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 ?!

Mine has presents which he opens with everyone else on Christmas Day. He also has a special Christmas dinner and all the visiting family make a big fuss of him. He is already really excited, totally understands vocab around presents, food and family names. Currently snuggled up next to me in front of the fire now, wearing his Christmas jumper obviously. Granted, he skips the whole midnight mass and hallelujah business but then so do I.

He probably understands it better than your average toddler in fact, but you ain’t farming them off to a babysitter are you?

My dog gets excited when he sees a shoe. They don't know or care that it's Christmas. Anyone who thinks they do is a fantasist and that's being polite.

I agree young children don't know or care it is christmas either, but, yet again, however much you love your dog, they simply are not the equivalent of a human child and will never be.

Bonkers

I’m sorry your dog isn’t as intellectually gifted as mine. He knows a shoe’s a shoe and it doesn’t excite him in the least 😂

As for whether my dog is the equivalent of whatever to me, that’s for me to feel, certainly not for some random on a chat thread to decide.

Dogs are not allowed in my house, but I would be prepared to make an exception for a dog that could explain the Incarnation and the Virgin Birth in terms that actually made sense.

😂 so in the next couple of years your dog is going to go to school, learn to read and write and process these memories?

Well yanbu as it’s your house

but then I wouldn’t go anywhere on Christmas Day if I couldn’t take my dog. So I’d simply decline your invite and stay home

I have the exact same criteria for people, how spooky.

Why doesn't this surprise me 😂!!
"You'd dress a toddler, why not a dog?" 😂

I hate dogs and my children ( who don't have them) know full well if it was ever a choice of they come for Christmas with a dog or they don't come at all then don't come at all is fine with me. No dogs ever will cross my threshold.

He’s ten! He’s been going to school for years already.

(Wait - you had to edit that sentence? 😂)

The thing I think is the biggest argument against those who claim their dogs are like children is that dogs don't live very long. 12, 15, maybe 20 years in very exceptional cases.

If children were only guaranteed to live 12 years, no one would have them because the pain of being guaranteed to lose them would be too great. If I genuinely felt that pets were equivalent to children, I wouldn't ever have pets.

Anyway, there's little point trying to have a sensible conversation with someone who genuinely believes that their dog understands that it is christmas 🙄

You have to be on windup?

Look up Anthropomorphism

Its a thing.

so in the next couple of years your dog is going to go to school, learn to read and write and process these memories?

Sounds like the dog has a PhD already.

Two.

No you’re alright thanks.

Perfectly happy here.

Just dh family with dogs my mum has 2 cats but she doesn’t take them anywhere (they are a bit grumpy !)

• @caninechristmasconundrum

I imagine that if your mum tried to bring her cats with her, they'd be even grumpier 😂

Anyway, you're definitely NBU to ask them to leave their dogs at home. We wouldn't expect to bring a dog unless specifically told it is okay. Normal/sensible people don't assume that their dog is welcome everywhere, and especially not to a non-dog household.

And @GetDressedYouMerryGentlemen Unbelievable that someone took the spaces of two invited children at your DS's birthday party - some people are just so cluelessly entitled!

Good for you, but sorry you are so miserable and uptight. Maybe you need to pet your dog more?

I'm fine thanks. I love my dog. I just know that he doesn't know what christmas is, because I'm not a lunatic.

I like dogs but it does my head in when people being their dogs everywhere. You go out a family day out and they bring the dog but because most of the places us non dog owners want to go aren't dog friendly, we don't go. It's annoying. I owned a dog and she would be looked after if we went on holiday. We wouldn't just show up with her at people's houses and expect them to be ok with it.

YANBU
I have a Westie and I would never assume we come as a pair!!
Especially so on Christmas Day with family, extra people, extra noise etc
They are being selfish to even think it's possible

😂

Nothing wrong with being a happy loon mate. Beats being normal 😂

Chucking three young dogs in with a couple of excitable young kids with the hectic atmosphere of Christmas day is not advisable. It's not fair on the dogs first and foremost, there is a big spike in behavioural issues roung this time of year due to the chaos and people's unreasonable expectations.

The people that bought the dogs need to accept that it's going to cramp their social style at some point and this is just one example.

They can accept the invitation and leave the dog elsewhere, or decline. This is not your riddle to solve.

Up to them.

If you build it, they will come…