Don't want my brother's dog at Christmas

[Keepoffmyartichokes]

Every year we host Christmas for both families, it's always a lovely day but a bit chaotic. This year my brother who has to travel about 40 minutes but due to sharing custody of his children only stays about 3 hours wants to bring his cockapoo. We don't want the dog in our house, we don't have pets, we have nice flooring we don't want scratching, nice furniture that we don't want to dog jumping on. It's a spoiled dog and not very well trained. My DS who is 13 said he doesn't want it there as it's jumpy and he's not keen. My MIL has had a knee replacement this year and is a bit unsteady still and I think it will cause stress for her as a trip hazard. But how do I tell my brother kindly without coming across as a dog hater.

Does he take it to work? If not then he should be fine also leaving it while he visits you? My daughter is the same with her dog and I get sick of having to have these conversations. People should respect your home and rules.

This thread became somewhat batshit. I mean Lord Byron? WTF!?

It’s hilarious!
Some people don’t want dogs in their house and thats ok!
I don’t. I’ve got 2 cats. We had a text from the in laws once saying they were on their way over and they had the dog. Nope, turn around… no dogs in this house!

That kind of presumption is just insane to me. Why assume that it would be okay to bring a dirty destructive animal into someone else’s home.

You said I lacked compassion and you seem to think people either love dogs or hate them nothing in the middle.
Also bear in mind on this thread my son who is 13 got called a wet blanket and spoilt for not liking dogs, by the so called dog lovers. Where is the compassion there?

There are dog owners and there are dog “parents”.

The people who identify as dog “parents” harbour vitriol and venom for actual children, I presume because the site of a human child makes them feel insecure and reminds them that they are not in fact a “parent”, but a person who bought an animal who then cannot say no or express opinions or leave them.

The dog owners are usually reasonable normal people.

Exactly this.

I love dogs. I love all animals.

I've lived with dogs and cats and I much prefer cats as pets. Their aloofness somehow matches my vibe. Judge as you will.

Just my preference.

I hate the smell of dogs (ND thing?) but I'll happily fuss and roll around and get slobbered on and all of the other wonderful ways dogs show affection because joy is joy, right?

I buy gifts for friend's and family dogs and consider them part of the family.

i just don't want to live with one.

What other people think about that is utterly irrelevant.

Your home. Your choice.