It’s early , I’m tired and don’t want to come across as a total cow but I am so cross right now as I’ve been up / snoozing with the dog all night.
Background. Mil bought an expensive puppy ( relevant ) 10 months ago behind FILS back. Just turned up at home with him without discussion.
FIL would have said no. Four years ago FIL insisted she re homed two young dogs bought under exactly the same circumstances.
FIL is being driven mad by the young dog now. He’s still a puppy and has way more energy than two 70 plus year olds can handle. In a few weeks FIL is having a hip op and has concerns about looking after the pup / tripping over him post op, which if fair enough.
MIL has clearly lost interest in the poor little thing and would re home him in a shot if she could sell him for what she paid ( over 1000 pounds). I’m pretty appalled by this . I appreciate she can’t just give him away without some kind of assurance he’s going somewhere suitable but she could use a proper rescue service who will re home him properly. After all MIL has already proved anyone can buy a dog.
Anyhow, things reached a head in their home so my DH offered to have the dog for respite / see if he can settle with us. We have looked after him before but our own dogs who are normally good natured will not tolerate him. This time, DH decided we just have to introduce MILs dog and work through the hard times until he settles.
I’m not even sure if FIL will take him back after the op if I’m honest so I’m really looking at this long term problem to be resolved.
For info, I work long hours full time. DH is home most of the time due to his shift patterns. On the few days a month both of us are out all day, our dogs go to a professional dog sitter.
I am knackered most of the time but had three days off this week to spend with my children who have been away for quite some time. DH thought this the perfect time to re introduce the dog to our house again. Which has also made me a bit cross.
It hasn’t gone well. My jet lagged children have been kept awake most of the night. Our dogs are clearly upset by his presence and all 3 dogs have been barking just about since he arrived yesterday.
I appreciate DH wants to help his parents buts it been me up since 3am keeping the pup company so my children can sleep. Of course this means DH has also been sleeping like a baby too and that’s grating on me now.
I know I am also probably tangling the two issues but last year my own Dad died. I spent his last months sleeping in his living room at night so he wasn’t alone. DH didn’t get involved in his care at all which was fine as my Dad would have hated that anyway. It was my duty to care for my Dad and I didn’t mind. But, it’s not my duty to look after this dog while FIL gets better. MIL has created this mess and should re home this little fellow ( he’s lovely by the way, I didn’t mention that before) without thinking about the money.
The only reason I’m even in this situation is because of the dog, not MIL or FIL which makes me feel like a first class cow.
Can’t even remember what my AIBU is now? But along the lines of do I persevere with this dog knowing it’s basically already ruined a rare three days off work with my children, my own dogs are upset, and going to have grumpy as hell teens all day because they will not have my full attention which they deserve.... and DH has slept all night and will again tonight!
I just don’t think it’s going to work.