TRUTH THREAD---whose dog stayed home for Christmas?!

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by JiggityJig

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?!

Finally...a voice of reason that isn't afraid to speak up! Yes, we left the boyz home because it was in their best interest. We went to our son's house 85 miles away, everyone there smokes except us, there are several small children and pre teens running around and in and out plus 2 large dogs. Way too much going on to throw my boys in the middle of it and had I brought them I wouldn't have been able to relax and enjoy my holiday with family. Yes, my boyz are part of my family too and that makes it my job to use my good judgement to protect them and I feel that busy holiday get togethers are no place for 2 tiny dogs to be running around. I wonder how many people would be this upset or offended if they were invited to an adults only party and had to leave their children at home?

[dcelmo]

I think we just need to use some common sense on these matters. I went to my parents, who love my 2 dogs. But all the family were there and we had kids everywhere (6 kids under 6). With all the running in and out, I would have been scared to death that one of my babies would have gotten out, and run away. Also my parents are in their late 70"s and my dad has had a couple of strokes. He is not real steady on his feet and I have 2 puppies, 14 months and 5 months. So it was in everyones best interest for them to wait for us at home where they are safe, warm and happy. My sister-in-law did bring her new puppy s**tz-szu, but kept her in her kennel for fear of someone hurting her. We can love our dogs and love our families, too. I don't know how much time I have left with my parents so I choose to spend all the time I can with them. Chewie and Karma love Nana & Papa too.

[Kodak]

I stayed home with mines, but I would've taken him out had I left. This way if I got put out of a relatives house, they can't say I didn't make an appearance. When I have to leave, my mom watches him.

[TootiesMom]

Mine stay at home on holidays... it is CRAZY enough with all the humans around, and my furbabies get too nervous around all the ruccus...Hopey shakes the entire time. Tootie tinkles everywhere and Tinker barks at everyone, Laci is bigger than a human and poor ole TBone would have a heart attack.. LOL I do bring them places, just not where there is alot of action going on... it makes them miserable, me miserable and all I think about is bringing them home...
they are happy together and we get to have a party when I get home... hehe

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by JiggityJig

...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.

I also agree with your third point, oh wise woman!

[Gingergirlsmom]

Well, all of the small children on my side are grown up, yet haven't started families of their own and our get togethers tend to be really laid back (my dogs are the only animals) so, yes, when celebrating Christmas with my family, they go, and get the most presents (In all honesty, my parents and siblings probably wouldn't recognize me without a dog at my feet)

Of course, late afternoon when we leave my family to go have Christmas with my husband's the dogs stay home.

Common sense should dictate, and no, the dogs should not come before spending time with family.

[wnturner]

I took her with us this time because we were driving and my mother inlaw calls her her grand puppy. So from maryland to florida we drove . Now if we go on vacation she stays w/ my parents and if were leaving for no more then 2 nights she stays at home. She's not a baby she 5 years old in human years so in dog years she very capable of staying by herself. Sorry I know some may disagree. But it works for our family.

[Bama Yorkie Mom]

I totally agree with Jiggety Jig. I dont have parents to visit anymore so to me, I would leave my dogs anywhere to get to spend one more Christmas with my parents. I come from a big family. I've lost 1 brother and 2 sisters already and a daughter. Some might not realize how special family is until you lose some of them but You do find out they are more important than your dog. I hope it don't take losing someone to find that out. I love my dogs also. I have my own Christmas at home with my kids, but I have two sisters that live up the road, one of them has 3 dogs at her house, I have a brother that travels all over the country but they were here this year. they have one yorkie. But none of them brought their dogs to my house for xmas but my grand daughter whom I told her she could. I have a fenced yard and it wasnt too cold for them outside and my dogs and her dog had fun playing and my grandson and my sisters grand daughter had fun playing with the dogs outside. then before everyone left someone let the dogs in and it was ok too but that was as everyone was leaving. We love our dogs but that dont mean everybody else has to love them as I dont love other peoples dogs and I'm glad they all didnt bring theirs as none of us takes ours to visit each other anyway. We had a great Christmas. we visited my sisters family party and then of course we had one last night for just us 3 sisters and 1 brother and their spouses. their was no dogs nor children. so actually we were at 4 christmas parties and enjoyed them all tho our dogs were at home the whole time. they were just as well off when we got home as when we left them , just happy to see us. To me the dogs should only go to peoples houses when they know its ok to bring them and most people know where their dogs are welcome and where their not. But I dont feel like they should take offense as just because you love your dog it dont mean everybody else does. Family comes first and foremost in my life. But if my son and his kids didnt come just because their dog couldnt I would feel like they sure didnt care much about us. I would truly be hurt to the bone and offended to think a DOG came before me with my family. I just hope everyone had a good Christmas. We did and so did our dogs. they got presents from my grand daughter and her dog got one from us, but it was done at MY HOUSE where they were welcome to bring him. I have pictures of my dogs opening their presents from them and from us. but I waited until last for them to open the ones from them and they opened ours before everyone got here. It all worked out great. My son nor my grand daughter would never think about not coming to see us just because their dog couldnt come and I wouldnt think twice to leave my dogs at home to go where ever I had to go to be with them. I guess we're all just different.

[miezzi]

Originally Posted by Cheska's Bella

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.

Oh gosh, was someone there with your little one? If not, I hope someone came to check on her while you were gone. 31 hours is an awefully long time to leave a dog by themselves.....

[Jenn218]

Mojo stayed home for one family Christmas we had, but he went to the other two. All of our families are pretty close, so we never have to travel far. He stayed home for the one because they have it at an old community building in a small town that is kind of central for everyone and plus, there are like 100 kids and people, so a small dog would not do good there. The other two were at my inlaws house and my parents house.

[JiggityJig]

I wonder how many people would be this upset or offended if they were invited to an adults only party and had to leave their children at home?

Another good point! Just because our doglettes are our BABIES doesn't mean that makes it appropriate to take them EVERYWHERE, just like occasionally we'll go places without our skin-babies....rated R movies, nice restaurants, etc.

I've known people who QUIT WORK because they felt like it was their responsibility to stay home and be with their dogs. Meanwhile, they worked all through raising HUMAN kids, and it never bothered them. ??????

I'm not trying to be a big ole curmudgeon with this thread, but occasionally I read or hear things that make me think that, as obsessed yorkie owners (which we all are! ) we can sometimes use a little dose of PRIORITIES and PERSPECTIVE. So thanks for adding some of your own common sense, and not burning me at the YT stake!

[TatumsMom]

Originally Posted by JiggityJig

I'm not trying to be a big ole curmudgeon with this thread, but occasionally I read or hear things that make me think that, as obsessed yorkie owners (which we all are! ) we can sometimes use a little dose of PRIORITIES and PERSPECTIVE. So thanks for adding some of your own common sense, and not burning me at the YT stake!

I love my Tatum and I love my family. My family loves her too but there are times when it's just not in her best interest to be around so many people. I've read numerous posts just today about yorkies being injured while being surrounded by so many people. We are all sympathetic when that happens and yes, it can happen ANY time but we should be smart enough to know when to share our babies and when to go visit family without them.

[JillandJack]

Christmas Eve the family gathering was at our house. Thirteen people and two grandchildren. They are all used to being around our Yorkie family. My biggest fear were the guests arrivals and departures with the front door open. So we took extra precautions to make sure no one would escape. All turned out well. After awhile I brought the three to the back of the house and secured them for some much needed rest. They rejoined us later and the evening was wonderful.

I had their best interest at heart on Christmas day to leave them home in a quite and safe environment while we went for the afternoon. Didn't have to worry at all about them and was able to enjoy the family.

I don't know about the rest of you but our routine has been upset for the last few weeks with all the shopping, baking, cooking and cleaning. My three weren't getting the lap time they so enjoy (so do I) and they let me know it. Today was back to normal though. We even took a nap...it was monkey pile, or should I say yorkie pile on mom!

[Goldielocks19]

Both my furbabies came out with us :-)
Everyone knows they are our kids...and if i have to put up with their bratty kids...then my 2 lil precious babies come too.
and 99% of the time...my babies act better than their kids and even half the adults!!!

[stedmansmommy]

Nope, The Stedster stayed home I wouldn't DARE bring him over to OUR family Christmases! LOL - they are very loud, crazy, and chaotic! We have ALOT of people in my family (including ALOT of kids) and I don't know HOW many things got knocked over - pictures got knocked off the wall, kids crying because "she did this to him - and he did this to her" - NOPE - never, never, NEVER!!! I could have predicted it - Stedman would have been squished.

BUT OF COURSE - the first thing when I walk in - "WHERE'S STEDMAN??? WHY DIDN'T YOU BRING STEDMAN??? OH, YOU SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT STEDMAN!!!" - nope Noooo thanks!

My husband and I do our own little "Christmas" here at the house, by ourselves, in our cozy home, WITH Stedman on Christmas Eve. We all opened our presents together and played Christmas music by the fire - it was nice...and Stedman really enjoyed it (especially his new Bully Stick ) And of course when we went to be with the entire family on Christmas day - we made sure to leave Stedman lotsa toys, his new chair that he LOVES, and of course "A Christmas Story" on t.v. to make sure that he was still in the Christmas Spirit when we returned home Gotta leave him a Christmas move on to watch! LOL