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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to not want the dogs around now baby is here?

96 replies

Jadamba · 30/11/2016 18:48

My parents have a Great Dane and a St Bernard. Huge dogs. GD can be boisterous and jumps around a lot. SB is more chilled out but when scared will lunge into your lap (he gets scared of silly things too like the tv turning the volume up a bit). My dd has arrived early, she is now a week old! Her due date was 20th December.
Oldest twins are 15. Then I have a 5yr old and a 3yr old. Dogs are very good around 3yr old and 5yr old. All children adore the dogs. But, neither dog was fully grown when my youngest two were little so I was never worried about the baby with them. But, I am terrified of having baby around dogs. Here's my AIBU- parents are going on holiday for fourweeks and wanted to leave dogs with me. I agreed to keep them for the first two weeks and then sister could have them for the next two weeks as I would have had baby girl by then or be in process of evicting baby. But, I am worried about having the dogs around our daughter now.
DH agrees with me but is worried about where the dogs will go.
DM told me I was being ridiculous and they wouldn't hurt a fly.
DF said in a very grave voice that it would be a problem and sister called me an overprotective idiot.

OP posts:

Owllady · 30/11/2016 18:52

It's two weeks, they can go in kennels surely? They are not your dogs !
And I came on here to tell you you were bu as I thought you were getting rid of your own dogs :o

ispymincepie · 30/11/2016 18:52

YADNBU not worth the risk is it. All Great Danes I've known have been terribly aggressive and I wouldn't want one near my baby.

Domino20 · 30/11/2016 18:53

While I don't think the dogs will be/do any harm, I do think you are setting yourself up for an enormous amount of work! I think you are best going for a gentle manipulation of the truth, you simply don't feel well enough to cope!

Jenijena · 30/11/2016 18:54

You've got a newborn and four other children, even if they were the most always going dogs in the world, you don't need that hassle!

daisygirlmac · 30/11/2016 18:55

Hell no! Not your problem. They might not hurt a fly deliberately but your baby is tiny and they could easily hurt her by accident. Why should you have to police your home to that extent when you've just had a new baby? Dogs can and should go to kennels or anyone else who will have them

Topseyt · 30/11/2016 19:00

You have a newborn, and a premature one at that.

I am a dog owner and I dislike putting mine in kennels. I do it when necessary though, and I would never expect anyone with a tiny baby to either look after them or to want them around.

I think your family are being unreasonable. They should use kennels this time, or get a pet-sitter.

Blackfellpony · 30/11/2016 19:02

I was nervous when I first brought my baby home around my own dogs so I can't imagine I would have wanted someone else's around.

I would just say it's too much for you to cope with right now?

Poppypoochischristmascrackered · 30/11/2016 19:03

Yanbu, I love dogs, have 2 myself, but I wouldn't ask my dd to look after them especially with a newborn, even if they wouldn't "hurt a fly". They may not deliberately hurt anyone, but they are huge, and could cause havoc with their size, not to mention the work involved, where would they sleep, who's walking them etc. I think you have enough on your plate without adding to it. What about kennels or a pet sitter for 2 weeks and your sister for the other 2. Congratulations on your new baby 🍼🍼🍼🍼

kilmuir · 30/11/2016 19:06

Aggressive Great Dane ??? That's funny
But I think you have too much going on to care and walk them properly

ToadsforJustice · 30/11/2016 19:07

YANBU. Tell your sister she can have the dogs for four weeks. Problem solved.

Ditsy4 · 30/11/2016 19:08

I think your parents are being unreasonable! You have twins of 15, a 5 yr old, a 3 yr old and an early new born and they want you to look after two big dogs as well.

merrymouse · 30/11/2016 19:09

No YANBU and I'm amazed that your parents would expect you to look after their dogs when you have just had a baby.

Dogs should not be left alone with a baby, but how on earth would you be able to police that with a 3 and 5 year old? For every one's sakes, you are right to say no.

Your parents and sister clearly have little grasp on reality. If the dogs can't go to kennels/dog sitter they will just have to cancel holiday.

NavyandWhite · 30/11/2016 19:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scrivette · 30/11/2016 19:11

Can't your sister have them for the whole time? YANBU

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 30/11/2016 19:14

God no! Sorry, but if your parents can afford to go on a month long holiday they can afford to pay to board their dogs properly.

Who in their right mind would dump two mahoosive dogs on a parent with five DC incl a newborn!? Did they book this knowing your due date as well? I'd be annoyed that instead of thinking about hanging about to help you out they've done the exact opposite and have gave you even more to juggle. Inconsiderate to say the least.

Pineappletastic · 30/11/2016 19:14

Like Owllady I'd geared up for a 'dogs are for life' thread, but YANBU, you have too much on already to be taking on two huge dogs, I'm actually surprised you agreed to have them so close to your due date TBH. If they really aren't much hassle your sister can have them for all four weeks surely?

JellyBelli · 30/11/2016 19:15

YANBU. Babies look and act like prey or squeaky toys, and you will be knackered. Put your foot down on this one.

myoriginal3 · 30/11/2016 19:15

In a very grave voice say , it's a no from me

Crispbutty · 30/11/2016 19:16

Tell them to get a house sitter.

Jacquinta · 30/11/2016 19:17

Kennels.

TheFlyingFauxPas · 30/11/2016 19:22

4 WEEKS good gracious you ANBU in the slightest! Who gets huge dogs like that and expects to be able to go away FOR 4 WEEKS!!! and other members of family will drop everything to look after them!! It's not like popping in to water pants 😆

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 30/11/2016 19:22

I'm dog mad but why on earth do your parents think it's reasonable to pressure you to look after two huge pooches on top of a newborn and three older kids?

Are they usually unreasonable in their demands of you?

Elllicam · 30/11/2016 19:22

I wouldn't be looking after 2 giant dogs after just having had a baby. So not only were your parents going off on holiday when you were due to give birth (and had other kids who presumably would have needed cared for during labour) but they also wanted you to care for their pets while being hugely pregnant/giving birth. Do they help you at all or is it all one way?

Isitjustmeorisiteveryoneelse · 30/11/2016 19:27

You have five children? And they want you to look after two huge dogs? For four weeks? What fresh hell is this? I love kids and I love dogs and usually I'd happily have the house full of them, but no, YANBU.

MrsRyanGosling15 · 30/11/2016 19:27

YANBU. They don't belong to you and aren't your responsibility. What did you say to your parents and sister when they spoke to you like that? Why would you let anyone speak to you like that? Just say no and hang up, end of conversation. Also I wouldn't do your dm a favour anyway simply as I hate people who say with such confidence, "Oh they wouldnt hurt a fly'

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