Anonymous wrote:I would send out a reminder before the event about no dogs, saying something like “l know a few of you wish you could bring your dogs, and we are sorry you cannot attend, but we have organized this as a pet-free party and most guests prefer it that way.”

By doing that, you have ensured no one can claim they thought their special dog was allowed, and the rest of the guests (eg, MIL) can be assured that there was no opportunity for confusion.

I like this combined with the other draft email. I agree that you should skip the part about the niece’s allergies.

Anonymous wrote:1. I view my dogs as members of my family, so don't agree with that sentiment.
2. I don't take them where they are not wanted or invited, and never would take them to your place in these circumstances. Don't give in.

This plus, that's a hell of a lot of dogs.

No dogs, period. And the fact that you are boarding your dog reinforces the rule.

11:12 again. I forgot to say that I have a dog and definitely view her as an important part of my nuclear family. But I realize nobody besides us feels that way and I would never impose her on others!!

Jeezus, are these people insane? Do they understand that you are hosting an event in your home, not organizing an event in a public place? I can’t believe how rude and entitled they are. What is their relation to you?

The others who support you should really chime in with their support. It’s not fair that you are left fighting this fight alone.

Niece is allergic. Other kids are scared/nervous. Hosts don’t want dogs. Any one of these things is enough to repel the incredible rudeness. Stand calm but extremely firm. Tell them it’s not up for debate or petition or discussion. And let them know that if anyone shows up with a dog, the dog will not be permitted and they’ll have to find local boarding. (You should research some nearby boarding places and rover.com options in case the dog nuts try to pull something.)

I don’t think this will end well

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love cats and dogs but wouldn't never bring them to a house where they're not welcome.

That being said, that's many problems just because of ONE allergic person. I would have done something outside so that everybody's happy. Or wouldn't have invited that person.
Sorry but at some point it's a lot of stress just for one person.

The initial impulse may have been for the allergic niece, but OP has posted that other family members are thanking her for taking a stand.

I love dogs but I actually hate to be in a situation where people bring badly socialized dogs into a chaotic setting - it's stressful for the dog and only asking for trouble. She's describing a situation where the ones demanding their pets be allowed were planning on there being at least 5 dogs present including OP's, two are large and jumpy, one pees indoors, and another nips at people? And there will be children there, not even getting into the allergies. No thanks. In fact, hell no.

In my experience people with aggressive dogs are secretly happy about it. The allergy is just one reason to keep the dogs out of the party. Really the people are just being cheap. They don’t want to pay to board their dogs. They want to bring their dogs and everyone else can just suck it up.

I think of all the hoops people have to jump through to accommodate peanut-allergic people, but when someone's allergic to a dog, well that's just the allergic person's problem, isn't it?

Yes, I know dog allergies aren't life threatening but you get the point.

Anonymous wrote:I love cats and dogs but wouldn't never bring them to a house where they're not welcome.

That being said, that's many problems just because of ONE allergic person. I would have done something outside so that everybody's happy. Or wouldn't have invited that person.
Sorry but at some point it's a lot of stress just for one person.

The initial impulse may have been for the allergic niece, but OP has posted that other family members are thanking her for taking a stand.

I love dogs but I actually hate to be in a situation where people bring badly socialized dogs into a chaotic setting - it's stressful for the dog and only asking for trouble. She's describing a situation where the ones demanding their pets be allowed were planning on there being at least 5 dogs present including OP's, two are large and jumpy, one pees indoors, and another nips at people? And there will be children there, not even getting into the allergies. No thanks. In fact, hell no.

Anonymous wrote:OP, please promise to come back to this thread after the party to let us know how everything worked out.

+1

Your house, your rules. Stick to them.

Anonymous wrote:I love cats and dogs but wouldn't never bring them to a house where they're not welcome.

That being said, that's many problems just because of ONE allergic person. I would have done something outside so that everybody's happy. Or wouldn't have invited that person.
Sorry but at some point it's a lot of stress just for one person.

I believe OP is more interested in seeing the allergic niece rather than the whacko aunts and uncles. And the dogs don’t have to be there for the people to be there.

Anonymous wrote:I love cats and dogs but wouldn't never bring them to a house where they're not welcome.

That being said, that's many problems just because of ONE allergic person. I would have done something outside so that everybody's happy. Or wouldn't have invited that person.
Sorry but at some point it's a lot of stress just for one person.

It doesn't have to be a lot of stress if everyone would just leave their dogs at home. We have two dogs I consider part of our family but it would never, ever occur to me to bring them to someone else's house unless explicitly invited. Much less prohibited. Who ARE these people?!?!

Your whole family belongs in an inpatient psychiatric facility.

I love cats and dogs but wouldn't never bring them to a house where they're not welcome.

That being said, that's many problems just because of ONE allergic person. I would have done something outside so that everybody's happy. Or wouldn't have invited that person.
Sorry but at some point it's a lot of stress just for one person.

My parents are those crazy dog people (I've posted about them before). There is no reasoning with people who insist on bringing their dogs every where. Stand firm, and screw those inconsiderate, self-absorbed people.