... being a little strange?
We've going up North to visit family for Christmas, a few hours' drive. We're bringing our two dogs with us, but they'll be boarding with a family nearby and not actually staying with us as family aren't keen on dogs. But they live in such gorgeous countryside that we're sorry the dogs aren't there to come with us on walks, so we decided to board them near us rather than somewhere near home this year.
So my mother called the other day and told me that we can't possibly bring the dogs with us. Somewhat puzzled, since they won't be anywhere near her, I asked her why. She said, "it's a 4 hour drive!".
"Um, yes?" says I, still confused. "They're okay on long drives."
"But the smell!!", she says.
"Pardon?"
"You might not realise it, but your dogs smell!"
"Yes, that's understandable. But I still don't see the problem."
"It's like smokers, the dog smell will get all in your clothes and the presents, and you can't expect everyone else to put up with your dog smell over Christmas!!", wails my dear old mum.
, go I. "Well, we'll make sure we give them a good bath before we leave," I say, while quietly wondering if poor old mum has finally lost it.
"I don't think you're taking me seriously! It's just too selfish of you!!"
I point out that smoke is slightly more pervasive than dog, you can't generally smell a dog owner just by walking past them, and that with only 2 weeks to go before Christmas we stand a snowballs's chance in hell of finding alternative accommodation for them anyway.
So, is my mum barking (hee hee, see what I did there?) or AIBU to ruin Christmas by turning up reeking of Eau de chien? Do dog owners smell after car trips with their dogs?