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AIBU?

I want a dog!

62 replies

Wantajackrussell · 14/04/2014 19:24

Name changed in case my DD reads my thread! Think I probably am being unreasonable but ... I am extremely lonely and live alone and would have all the time in the world to care for a dog as I am at home during the day. However I go to my DD each weekend to give her and her OH a break from the grandbub (they both work full-time) and it gives them a chance for a lie in. I go on a Friday and come back on a Sunday afternoon. She says I definitely can't bring a dog with me - she doesn't want a dog in her house BUT I WANT ONE!!!!!

OP posts:

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DogCalledRudis · 14/04/2014 20:00

Get a dog before he gets to dogs home

susiedaisy · 14/04/2014 20:11

Get a dog op and have your grandchild to your house she will love spending time with and a dog I'm sure. By the way wow what a lucky daughter you have if she has you around all weekend to help out.

PeanutPatty · 14/04/2014 20:18

What about helping The Cinnamon Trust? Elderly folk who are unable to exercise their own dogs and so CT volunteers do it. Best of both worlds.

joanofarchitrave · 14/04/2014 20:24

Why a Jack Russell?

I have a Jack Russell cross and frankly he's an absolute pain in the arse (as well as a sweetheart, but obviously dogs are sweet or nobody except farmers would have one). He is absolutely untireable though I suppose at least that means I'm a bit fitter. He takes constant training and without that will snap at small children, is aggressive on the lead and sometimes off the lead. Your dd may not want dogs in her house, but IMO it would be sensible to look for a breed that's more likely to cope better with your grandchildren in your house.

samsam123 · 14/04/2014 20:26

get a dog get a dog get a dog :) so many rescue dogs looking for a home its your life do what you want

Nohootingchickenssleeping · 14/04/2014 22:04

Get a dog. They're hard work but epic. Get a book and train him, it's great fun.

Wantajackrussell · 15/04/2014 00:50

Thanks for all your replies! I do love grandbub so much tho and wouldn't want to jeopardise our relationship in any way and my daughter has been a real brick this last year which hasn't been great for us. Lost my dear old Mum in December 2013 and I don't know what I would have done without her. Also my son-in-law is very wary of dogs as his young niece was badly attacked by a family dog and bears the facial scars many years later. I was just dreaming I suppose - I'll have to learn to knit!

OP posts:

Writerwannabe83 · 15/04/2014 05:20

Tell them to look after their own children!!
Seeing as they both work full time why do they want a break from the children they don't spend time with in the week anyway??? They should be cherishing their weekend time with the children.

Leave them to it and get your dog

RedFocus · 15/04/2014 07:32

You can have my dog! Very cute King Charles spaniel, needs to go on a diet because I've just found out he's been stealing the cats food and that's why he's getting porky!

saintlyjimjams · 15/04/2014 07:35

Why would not seeing your grandchild for the whole weekend every weekend jeopardise your relationship?

Jellaby · 15/04/2014 07:36

Get a dog and bring the kids to you? The kids will love a dog!

HairHelp · 15/04/2014 07:45

What writer says!!

Failing that you could do some home boarding for dogs whose owners go away on holiday? It pays too.

Eastpoint · 15/04/2014 08:06

You could do short term fostering. Have you ever owned a dog?

ViviPru · 15/04/2014 08:17

Could you compromise? How far away do they live? Once most dogs have settled you can leave them for around 4 hours, perhaps you could enjoy a long walk with WantaPup in the mornings before spending the best part of the afternoon at your DDs.

It's a bit sad to think of you bored and lonely during the week 'on hold' for the weekend.

And also at people working FT Mon-Fri needing a 'break' from their child at the weekend. Perhaps once in a while, but every weekend? WTF is that all about?

Nohootingchickenssleeping · 15/04/2014 08:17

Speak to a rescue centre. Speak to a few. They will find the right dog for you. One that is calm, well socialised and good with kids. It's in their best interests to find the right homes sp the dogs don't get returned.

Or you could volunteer at a rescue centre. Dog walk, clean kennels, play with puppies. I did this and fell in love. Three years later I've still got my mad pooch.

Fairylea · 15/04/2014 08:33

Just get a dog. You can still see your grandchild at their house, just not the whole weekend! To be honest I think it's crazy that they work all week and then you look after their child all weekend - like someone else said, when DO they look after their child??

Hoppinggreen · 15/04/2014 08:50

What Fairylea said.

pictish · 15/04/2014 09:00

I echo the others...it's daft to put your wishes on hold to be a weekend nanny for your daughter!
I think all weekend, every weekend is overkill for anyone! How does your son in law feel about sharing his every day off with his mil? Perhaps you get on unfeasibly well, and he enjoys it, I don't know....but coming from someone who genuinely loves and likes her mil, I feel suffocated at the very thought of similar!

I also agree that they do not need a break from looking after their child if they work full time...not every single weekend anyway! That seems absurd!

Get your dog and your weekends back, and leave them to get on with it themselves.

diddl · 15/04/2014 09:24

I can't believe that you look after your GC every weekend in their house with them there!!

How is that relaxing for anyone??

How far away are they?

Start visiting for a couple of hours or tell them to bring their child to you if they want free childcare every weekend!

Get a dog, get out & about & meeting people!

thegreylady · 15/04/2014 09:27

Can you afford to put doggy in a good kennels at weekend? Or could your dgc be dropped at your house? A dog is an amazing companion. My first was a Jack Russell called Peter and he was so affectionate and intelligent.

SelectAUserName · 15/04/2014 11:38

I am rather at a FT-working couple needing "a break" from their child every weekend.

I'd get a dog and renegotiate the childcare. There are thousands of rescue dogs desperate for their own home with someone who has the time and love to devote to them.

Could you afford weekend kennels or a drop-in dogsitter every other weekend? Then you'd get the best of both worlds - you'd still see lots of your DGC, your DD and SIL still get more of "a break" than most parents do and you get all the companionship of a dog the rest of the time.

diddl · 15/04/2014 11:43

OP why is it always you going to them?

So that they get to see their own child but without doing much looking after?

You're probably lovely but do they really never wabt to go out/do things just the three of them?

I wouldn't get a dog with the intention of kenneling it/leaving it elsewhere every weekend.

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Crinkle77 · 15/04/2014 11:45

Could you have the children at your house say one night over the weekend? This would still give them the chance to have a break and you could still have your dog.

Lanabelle · 15/04/2014 12:03

Yes!! yes yes yes, get the dog. Never regret getting any of mine, light up my life so they do. Leave her to see to her own children but I think the child may end up wanting to come see you and the dog.

SoleSource · 15/04/2014 12:10

You're not a slave.

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