TRUTH THREAD---whose dog stayed home for Christmas?! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

JiggityJig · 12-25-2006, 09:26 PM

This will probably make me unpopular, but I have to admit....I'm more than a little disturbed by ALL the threads by people who are choosing to STAY HOME from family Christmas get-togethers, over issues with their dogs.

Our dogs are our BABIES, and the amount of enjoyment my husband and sons and I get from them just never ceases to amaze me. They have brought so much love and joy into our lives, and we can't imagine life without them now.

But if I had to choose between spending Christmas with my mom, and Christmas with my dogs, I'd choose my mom. Heck, I'd even choose my MOTHER-IN-LAW

---cuz heck...that's what the holidays are about...being with our FAMILIES. And as much as we love our dogs, and as huge a part of our lives as they are...I just can't see where it would EVER be appropriate to put a pet before human relationships.

Okay, that's my unpopular opinion #1.

Number two....I would think the MAJORITY of holiday family get-togethers would be unsafe and stressful for our fur-babies, anyway. Over and over we read stories of puppies getting passed around too much, and dogs getting dropped, and family members feeding them people food, in spite of our requests otherwise...etc.

Wouldn't it be MUCH less stressful for our dogs to be left at home in their familiar and safe environments, where they will most likely just snooze the entire time we're gone?!

I realize it's sort of easy for me to say, since all my family is local, and I understand that people who have to travel have a MUCH harder choice to make.

But I even think that then, leaving them in kennel care (as HARD as that would be

) would often be the much safer choice for our little ones.

We had three different major family events to attend. The first was in a very small house where there isn't ever enough room for all the PEOPLE there....obviously the dogs stayed home.

The second was at my Mom's house--the dogs all often visit her, are used to her house, and she adores them and doesn't care if they have accidents on her floor.

It was just my little family and my mom and dad....so the dogs got to go.

The last (today) was at a house where there were 20-30 people, and LOTS of little kids. Again, things are always very crowded and chaotic there, so it was a no-brainer to leave the dogs at home.

Obviously I know that A LOT of people on the board disagree with me.

But does anyone AGREE?! Come on....tell the truth....it doesn't make you a bad fur-mommy....did you leave your furbaby HOME for Christmas?!

~Yorkie~Mommy~ · 12-25-2006, 09:40 PM

Ok I do agree with you BUT I do consider my PET my FAMILY and you are right I wouldn't pick Bailey over my "human Family" but I still CARE a great deal about his well being but I do understand where you are coming from because I WOULD NEVERRRRRRR EVERRRRR EVERRRRR put my pup in the situation he was in the past 2 days I feel terrible!! But what I can say is I am with you on leaving my pup home for some of the holidays until he is bigger and I think he can handle it

And for people who do not go see family i.e. parents because of there dogs to me are acting crazy because for Pete's sake THATS YOUR PARENTS YOU ONLY GET ONE SET (and don't give me that "well you only get one dog" crap ITS YOUR PARENTS!!) But I don't think there are alot of people that don't go see their family because of there dog ARE THERE???? You are not a bad fur mommy

Desert Dogs · 12-25-2006, 09:55 PM

We almost brought Lacey with us to my Mother In Law's last night.
I am so glad we decided to leave her at home. Her house is not that big and with the whole family there it was completely packed.
My Sister in Law brought two of her Mini Schnauzers and my MIL's Mini Schnauzer was also there. I do know if I brought Lacey that she would get along fine with the other dogs, just didn't know how she would react to the chaos (We've only had her a few weeks). I am glad we didn't take her.
It was udder chaos. I would have had to watch her like a hawk. I am sure she was completely comfortable at home with our other dogs.

JiggityJig · 12-25-2006, 10:09 PM

(off topic!)

Desert Dogs, Lacey in your avatar made me check out your dogster pages. God BLESS you for rescuing!!! What a great looking crew you have there, and I bet Lacey will be a beauty once she gets a little more weight and hair back on her.

What a sweet face!!!

(When we saw the OESs on the dog show on TV, we were laughing and saying that that's what Kiki THINKS she looks like! She has a thick cotton coat and when her hair is all messy it hangs in her face like that--and that's how big she THINKS she is!

)

FlDebra · 12-26-2006, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiggityJig

Obviously I know that A LOT of people on the board disagree with me.

But does anyone AGREE?! Come on....tell the truth....it doesn't make you a bad fur-mommy....did you leave your furbaby HOME for Christmas?!

I agree with you -- common sense often dictates leaving our babies at home. They are often more comfortable and safer at home. And human families should always come first. Of course we love our furkids, but not over real family members!

We left our 4 at home. I am sure I could have taken one or two but to take 4 would be too big of an imposition on any gathering! I figured it would be hectic enough with all the company that the pups would not have enjoyed the visit. So, why put them through it? Just to show them off? No, I think they were very happy to stay home with their new toys. Mine do have each other so they are not that lonely with us gone for a few hours (although you would think so when we come home and are greeted like long lost loves). But even if I had just one -- I would have left her at home.

We had a wonderful morning that included the dogs. We had a wonderful family visit at my sister's. Then we came back home to our dogs again. So I do not think they were neglected and they were safe from dozens of feet, and excess handling. They were comfortable in their own home, with their own beds, and their own peace and quiet. No one else had our pets forced upon them and all were happy.

Shelby&Seymour · 12-26-2006, 12:58 AM

Shelby & Seymour stayed at home yesterday. I am sure that they slept all afternoon ( we were gone 4 hours). After being up all morning with us, playing with new toys, it was a great break for them. When we got to my in-laws, everyone was expecting them....... but understood that they needed a rest ( and we didn't have to worry about them while we were there..... lots of people and they love to be underfoot!!!!)
Of course, they were happy to see us back home!

chachi · 12-26-2006, 02:34 AM

Chachi and Jewels stay home when we visit Family. Neither His Mom and StepDad or My Husbands Brothers have pets so I dont think they would like the dogs there. Now My Aunt on My side of the Family has dogs and wouldnt mind if we brought them but there are too many kids and people there and they could get hurt. They are fine at home and just sleep while we are gone

red98vett · 12-26-2006, 04:51 AM

My girls stay home with my husband who can't go. They went absolutely crazy when I got home after being gone all day & all night.... poor babies......I love coming home to all that love but if people think dogs can't tell time - they're very wrong lol

but I'd rather spend time with my family and enjoy them then have to worry about the kids with my girls - Christmas is too nuts in my family. So mine don't go.

Normally my son has his weiner dogs so I got in the habit of leaving the girls...We don't need 4 small dogs running around with over 20 people in the house and I'm just plain too busy to keep an eye on them AND help with all the food and stuff.

I would never forfeit time with my family - my decisions on when to take the girls are always based on WHO is there or what we're doing

frankie mum · 12-26-2006, 05:09 AM

hi
i left mine at home too.and they are ok .because they use to it.they got a lots of yummy thing.when i got back..

Ladyhawk · 12-26-2006, 05:20 AM

All my babies stayed home Christmas eve though my sister was nice enough to invite them. It's too hard to keep track of all four and two of them don't enjoy car rides. We did take the smallest one to Mom's for Christmas day. First thing she did was get all excited and poo in the entrance way! We're working on socialization for showing but it would have been easier to leave her home. They got presents and treats and they have each other for company. Besides it gives you a good reason to go home a bit earlier!

magnolia · 12-26-2006, 05:26 AM

Well, since we spend every Thanksgiving and Christmas at my house and my family comes over, my babies are always with me on these holidays so I don't have to decide to leave them home or not. We do, however, travel for a week-end to visit my in-laws - sometimes we take them and sometimes my brother wants to "baby sit" for us....it just depends on him and his schedule. There are no longer any small children on my side of the family, they are all teenagers now. Hubby's side does have smaller children and I would NOT put my babies in a chaotic situation when they are around - there are 4, all under the age of 9 - and another one on the way - Gabby would go NUTS and, not really meaning to hurt, just to defend herself, might snap at one of them. So yes, I agree there are times when our furbabies need to remain in their own home where they feel safe, secure, and most of all, unthreatened.

ditsy · 12-26-2006, 06:33 AM

My unpopular confession is ...

I take my dogs with me as an excuse to leave early

But yeah, if I had family here in the states (I'm English, living in the states) then I'd have no problem leaving my pups at home for a few hours.

LuvMySissy · 12-26-2006, 06:48 AM

My baby rarely goes with me when I visit others. We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's (who lives just around the corner and down the street), but there were 20 people there along with her Great Pyranese, my brother's Pit (he lives with her) and their two cats. That is plenty enough animals and even they were locked up in a bedroom while everyone was there).

Christmas day is pretty low-key. Only my daughter is here (my son moved to S. Carolina in November and didn't come home) and she spent the night. In the morning, we get up and open gifts then I make breakfast. After that, everyone gets showered and we go to the show. After the show, my daughter went to her boyfriend's family, the hubby and I went home and I made a small turkey breast half for dinner and we watched tv! and snuggled with Sissy!!!!!

Elisandra · 12-26-2006, 07:02 AM

But i also left my baby home although it was only 7 adults and 1 child i didnt want him eating wrapping paper or running around with all the chaos of opening gifts. Although we opened up gifts early and by 11:30pm i was home so i got to spend it with my baby regardles and i hugged and kissed him and told him Merry 1st Christmas im sure he forgives me for leaving him.

margaritaville · 12-26-2006, 07:16 AM

We went to my sister's for Thanksgiving and the babies stayed home. Christmas eve and Christmas everyone was here (15 and 17 people) Bubba does very well with people and was all over the place and trying to encourage everyone into a tug of war with one toy or another but Sissy is very shy but friendly and spent most of her time being held by someone who wasn't cooking or helping. When there wasn't someone available she went in the crate and went to sleep. Neither one of them would eat those days but I think they some how or other got fed. Even though you ask people not to feed them food seems to get dropped and once these two get a taste of turkey they poke their noses up when you try to feed them dog food.

12-25-2006, 09:40 PM	#2
~Yorkie~Mommy~ Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 3,933	Ok I do agree with you BUT I do consider my PET my FAMILY and you are right I wouldn't pick Bailey over my "human Family" but I still CARE a great deal about his well being but I do understand where you are coming from because I WOULD NEVERRRRRRR EVERRRRR EVERRRRR put my pup in the situation he was in the past 2 days I feel terrible!! But what I can say is I am with you on leaving my pup home for some of the holidays until he is bigger and I think he can handle it And for people who do not go see family i.e. parents because of there dogs to me are acting crazy because for Pete's sake THATS YOUR PARENTS YOU ONLY GET ONE SET (and don't give me that "well you only get one dog" crap ITS YOUR PARENTS!!) But I don't think there are alot of people that don't go see their family because of there dog ARE THERE???? You are not a bad fur mommy __________________ ~Christina~ Our human baby girl is HERE!! Luvin' My Prince Bailey Bailey's Dogster Page Bailey 's Gracie Last edited by ~Yorkie~Mommy~; 12-25-2006 at 09:44 PM.

12-25-2006, 09:55 PM	#3
Desert Dogs Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cathedral City, CA Posts: 129	We almost brought Lacey with us to my Mother In Law's last night. I am so glad we decided to leave her at home. Her house is not that big and with the whole family there it was completely packed. My Sister in Law brought two of her Mini Schnauzers and my MIL's Mini Schnauzer was also there. I do know if I brought Lacey that she would get along fine with the other dogs, just didn't know how she would react to the chaos (We've only had her a few weeks). I am glad we didn't take her. It was udder chaos. I would have had to watch her like a hawk. I am sure she was completely comfortable at home with our other dogs. __________________ Elissa - my dogs: Lacey - http://www.dogster.com/?441632 Pepsi - http://www.dogster.com/?275857 Rags - http://www.dogster.com/?275875

12-25-2006, 10:09 PM	#4
JiggityJig YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TX Posts: 1,226	(off topic!) Desert Dogs, Lacey in your avatar made me check out your dogster pages. God BLESS you for rescuing!!! What a great looking crew you have there, and I bet Lacey will be a beauty once she gets a little more weight and hair back on her. What a sweet face!!! (When we saw the OESs on the dog show on TV, we were laughing and saying that that's what Kiki THINKS she looks like! She has a thick cotton coat and when her hair is all messy it hangs in her face like that--and that's how big she THINKS she is! ) __________________ OUR HEARTS KIKI MAZIE JIMBOB ELFIE OUR JOYS

12-26-2006, 02:34 AM	#7
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Chachi and Jewels stay home when we visit Family. Neither His Mom and StepDad or My Husbands Brothers have pets so I dont think they would like the dogs there. Now My Aunt on My side of the Family has dogs and wouldnt mind if we brought them but there are too many kids and people there and they could get hurt. They are fine at home and just sleep while we are gone __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

12-26-2006, 04:51 AM	#8
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	My girls stay home with my husband who can't go. They went absolutely crazy when I got home after being gone all day & all night.... poor babies......I love coming home to all that love but if people think dogs can't tell time - they're very wrong lol but I'd rather spend time with my family and enjoy them then have to worry about the kids with my girls - Christmas is too nuts in my family. So mine don't go. Normally my son has his weiner dogs so I got in the habit of leaving the girls...We don't need 4 small dogs running around with over 20 people in the house and I'm just plain too busy to keep an eye on them AND help with all the food and stuff. I would never forfeit time with my family - my decisions on when to take the girls are always based on WHO is there or what we're doing __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

12-25-2006, 09:26 PM	#1
JiggityJig YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TX Posts: 1,226	TRUTH THREAD---whose dog stayed home for Christmas?! This will probably make me unpopular, but I have to admit....I'm more than a little disturbed by ALL the threads by people who are choosing to STAY HOME from family Christmas get-togethers, over issues with their dogs. Our dogs are our BABIES, and the amount of enjoyment my husband and sons and I get from them just never ceases to amaze me. They have brought so much love and joy into our lives, and we can't imagine life without them now. But if I had to choose between spending Christmas with my mom, and Christmas with my dogs, I'd choose my mom. Heck, I'd even choose my MOTHER-IN-LAW ---cuz heck...that's what the holidays are about...being with our FAMILIES. And as much as we love our dogs, and as huge a part of our lives as they are...I just can't see where it would EVER be appropriate to put a pet before human relationships. Okay, that's my unpopular opinion #1. Number two....I would think the MAJORITY of holiday family get-togethers would be unsafe and stressful for our fur-babies, anyway. Over and over we read stories of puppies getting passed around too much, and dogs getting dropped, and family members feeding them people food, in spite of our requests otherwise...etc. Wouldn't it be MUCH less stressful for our dogs to be left at home in their familiar and safe environments, where they will most likely just snooze the entire time we're gone?! I realize it's sort of easy for me to say, since all my family is local, and I understand that people who have to travel have a MUCH harder choice to make. But I even think that then, leaving them in kennel care (as HARD as that would be ) would often be the much safer choice for our little ones. We had three different major family events to attend. The first was in a very small house where there isn't ever enough room for all the PEOPLE there....obviously the dogs stayed home. The second was at my Mom's house--the dogs all often visit her, are used to her house, and she adores them and doesn't care if they have accidents on her floor. It was just my little family and my mom and dad....so the dogs got to go. The last (today) was at a house where there were 20-30 people, and LOTS of little kids. Again, things are always very crowded and chaotic there, so it was a no-brainer to leave the dogs at home. Obviously I know that A LOT of people on the board disagree with me. But does anyone AGREE?! Come on....tell the truth....it doesn't make you a bad fur-mommy....did you leave your furbaby HOME for Christmas?! __________________ OUR HEARTS KIKI MAZIE JIMBOB ELFIE OUR JOYS

12-26-2006, 12:58 AM	#6
Shelby&Seymour "& Seeger, too" Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,169	Shelby & Seymour stayed at home yesterday. I am sure that they slept all afternoon ( we were gone 4 hours). After being up all morning with us, playing with new toys, it was a great break for them. When we got to my in-laws, everyone was expecting them....... but understood that they needed a rest ( and we didn't have to worry about them while we were there..... lots of people and they love to be underfoot!!!!) Of course, they were happy to see us back home!

12-26-2006, 05:09 AM	#9
frankie mum YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: australia Posts: 1,356	hi i left mine at home too.and they are ok .because they use to it.they got a lots of yummy thing.when i got back.. __________________ : nicki and emily

12-26-2006, 05:20 AM	#10
Ladyhawk YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,808	All my babies stayed home Christmas eve though my sister was nice enough to invite them. It's too hard to keep track of all four and two of them don't enjoy car rides. We did take the smallest one to Mom's for Christmas day. First thing she did was get all excited and poo in the entrance way! We're working on socialization for showing but it would have been easier to leave her home. They got presents and treats and they have each other for company. Besides it gives you a good reason to go home a bit earlier! __________________ Tami

12-26-2006, 05:26 AM	#11
magnolia YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,459	Well, since we spend every Thanksgiving and Christmas at my house and my family comes over, my babies are always with me on these holidays so I don't have to decide to leave them home or not. We do, however, travel for a week-end to visit my in-laws - sometimes we take them and sometimes my brother wants to "baby sit" for us....it just depends on him and his schedule. There are no longer any small children on my side of the family, they are all teenagers now. Hubby's side does have smaller children and I would NOT put my babies in a chaotic situation when they are around - there are 4, all under the age of 9 - and another one on the way - Gabby would go NUTS and, not really meaning to hurt, just to defend herself, might snap at one of them. So yes, I agree there are times when our furbabies need to remain in their own home where they feel safe, secure, and most of all, unthreatened. __________________ Suzi - mom to Gabby and Gage For Mickey

12-26-2006, 06:33 AM	#12
ditsy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 130	My unpopular confession is ... I take my dogs with me as an excuse to leave early But yeah, if I had family here in the states (I'm English, living in the states) then I'd have no problem leaving my pups at home for a few hours.

12-26-2006, 06:48 AM	#13
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,333	My baby rarely goes with me when I visit others. We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's (who lives just around the corner and down the street), but there were 20 people there along with her Great Pyranese, my brother's Pit (he lives with her) and their two cats. That is plenty enough animals and even they were locked up in a bedroom while everyone was there). Christmas day is pretty low-key. Only my daughter is here (my son moved to S. Carolina in November and didn't come home) and she spent the night. In the morning, we get up and open gifts then I make breakfast. After that, everyone gets showered and we go to the show. After the show, my daughter went to her boyfriend's family, the hubby and I went home and I made a small turkey breast half for dinner and we watched tv! and snuggled with Sissy!!!!! __________________ Sissy & Angel

12-26-2006, 07:02 AM	#14
Elisandra Rocky's Slave 4 ever Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Astoria, NY Posts: 1,607	I feel bad But i also left my baby home although it was only 7 adults and 1 child i didnt want him eating wrapping paper or running around with all the chaos of opening gifts. Although we opened up gifts early and by 11:30pm i was home so i got to spend it with my baby regardles and i hugged and kissed him and told him Merry 1st Christmas im sure he forgives me for leaving him. __________________ Lets put a end to Puppy Mills Proud member of the Little Gentleman's Club

12-26-2006, 07:16 AM	#15
margaritaville Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: west long branch, n.j. Posts: 4,457	We went to my sister's for Thanksgiving and the babies stayed home. Christmas eve and Christmas everyone was here (15 and 17 people) Bubba does very well with people and was all over the place and trying to encourage everyone into a tug of war with one toy or another but Sissy is very shy but friendly and spent most of her time being held by someone who wasn't cooking or helping. When there wasn't someone available she went in the crate and went to sleep. Neither one of them would eat those days but I think they some how or other got fed. Even though you ask people not to feed them food seems to get dropped and once these two get a taste of turkey they poke their noses up when you try to feed them dog food.