Originally Posted by Teiya (Post 2494630)

I have to agree with Karrie. If the relationship between you and your bf is serious and you think there might be a future, just leave Leo at home while you are visiting. While I know you love Leo, it is their house and just like you wouldn't want them bringing their cat with them to visit you, I don't think it's fair to expect them to just accept Leo. In the end, the rivalry you'd spawn isn't worth it. Lep will be fine for a few hours by himself.

Originally Posted by LDandPasquale (Post 2494940)

First off, i think the OP'er isnt asking to come over ....the bf's parents are inviting them. I think the OP'er would be just as happy staying at home with her little furbaby. The Bf's parents are WANTING them to come over to visit. Also, THEIR OWN CHILD is allergic to the cat. That being said......seems a bit selfish to me.
I'm a person that believes that what a person does now can effect the outcome of a later event. For instance, what happens if the OP'er and her bf get married and have a little baby? As we all know, some animals do not like babies....and as we can see this cat is a hunter. I would be fearful to bring a baby over there...so what will the inlaw do then? I mean she wont even put the cat in another room for THEIR OWN CHILD who is allergic.

Now as far as my dog being just a "PET". My Pasquale is NOT just a pet. To me he is my child. I do not have children due to reasons i wish not to discuss. However, my entire family and extended family (including my work) knows how much my dog means to me. So if anyone says something bad about him...they are going to get a mouthful back from me...including "little old ladies". Being older does not give anyone the excuse to being rude. Respect is respect and you do not lose that cause of age. Yes you forget things as you get older(usually events and names)...but you do not forget how to be respectful...UNLESS you were never respectful to begin with.

I would say calmly explain to your bf's parents that Leo is part of your life now and its a package deal now. Perhaps you can drop Leo off at your parents for the day and then sleep at your parents house at night. That way you are WITH Leo and your bf doesnt suffer with his allergies. And if you and your bf are serious and plan on getting married in the long run and having kids..i would ask them what their plans are for the cat when you bring your child over.

Hope it works out for you!!

Originally Posted by AF Diva (Post 2496011)

Word of advice: Don't mix the allergy and dog issues. They are separate. Your boyfriend can speak up for himself about his allergies. His parents are well aware of it.

The aunt may not have appreciated the dog pic as a gift and was letting you know not to do it again. I mean, why would she want a pic of a dog she doesn't know as a gift? Get her a gift certificate next time.

In the grand scheme of things, is this the hill you want to die on? Speak of it no more, go on your visits, sans pup, and let your boyfriend handle the cat/allergy issue. Stay out of it.

Originally Posted by manolos mom (Post 2494944)

His Great Aunt needs Lasic...

Originally Posted by TOY (Post 2494762)

Oh boy, why can I never act on the statement that "silence is golden"?

You did ask...what would you do and I see that many support your thoughts and feelings on the interaction.

I do not.

I would never presume to take my Yorkie or any other pet to another person's house unless it had been discussed and permission had been given. Quite frankly, many people are not pet people or have other tastes in pets than Yorkies or any dog for that matter. Obviously, these people have a pet cat. Unless you asked and were given the go-ahead to bring your Yorkie, it was inappropriate just like it would be inappropriate to take a six-pack into a home where you did not know if the residents were drinkers or had religious or other beliefs against drinking.

Quite frankly, I have friends with pets I don't like. They would never presume to bring their pets to my house unless it were a dire emergency and they needed me to help by watching their animals. Likewise, I would not impose my pet upon them.

You know your Yorkie is adorable. You do not need someone else's approval to believe this.

Little old ladies (great aunts) tend to say whatever comes into their mind much as little children do. Take offense? No, I would have laughed it off and said nothing. She probably doesn't even remember saying it. (I am assuming that the great aunt is aged. My great aunts were ancient...at least in their 90's and I never knew what they might say. It made holidays more interesting though but of course, we gave them our love and tolerance that they had earned and we overlooked their slips. As I said, they rarely remembered what they said.)

When all is said and done about our Yorkies, they are still dogs. We will love and spoil ours but I hope we never forget that she is a pet. Not everyone will love her as we do but she will be given the best we can afford yet she will not usurp the human relationships in our lives.

Perhaps I'm just following a different drumbeat here. Perhaps it's because I am older and had more life experiences...who knows? One thing I do know is that if owning a dog dilutes the values I was brought up to believe, I'd be better off not owning one. I want our Yorkie to broaden our outlook not cause us to have tunnel vision. It is totally unrealistic to think that all our friends will be as thrilled with our puppy as we will be.

We've never had 100% approval from all our friends on anything so to expect that we'd all agree on Yorkies is an exercise in futility...LOL However, when I really want an opinion from them, I know I'll get it if I ask. After all, that's what friends are for... to help you stay grounded when you veer off course.

Originally Posted by dwood (Post 2494640)

Thanks everybody. It makes me feel better to know that others would be upset about this also. I would always make an effort to spend time and talk with his mom, but because of the situation I don't go over there much anymore. If it bothers her enough to tell her son she wishes I didn't get Leo, then why couldn't she make an effort and put the cat up for the short time I am there?

It really makes Eric mad because he is allergic to the cat and he gets really sick being in the house. So even if they won't but the cat up for Leo, you would think they would put it up for him, right?

Yorkielove1...here is the picture of Leo in my avatar:
Attachment 267426

Originally Posted by bellableu (Post 2496468)

Dwood - is the avatar a picture of Leo as a baby? I notice the pic you gave to the relative at xmas was a silver/tan. I'm asking because my little girl is 14 weeks and is black and tan but has gray roots on her head. I'm wondering if that means she'll grow up to be a silver/tan...

Thanks!
BellaBleu's Mom

Originally Posted by dwood (Post 2494580)

I live my boyfriend (Eric) and he loves Leo as much as I do. His family on the other hand, doesn't feel the same way...

The first time I brought Leo to their house he was 3 or 4 months old...and their cat scratched his eye. This whole episode cost me atleast $300. My parents have cats also but they are friendly and are really more scared or uninterested in Leo. This cat will scale the walls hunting for Leo.

Needless to say I don't take Leo over there very often because they refuse to put the cat up. Even if we are eating dinner I have had to eat with Leo on my lap because the cat will try to come after him.

Eric's dad said that it is his house, why should he have to put the cat up. This is true which is why I just try to avoid going over there because it is stressful for me and Leo. His mom doesn't like this because now I don't come over there like I used to.

So, she told Eric that she wished I had never gotten Leo. When he told me this it really upset me. I mean how could anyone not love Leo?

As if that wasn't enough...at Christmas I gave his grandma a picture of Leo and she thought it was really cute and passed it around. Eric's great aunt was looking at it and to my face said ... "he is an ugly little thing isn't he". WHAT the heck?! Here is the picture:
Attachment 267425

This really bothers both of us, because Leo is my baby ... what would you do?:confused: