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

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 :D---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. :p

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. :rolleyes: 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. :rolleyes: 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?! :D

Ok I do agree with you BUT I do consider my PET my FAMILY and you are right I wouldn't pick Bailey over my "human Family" but I still CARE a great deal about his well being but I do understand where you are coming from because I WOULD NEVERRRRRRR EVERRRRR EVERRRRR put my pup in the situation he was in the past 2 days I feel terrible!! But what I can say is I am with you on leaving my pup home for some of the holidays until he is bigger and I think he can handle it ;) And for people who do not go see family i.e. parents because of there dogs to me are acting crazy because for Pete's sake THATS YOUR PARENTS YOU ONLY GET ONE SET (and don't give me that "well you only get one dog" crap ITS YOUR PARENTS!!) But I don't think there are alot of people that don't go see their family because of there dog ARE THERE???? You are not a bad fur mommy :thumbup:

We almost brought Lacey with us to my Mother In Law's last night.
I am so glad we decided to leave her at home. Her house is not that big and with the whole family there it was completely packed.
My Sister in Law brought two of her Mini Schnauzers and my MIL's Mini Schnauzer was also there. I do know if I brought Lacey that she would get along fine with the other dogs, just didn't know how she would react to the chaos (We've only had her a few weeks). I am glad we didn't take her.
It was udder chaos. I would have had to watch her like a hawk. I am sure she was completely comfortable at home with our other dogs.

(off topic!)

Desert Dogs, Lacey in your avatar made me check out your dogster pages. God BLESS you for rescuing!!! What a great looking crew you have there, and I bet Lacey will be a beauty once she gets a little more weight and hair back on her. :p What a sweet face!!!

(When we saw the OESs on the dog show on TV, we were laughing and saying that that's what Kiki THINKS she looks like! She has a thick cotton coat and when her hair is all messy it hangs in her face like that--and that's how big she THINKS she is! ;) :D)

I agree with you -- common sense often dictates leaving our babies at home. They are often more comfortable and safer at home. And human families should always come first. Of course we love our furkids, but not over real family members!

We left our 4 at home. I am sure I could have taken one or two but to take 4 would be too big of an imposition on any gathering! I figured it would be hectic enough with all the company that the pups would not have enjoyed the visit. So, why put them through it? Just to show them off? No, I think they were very happy to stay home with their new toys. Mine do have each other so they are not that lonely with us gone for a few hours (although you would think so when we come home and are greeted like long lost loves). But even if I had just one -- I would have left her at home.

We had a wonderful morning that included the dogs. We had a wonderful family visit at my sister's. Then we came back home to our dogs again. So I do not think they were neglected and they were safe from dozens of feet, and excess handling. They were comfortable in their own home, with their own beds, and their own peace and quiet. No one else had our pets forced upon them and all were happy.

Shelby & Seymour stayed at home yesterday. I am sure that they slept all afternoon ( we were gone 4 hours). After being up all morning with us, playing with new toys, it was a great break for them. When we got to my in-laws, everyone was expecting them....... but understood that they needed a rest ( and we didn't have to worry about them while we were there..... lots of people and they love to be underfoot!!!!)
Of course, they were happy to see us back home!:aimeeyork

Chachi and Jewels stay home when we visit Family. Neither His Mom and StepDad or My Husbands Brothers have pets so I dont think they would like the dogs there. Now My Aunt on My side of the Family has dogs and wouldnt mind if we brought them but there are too many kids and people there and they could get hurt. They are fine at home and just sleep while we are gone

My girls stay home with my husband who can't go. They went absolutely crazy when I got home after being gone all day & all night.... poor babies......I love coming home to all that love but if people think dogs can't tell time - they're very wrong lol

but I'd rather spend time with my family and enjoy them then have to worry about the kids with my girls - Christmas is too nuts in my family. So mine don't go.

Normally my son has his weiner dogs so I got in the habit of leaving the girls...We don't need 4 small dogs running around with over 20 people in the house and I'm just plain too busy to keep an eye on them AND help with all the food and stuff.

I would never forfeit time with my family - my decisions on when to take the girls are always based on WHO is there or what we're doing

hi
i left mine at home too.and they are ok .because they use to it.they got a lots of yummy thing.when i got back..:aimeeyork

All my babies stayed home Christmas eve though my sister was nice enough to invite them. It's too hard to keep track of all four and two of them don't enjoy car rides. We did take the smallest one to Mom's for Christmas day. First thing she did was get all excited and poo in the entrance way! We're working on socialization for showing but it would have been easier to leave her home. They got presents and treats and they have each other for company. Besides it gives you a good reason to go home a bit earlier!

Well, since we spend every Thanksgiving and Christmas at my house and my family comes over, my babies are always with me on these holidays so I don't have to decide to leave them home or not. We do, however, travel for a week-end to visit my in-laws - sometimes we take them and sometimes my brother wants to "baby sit" for us....it just depends on him and his schedule. There are no longer any small children on my side of the family, they are all teenagers now. Hubby's side does have smaller children and I would NOT put my babies in a chaotic situation when they are around - there are 4, all under the age of 9 - and another one on the way - Gabby would go NUTS and, not really meaning to hurt, just to defend herself, might snap at one of them. So yes, I agree there are times when our furbabies need to remain in their own home where they feel safe, secure, and most of all, unthreatened.

My unpopular confession is ...

I take my dogs with me as an excuse to leave early :(


But yeah, if I had family here in the states (I'm English, living in the states) then I'd have no problem leaving my pups at home for a few hours.

My baby rarely goes with me when I visit others. We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's (who lives just around the corner and down the street), but there were 20 people there along with her Great Pyranese, my brother's Pit (he lives with her) and their two cats. That is plenty enough animals and even they were locked up in a bedroom while everyone was there).

Christmas day is pretty low-key. Only my daughter is here (my son moved to S. Carolina in November and didn't come home) and she spent the night. In the morning, we get up and open gifts then I make breakfast. After that, everyone gets showered and we go to the show. After the show, my daughter went to her boyfriend's family, the hubby and I went home and I made a small turkey breast half for dinner and we watched tv! and snuggled with Sissy!!!!!

I feel bad
 

But i also left my baby home although it was only 7 adults and 1 child i didnt want him eating wrapping paper or running around with all the chaos of opening gifts. Although we opened up gifts early and by 11:30pm i was home so i got to spend it with my baby regardles and i hugged and kissed him and told him Merry 1st Christmas im sure he forgives me for leaving him.;)

We went to my sister's for Thanksgiving and the babies stayed home. Christmas eve and Christmas everyone was here (15 and 17 people) Bubba does very well with people and was all over the place and trying to encourage everyone into a tug of war with one toy or another but Sissy is very shy but friendly and spent most of her time being held by someone who wasn't cooking or helping. When there wasn't someone available she went in the crate and went to sleep. Neither one of them would eat those days but I think they some how or other got fed. Even though you ask people not to feed them food seems to get dropped and once these two get a taste of turkey they poke their noses up when you try to feed them dog food.

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.