Awwwww, dear sweet mother-in-law.
Your puppy looks adorable in your avatar! When we owned our Westie, my mother-in-law was always wrinkling her nose at her and wouldn't even pet her. Finally, one day, I just flat ask her if she didn't like Madi?!! Her reply, "She's just not cute...pretty ugly actually."
I said, well, we think she's beautiful....especially your son that got her for me!" This coming from a woman that thinks that her Chi/Rat Terrier mix is gorgeous. No offense to those that own those two breeds....this particular dog is scary (looks and MEAN personality!). To each their own.
Maybe your mother-in-law is just trying to bug you....I think mine was.
Tammy