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Original poster

Christening +dog - am i being unreasonable????

72 replies

fee77 · 30/06/2005 12:48

DD is being christened soon, the plans are going well but my parents rocked the boat last night when they mentioned that a family member is bringing their dog - i don't want it! We live in quite a small house, and have never entertained more that 4 people! We are having a tent in the garden, ther will be over 20 guests, we have no drive so people will have to park in the street, there will be young children there and we have two already odd cats, who will be spooked enough on the day. These people haven't asked if they can bring their dog, and hated dogs till they got their own.
Please tell me i am not being unreasonable - i have to phone them tonight, and will basically say chose between dd and the dog! Sorry i rambled, but am a bit tense now!

OP posts:
Blu · 30/06/2005 13:16

Outrageous, rude and unreasonable. I suppose it's up to them if they bring it - just tell them that no way will you allow it in the house or garden (I hope they are not planning to take it in to church??)Then, if they want to adopt crunchies approach and leave it in the car, it's up to them.

Original poster
fee77 · 30/06/2005 13:16

They live about 1 1/2 hrs drive away, so would not be able to leave it home alone. They will have to park in the street, socan't really leave the dog in the car, as it could be up the road, plus it barks so would wind all the neighbours up.
I am glad you all agree with me, and i will definately be making the call tonight. I am dreading it though as i usually avoid confrontation. But no, it is my dd's day and we don't want their smelly old dog ruining it! And it is a retriever, so not a small dog that could hide away somewhere.
I'll let you know how i get on! And i will kill nmy mum if she has got the wrong end of the stick! She doesn't want it there, but is too close to the person to get involved, iyswim.
Thanks for the support - if he argues i will set up a petition for you all to sign tomorrow!

OP posts:
miggy · 30/06/2005 13:17

completely agree although am a coward and would have to make up an excuse eg major dog allergy.
Dh's brother and mad wife did this at our wedding, not only did they bring the dog but insisted on it sleeping with them and they were staying at my mums-she made them sleep on the floor downstairs

hercules · 30/06/2005 13:25

Havent read other replies but why on earth would anyone even consider bringing a dog to a child's christening? You shouldnt have been put in this position in the first place.

bundle · 30/06/2005 13:26

why can't they leave their dog at home?

Nemo1977 · 30/06/2005 13:28

not being funny but WTF are the bringing the dog for???????? I would tell them they cant bring and to put dog up in kennels or something or alternatively if they bring dog it can be tied up outside and they have to clean any mess and walk it often...but it is unfair of them to be bringing dog. If we are going away for a long time then we take our dog to relatives to mind i would never think of bringing it to a christening..

Pinotmum · 30/06/2005 13:34

I had to tell dh to tell his mother not to bring their dog to dd's christening as she would have brought it. She said as we had a big garden it would be OK but I said dd was afraid of dogs because of her dog (which is very excitable) so no way could I take responsibility for it being around other children. I know I was talked about but we had a dog free day. Personally I like dogs but I tend to treat them as dogs not people .

LittleStarsweeper · 30/06/2005 13:34

I had dogs at my ds christening although I didnt know it till the end! My brother brought two up but left them in the back of the car, just letting them out for the ocassional wee. Poor things. Maybe thats what they have in mind. I wouldnt of tolerated them at the house, for no other reason than they would trip folk over and not EVERYONE is comfortable with them.

throckenholt · 30/06/2005 13:47

say no dogs - because some children are coming who are not used to dogs (and that particular dog is not used to those children). Most dogs would find that type of situation stressful anyway.

Don't think leaving the dog in the car is an option at this time of year.

NomDePlume · 30/06/2005 13:53

WTF ????? People bringing dogs to christenings ?! Without asking, too ? Very rude, just tell em you don't want their mutt at your bash, fee77.

pabla · 30/06/2005 15:29

I was at a kids birthday party a few years ago where one of the mothers brought along her dog (don't know if she ok'd it first with the host.) The dog got over excited and at one stage was running around the garden and poohing at the same time (sorry if this is tmi). You can imagine the mess and health hazard caused. I like dogs but totally agree it is inappropriate to bring one to the christening. When my parents had a dog they regularly left it at home on its own. Providing the animal is used to it, it should be fine.

PooPooGirl · 30/06/2005 15:54

You could request that all Christening Invites now are printed with "Guide dogs only" at the bottom of them. Just like McDonalds Prints "Caution Hot" on it's Coffee cups

ScrewballMuppet · 30/06/2005 15:58

fee77 don't think your being unreasonable at all!

Flamesparrow · 30/06/2005 15:58

My mum's dog gets left.... Is there no-one that can check on it and let it out (if there's no dog flap or anything)?

Its complete insanity!!!!

Apart from the plain madness of bringing the dog - if its a christening, then I would expect there to be other children there, and many are scared of dogs. Its probably not fair on the poor dog either - the kids who aren't scared will be "lovign" him.

suedonim · 30/06/2005 16:06

Bizarre. We have friends who think it's okay to bring their dog whenever they visit us, because we also have a dog. But my dog doesn't bl%dy well p*ss all over the house like theirs does! I've never been brave enough to ask them not to bring it.

Another bizarre dog tale. A friend's parents planned to emigrate to Australia. But only the mum went as the dad cried off at the last moment because of the dog. Dad was left wandering around the UK, staying with whoever would have him + dog, because their UK house had already been sold. He said dog couldn't go to Oz as it was too hot and he wouldn't consider re-homing it. I heard just last week that Dad has now gone to Australia - having first had the dog put down! What on earth was that all about???

bundle · 30/06/2005 16:11

suedonim

I still can't understand why they can't leave it at home...

tallulah · 30/06/2005 18:02

We have a dog but I'd never dream of expecting to take her to a christening, or any sort of party FTM. How odd.

HunkerBirthdayMunker · 30/06/2005 18:08

Offer to christen the dog if they insist on bringing it

Seriously, the whole "pets are children with fur and must be taken everywhere and pandered to" brigade seriously piss me off.

Caligula · 30/06/2005 18:40

I have a friend who brings her dog everywhere. OK, he's a really nice dog, but it's bloody work - he goes in and out of the house, trailing mud in and out and every time they go, I have to vacuum up all the hairs and mop the floor. She thinks I'm demented because I complain about it!

Twiglett · 30/06/2005 18:42

tell them a close friend who is coming is violently allergic to dogs and you are very sorry but they can't bring it

then call them complete nutters .. am totally shocked by this one, think its outrageous actually and incredibly socially rude

edam · 30/06/2005 18:49

Noooooo they are mad. Tell them someone else got in first and is bringing their pet rat/cat/rabbit so it's too risky!

Family friend once turned up at our house, the home of two cats, with her three dogs. Without asking or warning. Cue two VERY upset cats hiding on top of wardrobes all day. And a family full of v. fed up cat-owners.

Crazymama · 30/06/2005 19:21

Madness, absolute madness.

However, Im with the allergy route. Get one of your friends to fake an allergy. Call these crazy people, tell them you heard that they planned to bring the mutt, and say that your friend has asthma, that is severely aggreviated by dogs.

Tell them if the mutt comes, its only fair to your friend, that it stays in the car.

Original poster
fee77 · 30/06/2005 20:22

Talk about a fuss over nothing! I spoke to the family concerned, and they are going to sort something out, and feel that it is best if the dog doesn't come! Bloomin' mother!
Thanks for all your support - you gave me the balls to make the call!

Now what else can i find to get in a tizz about!!

OP posts:
edam · 30/06/2005 20:24

I was going to say they are barking... but thought better of it. On reflection can't resist though!

RTKangaMummy · 01/07/2005 22:44

What happened?