Is the dog invited?

[DoggyAuntie]

My husband's brother and his wife are coming to stay with us this weekend, on their way back home from their holiday further north. All good. They live in a big house with a garden whereas we live in a smaller house with a back yard but we can cope for a couple of days.

This afternoon, I looked at my sister-in-law's Instagram. She has posted photos of herself and her husband on holiday - with her dog!

I have not invited the dog. The dog had not been mentioned. I do not want the dog in my house.

My husband has said it's just one of those things. I feel they are being insufferably rude to expect me to welcome the dog into my home without even asking.

Am I being unreasonable?

And those dog owners are pandered to by all and sundry. Who decided that shops were dog exercise areas?

That said, I saw a video on Instagram yesterday of someone who'd taken two rabbits on a plane. Now I like rabbits but is it really necessary to take them on a plane? They weren't moving house either, it was just a trip (not from the UK - I don't think it would have been allowed on a UK airline). Admittedly they are vegetarian and won't smell but someone could still be allergic to them.

I love your deadpan factual responses to posters' questions 🤣

Then she can tell them to prevent said dog coming.

There have been times I have loved my children's most beloved teddies more than most of my pets.

I love my animals but the kids could happily get along without them for a few days. A night without Yellow Rabbit or Old Teddy? A nightmare of sobs and insomnia.

Those stuffed toys were practically co-parents, and god's bless their fake fur selves for that.

Modern dog owner here. I never take my dog anywhere except fields and woods and sometimes the vets.

Same! I don’t know what qualifies someone as being a ’modern’ dog owner rather than an ‘old fashioned’ dog owner, but I own a dog in the year 2026 and have never taken her into a cafe, restaurant or someone else’s house (except my dad’s, because he looks after her when we go on holiday or to stay with friends).

I’ve read the OP’s posts but not all the replies. I can understand the OP being irritated. I remember a friend inviting a bunch of her son’s friends (and their parents) to hang out in the gardens within her flat complex. All great - except one mum turned up with her dog and was astounded to find out that absolutely no dogs were allowed on the premises at any time (the flat complex rule, not my friend’s). People need to check before bringing a dog.

Is it?
Just reading in here many dogs owners go away wo their dogs, for many different reasons
And not all pet owners considered them ‘a family member’ either. Most consider them … a pet.

Not misogyny; just observing as other posters have the dismissive, angry, abrasive tone the OP has.

Just as I 'observed' your unnecessary use of a misogynistic slur.

I have a family member like this. Just because they adore dogs doesnt mean i want them in my house when they visit. I dont have a dog for the simple reason of not wanting the mess they cant help but create. And they never clean up after them or fix/pay for anything they ruin. They just laugh about it .
So infuriating. So I agree with you op.

Late to the party but I always feel quite sad when people are dog haters - they miss out on so much love! Our dog is as important in our family as any of us, genuinely, it’s a very special relationship between human and dog and in some ways surpasses even the greatest love for a child, because they stay babies so you never lose that gooey inexplicable adoration just at their very sleeping being.

however, I would always overtly ask if my dog could come to stay because it is a different kind of guest to humans. In this situation where the OP isn’t prepared to state her objections, because it would seem rude, I can understand her late night desire to sound off. If that helps her to refrain from sounding off to BIL then all to the good. Hope the weekend is more peaceful and less slobbery than you expect op.

I had sympathy for you until you refused to actually speak to the people about it. You’ll just have to seethe about it to yourself.

OP is being very rude direct to posters on this thread though🤪

I don't like these pile ons on MN
I think op is right to think this is rude
I think there are 2 types of dog owner -
1.old fashioned ones where the dog is trained/not taken to shop/cafe/pub- loved but lives at home/not taken on holiday.
2.Post covid owners who expect to take their 'fur baby ' everywhere/treat it as a child/hate anyone who does not love said 'fur baby '/push it round in a pram/have a bit of a sad hole in their lives.

I'm not keen on dogs ( mostly because they're bloody everywhere) that doesn't make me a 'dog hater'. I don't hate them. I'm not keen on moths either but im not a 'moth hater '.

Now I’m even more confused because I bought my dog post Covid but I don’t take her anywhere except nice long walks and I don’t call her my fur baby. Which type am I? I have existential angst!

Dog people are most certainly human. Don't imply otherwise.

To us, our dogs are family. They're adopted members, we chose to have them in our lives, and our lives are made better for that.

If more humans had the hearts of dogs, the world would be a better place.

You are the good, and more normal kind of dog owner that we had in this country before Covid!

in some ways surpasses even the greatest love for a child

goodness

Just popping back to say I will update you all once the weekend has passed, but please note that the craziest post on this thread has just appeared, which includes the line:

a very special relationship between human and dog [which] in some ways surpasses even the greatest love for a child

WTF?

Beat me to it!!! 😅

I don’t like or trust people who don’t like dogs. If you have an allergy or are genuinely afraid of dogs I get that but not liking dogs for no reason makes me instantly dislike you but I also don’t like children . But that’s just me.

Any dog owner will appreciate what I am trying to express, albeit slightly tongue in cheek, about the depth of emotion we feel for our pooches.

To emulate your approach, read my post.