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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to send this dog back?

41 replies

PatienceALittleThin · 15/02/2013 18:55

Because it's doing my nut in.

It's my neighbour's dog. It isn't very good being left alone so they asked if I could take it when she went into labour. I've had it for the occassional day in the past when they've gone out and it's been bearable and a bit of company for my dog so I agreed because I'm a mug.

He brought the dog round Sunday evening as it had been decided that the baby should be delivered by CS early on Monday morning. All went to plan, baby and mother are doing fine. Because she has a private room, he's allowed to stay at the hospital too. So he has and I still have the dog.

The dog is lovely natured but overly energetic, bouncy and indulged. It never stops. It's like it has springs in it's feet. It's chewing up everything it can get it's chops round. It's jumps up and takes things off the kitchen counters, it leaps from the back of the sofa to the windowsill knocking everything down in it's path, it won't walk properly on the lead and tries to jump at everyone it passes. Even my dog has had enough and looks at me as if to say 'make it go away'. I have to let it sleep in the bedroom otherwise it howls all night. Then it's jumping on the bed, running round the room and being a pain all bloody night. I'm knackered.

Final straw today. It's all hyper again and came bounding into the living room, leaped over the back of the sofa, landed on me and then used my 7month baby bump as a springboard to leap onto the coffee table, sliding off the other side and then legging it back out of the room.

I've had enough.

But on the other hand, they're new parents still at the hospital, not out partying.

But on the other hand, he's had more time to spend with his wife and new arrival than most men.

But then again I feel really evil for thinking about calling him to say he has to collect the dog.

But then again I'm reaching the point of donating it to Findus for use in their lasagne.

OP posts:
Corygal · 15/02/2013 18:56

You are saintly. When are the new human parents coming back?

PatienceALittleThin · 15/02/2013 18:58

No idea when they intend to come back. I've had no contact since the dog was left here other than seeing general updates on Facebook.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 15/02/2013 19:00

YANBU, they're taking the piss.

Especially if they haven't been in touch.

TomDudgeon · 15/02/2013 19:00

I would send it back.
Their responsibility, just like if they had an older child

NotMostPeople · 15/02/2013 19:01

YANBU to contact them and say you can't have him any more, you don't need to explain why, you've been amazing to have him this long.

GrimmaTheNome · 15/02/2013 19:05

At very least the chap should have come and given it a long walk every day.

Will they reciprocate and look after your dog, if need be, in 2 months time?

BeerTricksPotter · 15/02/2013 19:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GobblersKnob · 15/02/2013 19:11

You are a saint, and I adore dogs. Tell them to come and get the fucker.

How the hell do they cope with it at home? What breed/age is it? My money is on a young springer Grin

StuntGirl · 15/02/2013 19:14

I would contact them and ask how they're enjoying parenthood so far, oh, and when are they coming to collect their dog? Cheeky feckers. If he starts umming and ahhing about it or tries with excuses say "I only agreed to look after your dog while your partner gave birth. When are you coming to collect it?" Be a broken record.

PatienceALittleThin · 15/02/2013 19:14

Yes, they have offered to have my dog when I go into labour but it won't be necessary as he's used to being left and my teen and ILs will be here anyway.

I think you're right Grimma because it certainly needs a long walk every day. Part of the problem is that the dog is used to being walked a lot but he knew this wouldn't happen while the dog was here. My husband is away during the week and I have mobility problems. It was why we got a little dog, so a couple of quick walks around the block would suffice if necessary. But the dog walks so badly on the lead that I'm finding even that a problem.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 15/02/2013 19:15

Why is she staying in so long ? I was out in 2 days with my section . Are you sure they've not done a bunk !

PatienceALittleThin · 15/02/2013 19:17

Gobblers it's a 5 year old beagle.

I dread to think how they'll cope with it and a new baby. I'm having nightmares about them sneaking home so they can settle there for a few days in peace. Or even worse, never coming to collect it. Shock

OP posts:
oldraver · 15/02/2013 19:17

I cant believe he hasn't been to take the dog for a walk Shock. Is the lady out of hospital yet ?

PatienceALittleThin · 15/02/2013 19:19

Floral I'm not in the UK and here you can stay a lot longer if you want, so long as you keep paying the hospital room fees. I suspect he's treating it like a bit of a holiday.

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 15/02/2013 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

frustratedworkingmum · 15/02/2013 19:26

So, take the dog back, take it for a walk and make sure it has food and water, drop in on him from time to time, it will probably settle better when it is in its own place anyway. I would be more than happy with that if it were my dog.

OddBoots · 15/02/2013 19:30

I don't think you would be at all unreasonable to send it back but if they can afford a private hospital room would you feel comfortable approaching them and asking if they could pay for someone to come and walk the dog and if they would do you think you could keep looking after it a bit longer?

Bogeyface · 15/02/2013 19:30

If they are on FB then message them saying "Hi, Glad to see everything went well. I need you to collect the dog tomorrow, please let me know what time you will be collecting it or if you have made arrangements at a kennels."

Dont make the mistake of phrasing in a "if thats ok" kind of way. The dog is going tomorrow, its up to them to sort that out.

pigsDOfly · 15/02/2013 19:31

Bloody hell. These people sound completely selfish and are taking advantage of your, obviously sweet nature. He hasn't given birth too, I take it. Why does he have to be in hospital holding her had for almost a week. Get on the phone and tell him to come and collect his out of control dog. I'd be fuming in you place.

LynetteScavo · 15/02/2013 19:32

I was so ready to post YABU - but really they need to have their dog back.

When the dog does go home say; "Wow, that was an experience, I don't think

LynetteScavo · 15/02/2013 19:33

Is this a private hospital, or just a private room? I couldn't even get a private room, despite flashing some cash)so am very Envy.

Marne · 15/02/2013 19:35

Can the dog not go back to their house and you can just pop in three times a day to let it out and feed it?

Hopefully they come back soon x

PatienceALittleThin · 15/02/2013 19:50

Lynette here all treatment is free but you have to pay for bed and board whenever you're in hospital. Hospitals set their own rates. They've gone to the posh one where all the rooms are fucking expensive private. When my baby arrives, we're going to the main hospital where the rooms are all for 2 patients but it only cost £15 per night.

My husband is back now and has taken the monster down to the park. He's put his foot down and said we can put it up with it until Sunday evening at the latest (when he's off again). I have an appointment with my consultant on Monday anyway so I can use that as an excuse. I know, I know, I don't need an excuse, except I do because I'm too much of a wuss otherwise.

OP posts:
PatienceALittleThin · 15/02/2013 19:51

Thank you everyone for giving me a bit of confidence to draw a slightly wobbly, broken line in the sand.

OP posts:
Chandon · 15/02/2013 19:59

Yanbu, draw that line!

Nicely, and with a smile, but draw it!