I don't leave my dog alone home for a long ESPECIALLY in crate....
I even have just bought a stroller
for a very long day trip when she can get tired.
My parents think that I raise a child, not a dog
, but.... they never told me that I don't have a life because of her...Plus, I wouldn't let to anybody tell something like that to me...So they can tell something like that about others
However, from my experience, MOST of the people think same way as your niece.
If any person with dog
all the time, including travel, or - no vacation because she cannot find a responsible sitter or just afraid to leave dog (that's me
) she is called bad words like crazy lady, stupid, she doesn't have a life, she probably doens't have anything to do, doesn't have children/husband. WHATEVER. It IS stupid to
think that way. IMXO.