with Christmas.

More cruel than transporting it to a strange place with limited areas for it to move around and the commotion of 11 extra people and expecting that not to stress an animal?

Oh and by the way . . . the dog has no idea it's Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is cruel to board a dog period. It has nothing to do with Christmas.

More cruel than transporting it to a strange place with limited areas for it to move around and the commotion of 11 extra people and expecting that not to stress an animal?

Oh and by the way . . . the dog has no idea it's Christmas.

Correct. That is why it has nothing to do with Christmas. If you care so much about this dog, pay for a dog sitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is cruel to board a dog period. It has nothing to do with Christmas.

More cruel than transporting it to a strange place with limited areas for it to move around and the commotion of 11 extra people and expecting that not to stress an animal?

Oh and by the way . . . the dog has no idea it's Christmas.

Correct. That is why it has nothing to do with Christmas. If you care so much about this dog, pay for a dog sitter.

My dog is fine as long as he is with me. Boarding him is cruel. It stresses the dogs out immensely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is cruel to board a dog period. It has nothing to do with Christmas.

More cruel than transporting it to a strange place with limited areas for it to move around and the commotion of 11 extra people and expecting that not to stress an animal?

Oh and by the way . . . the dog has no idea it's Christmas.

Correct. That is why it has nothing to do with Christmas. If you care so much about this dog, pay for a dog sitter.

My dog is fine as long as he is with me. Boarding him is cruel. It stresses the dogs out immensely.

You sound like the kind of person who also has a house full of cats and no other family members (aka spouse and kids) its all bout you alone and your pets...creepy how you equate pets with humans.

OP its YOUR house, YOUR rules. Period. She was very nervy to assume that she could bring a pet goldfish much less a huge dog!