Background: my MIL goes away with her BF for 2+ Weeks at a time and leaves her dog home alone. She has an elementary school girl come over once a day to feed the dog. Otherwise the dog is alone for weeks at a time. She is usually gone 2+ weeks on a trip and then will be home for a few days before leaving again. Is it just me or is this awful? I feel so bad for this dog, I want to do something but I know it would ruin my relationship with MIL.
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Yes, that is terrible. I don't even understand why someone like that would have a dog.
Can you help watch the dog while she's gone? I don't know what else you can say so that she wouldn't get upset, but that is animal abuse. -
If she has the money to go away so often, do you think she has the money to put the dog in a kennel so at least it will be fed, walked and socialised regularly? Can you point her in the direction of one nearby?
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Yes I think that is sad :(.. How does the dog get cared for in terms of pee/poo and spending time outside? Sorry, you are in a tough spot
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Uhhh, that's awful! Dogs are pack animals, they aren't "programmed" to be alone like that all of the time. Your MIL really needs to consider rehoming that poor pup.
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As a dog lover, this makes me so sad! Maybe you can suggest she get a dog walker? What kind of personality does the dog have?
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Yes. That poor dog.
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@LAZB: I live in DC and she lives in Ga. I've considered just picking up the dog and taking it to leave with us.
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@mauxie: she goes in the house. The house reeks of urine.
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@illumina: excellent question
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Poor puppy!! What are you considering doing?
Eta: just saw you answered that.
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@Leah: taking the dog myself. I already have 2 dogs and a 2 year old and soon to be newborn. So, I'm not sure DH would agree.
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That's awesome of you! Do you think she would be offended if you offered to? Maybe you can put it in a way like you guys want a pet for your family and would love hers since you/your LO is already familiar with it/its temperament, etc; instead of let us take your dog since you don't care for it, sort of thing
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@BandDmommy: ohhhh you already have 2 dogs, and soon to be 2 LOs. props to you for even considering it!
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@mauxie: I've been trying to get her to rehome the dog as well. It breaks my heart...
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I wouldn't even do that to a cat and cats are usually totally fine being left at home for longer periods of time!
Poor dog.
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@BandDmommy: that's a lot to take on! That's very sweet of you!
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That's awful, animals need socialization too!
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I don't ever make my dog be alone for more than the length of a workday. And I wouldn't make my dog stay alone an entire weekend with just a quick visit for food, much less for 2 weeks. She'd be miserable.
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Poor dog! I would never just leave it alone at home like that!
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to give the benefit of the doubt maybe her dog has a very particular temperament and set of needs where this is okay, but i could not imagine doing this myself and am really really sad to hear that this happens. poor pup.
ETA: how does your husband feel about the situation?
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That is really sad. It needs more than just to be fed!
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@edelweiss: It's a lap dog. My husband said "it's disappointing." The hard thing is how to handle it without offending his mom.
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Oh dear, yes I think this is really sad!
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Wow, that's neglect.
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That is awful. I feel guilty leaving mine home alone for a work day just twice a week!! Maybe frame it as doing your MIL a favour first and see how that works?
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Yikes, that definitely makes me sad. I feel bad leaving my cats for a few days, and they don't need anywhere near as much attention as dogs! Poor thing
Have you suggested rehoming? If so, how did she take it? I do think that would be best for everyone.
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That makes me super sad, i feel she should give her dog to someone who will stay and appreciate the pup.
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@BandDmommy: oh. this makes me want to adopt it myself (DH would strongly disagree). we have 2 lap dogs (pugs) and cannot imagine leaving them that way. let us know what you decide. this is a tough one.
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Horrendous! That poor animal! Breaks my heart.
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It's not just sad, it's neglect. A dog needs to be let out more than once a day, and they're such social creatures. It would make me really upset and angry for sure.
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Yes, that is neglect! That poor dog! Aside from the fact that it's alone nearly 24/7 (dogs are pack animals and humans become their pack!) it is kind of inhumane to "force" the dog to go to the bathroom in the house. I mean, I know some people use those puppy pee pads, but where does it poop??
I hope you can seriously figure out a way to either take the dog or to convince her to rehome it...
What if you couched it really nicely, like "You're just traveling so much, it must be hard to make arrangements for the dog and we'd love to add him to our family if that would be easier for you!" ??
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I think maybe you could ask her if she's ever considered rehoming... you could say that you've really been wanting a lapdog (or have a friend who really wants one), and you know she travels a lot and probably feels guilty about leaving the dog (even if she doesn't feel guilty, maybe this will be a hint that she should???).
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That's messed up! The dog only goes to the bathroom every 24 hours?! We have left our dog (free roam of house) for 12 hours a few times in emergencies and felt horrible!
I would report her! I'd report it if it was a child and I put dogs on a level very close to a child.
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Yes! This is so sad, completely breaks my heart. Poor dog
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Poor dog. My ILs used to have a dog who was given up because the owners were never home. That dog had *serious* (separation) anxiety issues!
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I wish I didn't open the thread because the poor dog is neglected. Dogs need the opportunity to get fresh air and walk/ run everyday outside.
Can you offer to keep the dog when she's on vacation?
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Totally agree. I keep thinking about it now and it hurts my heart. I cannot imagine doing that to my dog!
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Ah, so sad! I feel guilty on long work days when our dog is alone for 9ish hours! We totally treat him like a family member! Poor dog
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: only issue is she lives 10 hours away and she goes on vacation every other month.
Uhhh, that's awful! Dogs are pack animals, they aren't "programmed" to be alone like that all of the time. Your MIL really needs to consider rehoming that poor pup.
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42 comments