Everyone just assumed they can bring their dogs with them for Christmas day ??

[caninechristmasconundrum]

In the last year 3 members of our family have got dogs (2 puppies 1 older rescue) . We always host for Christmas and I (maybe stupidly) assumed that dogs go to kennels or stay at home for the day ? I’ve never had pets before so will admit I don’t know much ! I don’t see why a few hours at home / in a crate is bad for dogs though? We don’t live that far away.

Seems they all expected to bring their dogs with them ???

After BIL and SIL made this clear and told us that ILs will be the same about their rescue dog I’ve sent a message to everyone saying ‘Really sorry but I think there may have been some confusion on my part and I assumed the dogs would all be left at home on Christmas day. We are not able to have them here due to personal preference, lack of space and the dc are still so little. You’re all still very welcome but I understand if it’s going to be a problem leaving the dogs at home so let me know what you’d like to do xx’

DH got messages back asking is it because of my ‘germ ocd’ (in part it is that’s why I put personal preference) and telling him he has a say in it too as it’s not just my house. He replied that he assumed the same and although we have the biggest house it’s not exactly huge and having 3 dogs there too will just be too much so he’s in total agreement with me (they aren’t small breeds and the puppies are at that into everything zooming about stage)

Is this the norm now that dogs go everywhere and are never left home for a few hours ? AIBU to want a dog free Christmas ?!

We have a cat, a dog, guinea pigs, an axolotl, marine aquarium and chickens, so it's not like we are germaphobes or don't like animals but I wouldn't be impressed if someone assumed they could bring their pets to my house, and honestly, even if they asked the answer would be no, especially at Christmas.
You're being hospitable enough by hosting Christmas for them all, it's pretty cheeky of them to assumed or expect that the invitation extends to their animals too.

An axolotl has to be the winner of most unusual pet mentioned on MN!

I had a beautiful axolotl, Herbert.
I didn't take him everywhere with me. Although he got a bit moody if I was away for a while.

We are turning up mob handed at a Family member's house! {Sarcasm!}

So if you had lots of family allergic to dogs you would expect them to suffer streaming itchy eyes, hives if licked & some who end up wheezing rather than say sorry no dogs this time.

The reason is irrelevant. It's rude for people to take their dogs to your house.

I voted YABU because I would love to spend Christmas Day with three doggies, even as a crazy cat lady!

That's fine for you, but why is she being unreasonable?

They will be panicking because it's unlikely they'll find any boarders/kennels to have them at this point, but that's not your fault, and they absolutely should have checked first. I don't blame you for not wanting 3 dogs around your children. Christmas day is manic at the best of times. My dog is always affected a bit by all the excitement, so I imagine 2 puppies and a new rescue would be a bit frantic. Even if they are disappointed they can't bring them, they are so out of order trying to pitch your DH against you. That's really shit. I imagine they knew you would say no and thought if they left it long enough you'd have to say yes. Stand firm!

My friend {Retired PhD} dog sits at his own country home - He has a few select clients that he's had for years and they pay £50 a day/night for a boutique service.{The dogs all get on}
He has been booked up since June for Christmas/New Year.

Anywhere with a good reputation will have been booked months in advance.

I have a dog and I definitely would not expect to take her to anyone’s house! It does limit how long you can stay out but that’s just the responsibility of owning a dog!!

I would appreciate your point of view, but would decline to come if mine had to be left home for hours on Christmas Day. Equally though, I would have checked with you before accepting an invite.

Ditto - I was unable to visit parents at Christmas years ago as they had two cats who would have detested even well behaved dogs on their premises.

They probably assumed you would know that you can not leave puppies for an extended period, nor a rescue dog. It looks like they assumed you would know this, and whilst I agree with them - they really should have checked or offered to host themselves.

Your dogs don't realise it's Christmas. They're dogs.

I have no issue with dogs but don’t have any myself and am highly allergic so there’s no way I could have dogs here. My house is spotless, I wouldn’t want other people’s dogs undoing that.

I think the world has gone mad when it comes to dogs, they seem to be everywhere these days x

They are beyond ridiculous in expecting you to welcome three dogs into your home on Christmas Day.

I wouldn't like anyone's dogs in my house at all whether it was Christmas or not. I think it's really rude of people to think that this would be acceptable.

You leave your dog alone for 9 hours? You are an awful ‘old skool’ dog owner.

Posts like this go a long way to explaining why so many children (and adults) have been maimed by dogs in recent years.

Dogs are dogs. They're not the equivalent of human children.

Complete CF's.

The statement that it is your husbands home too, is disgraceful.
I think it should be cancelled.
I would tell your husband to communicate to them that ye will do your own thing and it is cancelled.
What a bunch of uncouth CF's thinking all their dogs can land into your home.

This x100

There are at least 3 dog owners who could watch all 3 dogs at SILs for a bit of the day, so even with constant dog supervision nobody needs to miss more than a couple of hours of the festivities if they cooperate with each other.

They are not wrong they definitely shouldn’t leave them for such a long time, but they should have checked. I wouldn’t fall out, just say let’s have lunch elsewhere this Christmas as it will be too much for us this year - no arguments are necessary.

Maybe I should have mentioned my 2 pet seahorses in my marine tank, the axolotl is pretty mundane in comparison imo