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Original poster

Why’s my sofa in your lounge?

182 replies

BdayQ · 30/07/2025 01:17

We are in the process of moving house and are currently in a rental whilst we wait for the new house to be ready (expecting it to be about 6 months)
We have a fairly new 3 piece suite but only room for the chairs in the rental place, so ILs offered to store the sofa until the new house is ready. They have a big house and said it could go in a downstairs bedroom that never gets used. DH took it over in a van and took into the room it was supposed to stay in.
Anyway, we’ve come to stay with them today for a couple of days, went to see SIL this evening and there’s our sofa in her living room with a toddler and a dog sat on it! No covers or anything and just sat there like it’s supposed to be there.
DH didn’t know it was there either until we saw it but he wasn’t saying anything, so it was left for me to question why it was there… nobody could give a good reason why it’s at SILs house and were looking at me like I was mad for asking. DH then said we wanted it back in the spare room at ILs house rather than being used in SILs heavy footfall house and potentially getting damaged.
We did say if there was a problem storing it at ILs as per the agreed plan, it wasn’t a problem and we could arrange a storage unit instead. ILs just looked surprised/confused and said it was fine to move it back to theirs “if that’s what you want” in a bewildered sort of way. Apparently SIL scoffed like we were idiots for even bringing it up and said “FFS, what do you think it’s going to happen to your precious sofa?!” although that was when I was out of the room and DH only told me later that she said that.
AITA here? I pretty much know I’m not, but ILs and SILs reaction suggest they think there’s nothing wrong with moving it - but the audacity! And why the secrecy? Apparently they didn’t tell us because it wasn’t a big deal. But like I say, there’s also seemingly no good reason for it to have been moved, they’ve not even attempted to give a reason/excuse, just the offer to move it back to ILs “if that’s what you want.”

OP posts:
ohnotthisagain2025 · 31/07/2025 02:54

Justchilling07 · 31/07/2025 02:06

You’re just contradicting yourself.You don’t love dogs, because if you did, you wouldn’t be referring to all dogs as smelly! That’s fine you don’t want a dog on your couch, dogs are intuitive, would pick up on your hostility that you can’t stand them anyway, know they’re not welcome.
As already said, if you’re going into other people’s homes and they smell, that’s just neglect.If they looked after their dog properly, there would be no odour or dirt.

Show quote history

You sound unhinged. Everyone - and I do mean every single person on the whole earth with a functional sense of smell - understands that dogs smell. All of them. The clean ones, the brushed ones. All of them.

If you are actually making this claim, you should see a doctor and have your sense of smell checked, it can be a symptom of other more serious issues.

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 31/07/2025 04:17

Did you realise that you had married into hillbillies? What a bunch of CFs!

SatsumaDog · 31/07/2025 04:30

That’s ridiculous! It will get completely ruined by the time you get it back. What CF’s!

SatsumaDog · 31/07/2025 04:34

ohnotthisagain2025 · 31/07/2025 02:54

You sound unhinged. Everyone - and I do mean every single person on the whole earth with a functional sense of smell - understands that dogs smell. All of them. The clean ones, the brushed ones. All of them.

If you are actually making this claim, you should see a doctor and have your sense of smell checked, it can be a symptom of other more serious issues.

Edited
Show quote history

Exactly! Of course dogs smell. I can tell if someone owns a dog the minute they open their front door. I love dogs, would have one myself if I had the time, but they all smell of dog. It’s not a hideous smell imo, but a sofa will pick it up if it’s regularly sat on by a dog.

hhtddbkoygv · 31/07/2025 05:09

ButteredRadish · 30/07/2025 12:39

Tell us you’re an animal hater and know nothing about animals without telling us…… 🙄

• Not all dogs are dirty (especially when well looked after)
• Many, many dog breeds do not shed fur at all
• Many, many dog breeds are hypoallergenic and can be around those who are allergic without any reaction at all
• Most sofa covers can be washed…..

Show quote history

I absolutely adore dogs, I wouldn't allow them on my sofa or furniture though.

You don't have to hate something for you not to want it on your furniture. 🤔

Pancakeorcrepe · 31/07/2025 06:12

Gosh her house sounds chaotic! Five kids with sticky jam fingers and a dog were definitely going to ruin your sofa. I’ve got one dog and even with covers etc,my sofa has a lot more wear and tear.

RowanRed90 · 31/07/2025 06:25

HiRen · 30/07/2025 02:50

I think this is one of those situations where people see the same thing completely differently.

My SIL often asks to try on a ring I have. It’s my mum’s very dear to me, huge sentimental value. Nothing is going to happen to it if she tries it on. But I don’t like taking it off, I don’t want it on her finger. To her, it’s a random piece of jewelry. To me, it’s part of my mum.

To your PILs and SIL, it’s just a sofa. Literally meant for sitting on. To you, it’s your home furniture. Where you feel cosy and safe and it’s yours.

It's not their sofa though?!

beAsensible1 · 31/07/2025 06:28

I’d just put it in storage. The cheek of it.

CoffeeCantata · 31/07/2025 06:30

ButteredRadish · 30/07/2025 12:39

Tell us you’re an animal hater and know nothing about animals without telling us…… 🙄

• Not all dogs are dirty (especially when well looked after)
• Many, many dog breeds do not shed fur at all
• Many, many dog breeds are hypoallergenic and can be around those who are allergic without any reaction at all
• Most sofa covers can be washed…..

Show quote history

I LOVE animals - I haven’t eaten meat for nearly 40 years.

But I don’t like them in my house. I grew up with cats absolutely everywhere (on the beds, sitting on worktops etc) and I’ve definitely reacted against that. When a cat or dog scratches itself or shakes itself, a great shower of skin flakes and hair comes off ( normally not visible, but if there’s a shaft of sunlight you see it). And once (when I had my first flat) a friend came round with her dog which proceeded to rub its backside along my new rug (proud buy on a very small budget) because it was clearly itching. I was really put off and had to get the rug cleaned.

It’s nothing to do with not liking animals (I admit I’m not mad about the concept of pets, but that’s different). I need to know that if I drop my biscuit on the carpet, I can pick it up!

feelingfree17 · 31/07/2025 06:30

I thought you were going to say the in laws were using it. That would have been bad enough, but this is next level! Unbelievable. I would be furious.

ohnotthisagain2025 · 31/07/2025 06:54

SatsumaDog · 31/07/2025 04:34

Exactly! Of course dogs smell. I can tell if someone owns a dog the minute they open their front door. I love dogs, would have one myself if I had the time, but they all smell of dog. It’s not a hideous smell imo, but a sofa will pick it up if it’s regularly sat on by a dog.

Show quote history

Right. Our lovely boy had to be put to sleep a few weeks ago. We miss him terribly, and if we could have him back I would do so in an instant, but yesterday my husband mentioned reluctantly how much cleaner the house was, and that everything just smells a bit fresher, especially in the study where my husband often works and the dog would lie at his feet. We both felt guilty even thinking it, but we had both been thinking it.

He was clean, short haired and well looked after, it's a good sized house and he had a good sized back yard - and he smelled like dog, which you could pick up slightly, because they absolutely all smell like dog and there were many many hairs, which we had to keep on top of all the time.

Again, we'd love to have him back, and we understood when we brought him home that this is the bargain you make with dogs, a bit of dirt and smell for their love and comfort.

But we're not batshit enough to pretend he didn't smell like a dog and make the house dirtier. Of course he did, they ALL do.

SpaceRaccoon · 31/07/2025 07:24

Anyone who thinks Labradors don't smell must not actually have a working nose!

Blondeshavemorefun · 31/07/2025 07:31

Glad sofa got moved back

dogs do smell - some owners came keep their house nice with washing beds - grooming etc

other houses stink. Literally. It’s awful

Twelftytwo · 31/07/2025 07:34

I don't understand - moving a sofa is a massive hassle and they don't normally fit in normal cars.
Does one of them own a van?

Justchilling07 · 31/07/2025 07:57

ohnotthisagain2025 · 31/07/2025 02:54

You sound unhinged. Everyone - and I do mean every single person on the whole earth with a functional sense of smell - understands that dogs smell. All of them. The clean ones, the brushed ones. All of them.

If you are actually making this claim, you should see a doctor and have your sense of smell checked, it can be a symptom of other more serious issues.

Edited
Show quote history

Oh do go away, why would your opinion matter to me, l’m not making any 'claims’, l’m going on experience.
Again, if a dog is well cared for, they don’t smell and the house shouldn’t smell either, as l’ve already said l completely understand, someone not wanting a dog on their sofa though, just not the need to hate on animals.
Just because you don’t agree, that makes the other person unhinged!! Hmm, interesting take, you sound like a delight!
As, for your 'advice’ for me to see a doctor, because according to you, l might have more serious issues😂 just because you don’t like what l’ve said.
I haven’t read your other comments, no doubt they’re all the same, insulting and trolling.

Gemmawemma9 · 31/07/2025 08:47

Justchilling07 · 31/07/2025 07:57

Oh do go away, why would your opinion matter to me, l’m not making any 'claims’, l’m going on experience.
Again, if a dog is well cared for, they don’t smell and the house shouldn’t smell either, as l’ve already said l completely understand, someone not wanting a dog on their sofa though, just not the need to hate on animals.
Just because you don’t agree, that makes the other person unhinged!! Hmm, interesting take, you sound like a delight!
As, for your 'advice’ for me to see a doctor, because according to you, l might have more serious issues😂 just because you don’t like what l’ve said.
I haven’t read your other comments, no doubt they’re all the same, insulting and trolling.

Show quote history

You sound barking.
Pardon the pun.
🐶

MyNewFish · 31/07/2025 08:56

Your 'precious' 2 GRAND item? An item that costs as much as someone's rent? A month's wages or more?

A hairy animal that licks buttholes on it?

Absolute freeloading scruffs!

Justchilling07 · 31/07/2025 09:01

Gemmawemma9 · 31/07/2025 08:47

You sound barking.
Pardon the pun.
🐶

Show quote history

Hmm, you sound like an idiot, but there we go.

ellyeth · 31/07/2025 12:20

I would be really annoyed about that. It's so inconsiderate.

Empress13 · 31/07/2025 13:26

Cheeky feckers ! The sheer audacity of them

murasaki · 31/07/2025 14:13

You know once you've gone home it's going straight back to the SiL, don't you....

menopausalfart · 31/07/2025 14:20

I wonder if she looked at it and thought, I need a nice dog couch? Cheeky fker.

Hopingtobeaparent · 31/07/2025 14:59

Wow!! Seems like they’ve shown their true CF side! And how they’ve responded seems very gaslighting-esk. At least now you know…

J3001 · 31/07/2025 18:01

SpaceRaccoon · 31/07/2025 07:24

Anyone who thinks Labradors don't smell must not actually have a working nose!

I have a lab and wet he stinks but love my one eyed boy

SpaceRaccoon · 31/07/2025 18:18

I have a lab and wet he stinks but love my one eyed boy

They're lovely dogs, it's their only flaw.