To not include the dog in a Christmas card

[WeCalledTheDogIndiana]

Writing Christmas card to sister in law and brother in law (DH’s sister and her husband) and remembered that last time they sent us a card (a few months ago) it was signed “from SIL, BIL, and Fido” - Fido being their dog…

Can we just write “Dear SIL, BIL, and DS” and leave it at that? Or is this doomed to be taken as a passive aggressive slight that will spawn it’s own mumsnet thread and lead to them going NC?!

I am veering towards “it’s a bit ridiculous but if it makes them happy just do it”. DH is firmly in the camp of “I am not addressing a fucking card to a fucking dog”

For context: we’re not particularly close, we don’t see them often as they live in the US, the family has a history of finding fault in everything everyone does, yes we both like dogs but no we don’t have our own (cause small children), and they didn’t have the dog last Christmas so it wasn’t an issue then. And yes I do have more important things to worry about but this is a pleasing distraction (and I am genuinely interested in views of dog owners and non dog owners alike!)

Can’t do voting on the app but:
YABU - just include the dog, why wouldn’t you
YANBU - fucking dogs don’t get fucking cards

It's really not an issue.

The vast majority of cards we get won't include the dog - it's fine. He can't actually read so he isn't offended.

That said, the odd one that does include him makes me smile.

Again, he would happily eat either card, no preference.

I would never include a pet when writing a card. I can't remember half their names anyway.

Wouldn't it just be easier and nicer to write the dogs name as well? To them their dog is part of their family and I'm sure it would make them smile to see you had included their dog.

This made me laugh because I occasionally sign my dogs name on cards. It's all very light hearted and is not meant to be taken seriously though, I would never be offended if someone didn't address a card to my dog and I don't think anyone ever has.

I do for people who have dogs and do it themselves and I include my dog in the from section, I don’t for others, and I’m not bothered if they do it for mine.
No bother either way, and if it makes people happy why not?

YABU just include the dog. My sil is absolutely all about her pets and all their cards are from her dog and cats. She loves them and we love her so we do it. End of story.

Is this a real problem?

I occasionally will include the dog on a card from us, but I would not expect the dog to be included on a card to us.

We don’t send many cards now, only to a few to older family/friends. We do put our dogs names in when writing them. Most people write the cards to us to include our dogs. I don’t think it’s an issue.

I think this thread will most likely turn into a dog hating thread. And ‘aren’t dog owners mad with their fur babies’ thread.

It’s funny that you can’t just decide without asking mumsnet? 😅

I mention all my friends pets by name in Christmas cards and sign them from myself and my pets.

They are part of the family.

That's perfectly OK. You just need to send a separate card to the dog.

I would include the dog. Christmas cards are just a nice/polite gesture, not a legal document.

Although some people think it’s the correct etiquette not to write the names of the recipients on the card at all and just write the names of the senders. I don’t like this approach myself, but it would get round your dilemma.

If you do it once, you’ll need to do it forever and it will look like you’re snubbing the dog.

So don’t sign the dog’s name or you’ll set a precedent.

If you don't want to do it then don't do it. I'm not a fan of the, do it because it doesn't harm you argument.

I have a dog and a friend actually sends me a birthday card from my dog which is sweet but I certainly wouldn't think someone had ignored a family member if they didn't include my dogs name on a card. We really shouldn't promote the idea that if people don't share our views on something's they are bad, it's a ridiculously immature idea.

I don't think the recipient will think twice about it tbh

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

That's perfectly OK. You just need to send a separate card to the dog.

This.

You need to get a hobby.

Ahh this made me sad as my dog died earlier this year and I’m still heartbroken and feeling especially sad as it gets closer to Christmas.

But it also made me smile because you’re right, it’s a bit of a silly non problem and dog owners ARE often bonkers, as was i about my dog. I would put his name on cards to people who knew/ loved him too and were otherwise in on the joke of how bonkers I was about my dog, I wouldn’t include him to people who weren’t really dog people or weren’t close enough for the slightly tongue in cheek gesture.

Lots of people would include him on our cards and that would make me smile, but I wasn’t offended if they didnt

I send a Christmas card to my DB and DSIL, and a separate card just to their dog, I draw little paws and bones inside, so I'm not the best person to comment here I adore their dog.

That's perfectly OK. You just need to send a separate card to the dog.

@ChardonnaysPetDragon Oh I cross-posted with you, great minds think alike

I send a Christmas card to my DB and DSIL, and a separate card just to their dog, I draw little paws and bones inside, so I'm not the best person to comment here grin I adore their dog.

Love this. ❤️

That's perfectly OK. You just need to send a separate card to the dog.

Genius!

As they've just had a baby, should I send the dog a "congratulations on becoming a big brother" card too?

Methinks you may be overthinking this

I think this thread will most likely turn into a dog hating thread. And ‘aren’t dog owners mad with their fur babies’ thread

Oh no I hope not! I do actually really like dogs. Memo to dog haters: be lighthearted