Is there a way to solve my family Christmas plans dilemma

[crayolabutton]

We are very rarely in the uk but come from the uk.

This year we are spending Christmas here and so have invited all the family to us for Christmas dinner as they always invite us and we can never attend.
Dh asked his sister and she has said they can’t attend unless their dog can come with them.
The problem is we will be in a short term rental flat that doesn’t allow dogs. They live 1.5 hours away from the flat. We can’t think of a way to help them be able to come.
Any solutions gratefully received.

That is a very strict clause, it may not be enforceable but it isn't going to be worth the stress.
I don't think dsis actually wants to come. We have a dog and sort out our own dog care if needed. If she wanted to come she would sort it out herself.
I would explain the dog rule and expect her to decline the invitation.

A dog visiting won't be a problem I'm sure as it isn't staying the whole 2 weeks or whatever

It's really not on to bring pets into a rental property that has very clearly stated no pets allowed. That's not aimed at you, OP. I know you've already said you wouldn't. But it's clear from other replies that some people don't realise that for some asthmatics or people suffering from certain allergies, the consequences of being exposed to pet hair and dander etc could be extremely dangerous. A future guest may well pick a rental property that is pet free for good reason, and someone having snuck a dog in could easily have huge repercussions. If you need a dog in the property, don't choose a pet free property.

"They always ask us and we can never attend"

If the issue is you guys not being in the UK to be with family at Xmas, can someone else (dog friendly) host?

Also if you only have a small flat, how are you going to host everyone?

It's really not on to bring pets into a rental property that has very clearly stated no pets allowed

This. And it's all very well saying it's not enforceable. I'm not in the fortunate position of owning a rental property but if I did, I would not want dogs in it at all and I wouldn't want the hassle and expense of having to do a deep clean because someone didn't respect my property and my rules.

I hope that they find a solution so that they can see you. It's a shame when people put dogs above friends and family especially if they are only in the UK for a while.

She did reply saying great idea but need somewhere to put dog when he invited her

"Great! It'll be lovely to see you, I'm so looking forward to it"

Her pet, up to her to find a solution. I'm not really sure why you are trying to solve a problem that (a) you don't even know you have yet, and (2) isn't yours.

If you are not going to smuggle the dog in - and fair play to you - then you have nothing to lose by asking the landlord if you could bring a dog in in the daytime on Christmas Day only. I think it's a reasonable question to ask.

If budget is not a concern you could offer to buy Christmas dinner out at a restaurant, and try to find one that's dog-friendly, but it seems a bit disproportionate to me. As a compromise could you offer to take them out for a meal on Christmas Eve?

But this isnt a holiday rental. It's the OPs home for 8 months.
I dont like dogs. I dont want them in my house. But in the last 8 months, I've had friends visiting with a guide dog, and the neighbours (exceedingly badly behaved) dog run into the house when our front door was open.
This is a pet free home, except it's not.

Wow. My brother owns a caravan with a no dog rule. He doesn't even take his own - you wouldn't be renting it twice if you allowed a doggy visitor as some seem to think is perfectly reasonable.

No pets means no pets, not dogs or kangaroos. Kennels locally sounds suitable for the day/night.

I would just shrug and say OK to SIL. Her problem not yours.

Honestly I have had it with people who insist that everyone bows to their own wishes.

Enjoy your day, and sorry I was not more forthcoming with solutions, but if it was me, I would just shrug. But maybe your DP will come up with a solution. It is his sister.

It's too long to leave a dog if the journey each way is 1.5 hours on top of the time they'll be at your house. It's also a faff finding kennels over Xmas (and I wouldn't put my dogs in kennels anyway). They might be able to get a friend or neighbour to pop in a couple of times and let the dog out, but generally speaking I'd be declining if I were them. It's lovely of you to offer, but at that property it's too awkward.

Yes ok I think I agree with pp saying let’s just leave it up to them. Thanks for the replies. I think I just wanted a solution but really deep down I don’t want to break the no dog rule.
Maybe they might host if we hold out too

How many people are you planning on cramming into a “small flat”?

Not trying to sound harsh OP but are you sure it's not just a polite excuse not to come? And the dog is therefore a good excuse to just try and have a small family Christmas at their own home (which a lot of people prefer). I refuse to believe they couldn't sort out some sort of dog-sitter with nearly 6 months notice if they really wanted to.

I am at the people ‘reinterpreting’ the rule about dogs.

My cousin is seriously allergic so his parents always booked holiday cottages which had a rule against dogs.

But it was obvious once he was in hospital on breathing support that previous guests (confirmed by neighbours) had thought the same as some of you.

Cleaning and hoovering doesn’t solve it.

Ok 8 people around an 8 seater table. Sorry for misleading. The flat is not tiny. It has a large dining area but not such a big living area and most spare space is all filled up with furniture. There really isn’t much room for doggy even if I wanted to let it in which tbh I don’t, I also don’t want it on the furniture etc.

I just felt perhaps we aren’t accommodating them and their expectations and maybe we should after so many years away but also tbh I think maybe it’s best to drop it and if they want to come they’ll find a way and maybe they would like to spend Christmas elsewhere or even with their dog and aren’t saying it.

I rented a house which was full of dog flea eggs which woke up when we moved in, hatched, and bit me horribly for around 10 days. It was horrific. I think something like that must have happened in connection with this landlord. It's a reasonable thing to want to prevent.

I too am and at the number of people who seem to think you should ignore the rules. Of course you can't have a pet there with the T&Cs.

However, I agree with most this is not your problem.
You have invited them. If, as a one off, they are not prepared to look for options for dealing with leaving their dog (kennels / someone coming to their house and letting the dog out and taking it for a walk / dog going to someone else's house / dog in the car where they are and they let it out and don't stay too long), then that is their issue, and not yours to worry about. I think it says a lot about them, that they aren't prepared to consider one of those options to take up a once in a decade chance to come to yours for Christmas dinner.

I think you're over-thinking it by wondering if they dont really want to come. If they didn't, they'd say, sorry, would live to but can't because of dog. But they haven't said that. We don't put our dog in kennels and a few times in the past I have had to cry off because I couldn't leave him. Would be best if they hosted, then everyone can relax. Why not have a chat with them? They may put your mind at rest, one way or another.

Maybe you might be able to catch up with them at a different moment in your visit?

If the dog owner ds doesn't fancy a kennel at Christmas for her pet she could try to organize a home stay near your rental for a night. She can drop the dog off and it will be walked. It will stay in a home rather than a kennel. She can pick it up after its walk the next day before she goes home. If she is staying more than one day she can either pick up at the end of her visit or visit and walk the dog herself every day she's there. Most dogs settle quite happily in a home from home environment where she can take its own bed, lead. toys and the type of food the dog likes. Expensive but worth it for a one off family occasion as you won't be doing this every year.

I dont like dogs. I dont want them in my house. But in the last 8 months, I've had friends visiting with a guide dog, and the neighbours (exceedingly badly behaved) dog run into the house when our front door was open

Cool. That's your choice. The owner of the property that OP is renting has stipulated that no pets are allowed.