Dog and Christmas

System

I would never leave my dogs unattended for longer than 3 hours at any one time. I'm not saying its wrong to do so but I just wouldn't do it myself.

I'm going away Saturday overnight and i'm already trying to get out of it. I want to go but i'm worrying about leaving the dogs with our son. When he gets on his computer he switches off. I'm imagining him not noticing when they do a dance to go outside to wee, or not hearing her barks when Millie dog needs a wee at 5am.

We were told we could take them with us but I think its a bit too much to ask of anyone who isn't a dog owner.

lostinrates

aileth wrote: »

My dog definitely isn't the same as a child, but he is a strong, valued family member. My parents see me, OH and pup as a unit, but my in-laws do not.

My in laws don't either, but increasingly understand that's how it is for us. That's fair enough, they are entitled to feel differently .

Metranil_Vavin

My OH's brother and wife have 2 bouncy spaniels and I have to admit I hate it when they bring them over to OH's parents house when we visit.

From the minute they arrive they are jumping up at everyone and tear-arsing about the place. My toddler is terrified of them as they bound at him and try to jump up at him..they are just being friendly and playful but to a little person they are really scary.

I don;t mind dogs personally but I'd rather not have them in my face so to speak.

System

Metranil_Vavin wrote: »

I don;t mind dogs personally but I'd rather not have them in my face so to speak.

I must admit, I would have felt the same before I had my dogs. However, I wouldn't take them to anyone elses house. I don't like their dog hairs and i'm damned sure other people wouldn't appreciate them either.

whitewing

Judi wrote: »

I'm going away Saturday overnight and i'm already trying to get out of it. I want to go but i'm worrying about leaving the dogs with our son. When he gets on his computer he switches off. I'm imagining him not noticing when they do a dance to go outside to wee, or not hearing her barks when Millie dog needs a wee at 5am.

If he is anything like my son: terrible when I'm there, and absolutely brilliant when I am not.

Go, enjoy yourself, and they will have a great time without you. Honestly they will.

zaksmum

I also hate having to leave my dogs behind if I visit anyone who isn't keen on dogs. If it was up to me I'd rather not go, so I can see where aileth's coming from.

When I absolutely had to leave them behind I'd put them in the car so that I could pop out and walk them at some point during the day.

I also hate the idea of them being sat home alone at Christmas - even though it's true that they are unaware of this, I'm not!

blossomsuz

lostinrates wrote: »

I think sometimes this perspective is also unfair tbh.

You have children and a dog, I just have 'animal family' and no children. They are my pack or family. We don't mind if its not suitable for others in our extended family, we choose to be here with our pets at Christmas. ' Spiritually ' or ethically I believe life has equal worth, whatever the species, and while its a different type of life, and a different type of affection I think that whilst your perspective is perfectly normal its unfair to expect everyone to have that perspective, some people have another one. . Its not better or worse, but exactly that, different.

Now, what I do agree on is dogs are not children. My pets are my family, but in their own right, not as child replacements. They are valued as what they are. Their needs and wants are different from humans, and they are now (thankfully) all adult.

So e people's pets might indeed have different needs from upbringing issues ...separation anxiety for example, or health issues, like needing regular medication. Mine do not have separation anxiety but are almost never left a lone. For them a clue of hours with no one about probably is a bigger deal than the average dog in a working household.

I also found it interesting reading the thread for example that no one else picked up on a comment made by a poster where they talked about how their kids would behave around a dog and yet the hypothetical dog would be 'in the wrong' for being there. Shrug.


Its interesting that we can agree on the best course of action yet have tremendously different perspective.

Totally agree with this, my animals are my family and valued by me, as they are important to me they are also valued and important to the rest of my family. Of course it helps that they are animal crackers too :rotfl:

tea_lover

zaksmum wrote: »

I also hate the idea of them being sat home alone at Christmas - even though it's true that they are unaware of this, I'm not!

I can see this too. Am already feeling bad about not being at home with our cat all day for Christmas. I know it makes no difference to him, but he is family to us and I don't like to think of him on his own while we've gone out enjoying ourselves.

So no rational help there aileth :rotfl:, but wanted you to know that I can see your point!

onlyroz

I couldn't imagine much worse than have an excitable dog pawing all over me on Christmas day. I think you have to go along with the wishes of the people you are visiting.

nzmegs

Your dog doesn't know it is christmas and shouldn't be eating treats anyway.

Just leave you dog as you normally do - he won't care!