The dog needs to be boarded. Your sister has a hell of a nerve assuming the dog is welcome, particularly if this was a bone of contention between you in the past. You should send her an email saying "I think Mom must have gotten her wires crossed, but I just wanted to loop back with you. She says you are planning to bring Bowser, and while I understand that you love Bowser, it's just not feasible for him to stay at our house during the upcoming holiday. If Mom got her info wrong, then disregard this email! Thanks. Love you."

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

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.

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?

Wow, entitled much?!

No, it is not ok to bring your dog everywhere and assume it's your right to do so.

All good advice OP. I'd just call her up and say you are really hoping that they will come as a family but the dog stays home. And no matter what, do NOT feel bad about it.

Anonymous wrote:Your sister should definitely ask before bringing her pet to your house. It's a little strange not wanting a family member's dog to come when you already have one though. Can't her dog be confined to the same area as yours? Could the dog be crated when it gets to hyper?

STRANGE? This woman is hosting 12 people plus her own family. HER DOG LIVES THERE!! What a very odd comment to imply she doesn't ike dogs because she is not welcoming another frisky 90 pound dog...what an ignorant statement! OP you have every right to say and back your husband up on this. Gee whiz, who needs the hassle of another big dog. Your sister sound super pushy, no offense and like she has no regard for others and their feelings. My advice is to address this right away, though so she can make plans. Sounds like she needs some common sense refresher lessons. Good luck.

Your sister should definitely ask before bringing her pet to your house. It's a little strange not wanting a family member's dog to come when you already have one though. Can't her dog be confined to the same area as yours? Could the dog be crated when it gets to hyper?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Goddamn dog people. I'm much happier with my clean, low maintenance, self-sufficient cats. Your sister is being a jerk, OP. Lay down the law! No dog!

+1 I love cat people. Dogs are fithly animals and dog people are freaking nuts - they are not PEOPLE they are just dogs....

Oh hell no. Cat people are so weird.

My dog can pass for human. Sometimes I put him in jeans and a tee shirt and take him out to dinner.



A waiter once referred to him as a "dog" so I called the manager over and complained about his rude waitstaff. Problem solved.

Anonymous wrote:Goddamn dog people. I'm much happier with my clean, low maintenance, self-sufficient cats. Your sister is being a jerk, OP. Lay down the law! No dog!

+1 I love cat people. Dogs are fithly animals and dog people are freaking nuts - they are not PEOPLE they are just dogs....

Anonymous wrote:I can't stand the smell of dogs. They will stink up your house and it's quite rude/entitled to think she can just bring a giant dog. As others have said...that is what hotels or kennels are for. I won't eat anything made by people who have dogs in their houses. They pet the dog, lick the bowl, and then offer you the cookies they made. Gross. Also hate how many people treat dogs better than their kids.

I'm laughing so hard! I think the same thing. Gross.

Anonymous wrote:You are being totally reasonable. A dog is not a person. Stand your ground. Sis can stay in a hotel or skip Christmas.

My dog is a person.

Really, she is.

Anonymous wrote:

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?

So there you go! Problem solved! OP, no way would this fly in my house. No dog, no sister. They can stay in a hotel.

+1

There are dog-friendly hotels (La Quinta Inn for example) she can book. Another alternative is dogvacay.com - she can board the dog at a private home and visit it during the day if she wants.

OP, what a nightmare! I would say, just tell her "don't bring your dog" ((are you NUTS!!) but people who "never board their dogs" tend to be a bit nuts about it. There is no talking to them. They just get that far away look -- I can't board my darling smelly Rover...even if it means I never leave my house...
Try to stand your ground and say NO DOG. Even if you have to board your own dog. I know crazy but all those people and two dogs also? Your sis sounds very spoiled. GL.

Just call your sister and say" mom told me your planing on bringing rover to Christmas. I'm sorry buts that's just not going to work for us. Your going to need to board him or get a pet sitter because our house is just too full with year"