I agree - 100% - with both points!

I was going to leave Lillie home yesterday, we went to my moms house, but my kids threw a fit and promised to help watch her, so we took her. I'm glad we did, everyone enjoyed her and she looked so sweet in her santa dress. But I did leave early, and came back later that evening and she stayed home, she was so tired. I do concider Lillie just like my human daughter, call me crazy, my husband does lol

I had Christmas at my house for the first time and Cali was pretty overwhelmed and spent most of the time laying on my bed away from the commotion. I had 3 people in their late 80's and I made sure that anytine thye needed to get up that the dogs were not underfoot. When I use to go to my parents I left the dog/dogs at home unless they were too young as I would be gone for 6 hours. My dogs seem to prefer to be in their own environment and don't really know it's a Holiday as they get treated like a Holiday everyday!!!lol So for me it is easier on everone if they are left at home.

my dogs are my family & to me they come first

Riley came with us to visit both my brother & sister's house. They both have dogs, so they exchange doggie presents. Riley was pretty tired after a few hours, so we dropped her off at home before we went to a late Christmas lunch at a friend's house. We all enjoyed our Christmas Day.

I also agree on both points. Tink had to travel with me the weekend before Christmas when my family celebrated but she stayed in her crate in the guest room away from all the children and stress. Indy was sick and had to stay at the vet's. Neither of them would have done well with the stress and my family is hours away from me. I love my babies, but my human family comes first.

HA! Ain't that the truth! :D

And that's another point I was thinking...even if we consider our dogs members of our family (which we do...)

...who is going to be hurt more by us being away from them on holidays and special occasions? Grandma? or our pets? Obviously the answer would be our human family members.

Our Christmas was pretty low key - we just went to my bf's parents house for the day. We go to their house VERY often and Kona and Bernie always come with us. Kona is very used to the house because she stays there when my bf and I go on vacation! There were a total of 6 of us in the house and 3 dogs total. Kona and Bernie had to go considereing they had stockings and gifts waiting for them.



But I would NOT skip out with my family just because my dogs couldn't go. I love Kona and Bernie dearly, but I also love my family.

I Second The Message, Family Is First.. Ginger Pontlitz

I agree with the original poster! I love my dogs like my family too, but accept it, everyone doesn't. and we can't make them. Some of my family don't want the dogs in their house. Alright, it's their house. I'm not going to not go because I can't bring the dogs. In truth, I very rarely bring them anywhere. They're perfectly happy staying at home chewing on toys and playing than being stressed out with a million people they've never seen before.

I left the girls home while we were at my cousins for dinner....we picked up the girl and brought them to my parents for Christmas supper....Although my cousin wouldn't mind me bringing the girls I just think it's too much action for them...they aren't used to alot of noise and (more Sadie than Lillie) gets nervous with alot of people around..I mean there were 33 people at my cousins house!! I am more worried about them getting stepped on or picked up and dropped than anything else..My parents adore my girls and enjoy them when I bring them over..

My 3 stayed home sunday night for a few hours because they like it that way, Mine really dont like to go to other peoples houses for very long, now if it were outside they would love it. I took them one time to spend the night with my mother and they kept me awake all night whining because it wasnt home and it wasnt there big bed we were in. Mine love their own home and their own bed. They like to visit for about 10minutes then they are ready to go.

I am in San Francisco and yes, I had to leave my furbabies home with my hubby. He did not have vacation time and so he opted to stay home. It is my mom's 75th birthday and her wish was to spend it with all her children. I consider my furbabies my family and if it was a party I needed to go locally I will definitely bring them. But flying them is very expensive and since I have my beloved hubby home, I know they will be just fine being there.

Oftentimes, I would prefer to host at home just so I don't have to leave them behind.

We were gone from 2:30 Sunday, and came home last night around 10:30, so about 31 hours. I hate leaving her home alone (well, with the cats) but my nephew is severly allergic to animals and he was staying w/my parents.

She seemed to do fine and nothing was destroyed when we returned. She was just really happy to see us. :D

While our girls love to go places with us, I do respect that not everyone is a dog/animal lover and therefore do not believe in forcing the girls on those people.

Yesterday we went to my great aunts house and it is very tiny and she already has my cousin and her 3 kids living with her....so add 3 more adults and we were almost sitting on top of each other.....there is no way I would take all three of our pups with us....not to mention the 3 kids are not around pets daily and do not know how to handle them correctly....so it was in the pups best interest to stay home.

On the other hand is my grandparents - while my grandpa loves pets - my grandmother can not stand any pets and makes it very clear. We are traveling down to Harlington - 10 hour trip - to see them for a few days. I (and my parents) do not want to force the girls on my grandma, but also refuse to board them for a week. So we found a solution that works for us.....my dad went and visited several local "doggie day care" options for us last February and found one that used in March we went traveled down that way. We were very pleased with this place and therefore we have booked in advance a place for our girls this week while we are there. So the girls will stay at doggie day care during the day (and last time they got spoiled with the staff playing with them, holding them and keeping them up front - a couple of the staff have yorkies) and then at night the girls stay at the dog friendly hotel with us. My grandma was grateful that we worked something that works for everyone....and even let us come back to their rv park in the evening and we would all go on a long walk while visiting and enjoying each others company, but allowing the girls to get some needed exercise and attention!! (The new pup - Captain - is not old enough to even think about staying at doggie day care - therefore his breeder has agreed to let him come back and stay with them while we are gone. It will be sad to leave him, but I know in my heart it is the best place for him to be!)

My girls are my children and I treat them as such, but I accept that not everyone agrees with this and I can not force my beliefs on them - nor change their opinions.