Messy pets lead to doghouse
Dear Abby: When my daughter and her family come to visit, they are very messy. They have a 3- and a 4-year-old and two large, long-haired dogs. I can deal with the children’s messiness — but the dogs, no.
I agreed to let them bring their dogs if they cleaned up after them, but it hasn’t happened. The dogs shed terribly. The hair needs to be vacuumed daily. They don’t practice it at home and don’t do it here, even after being told the dog hair is everywhere in my house.
We are 70 and active, but a lot of cleaning must be done when they leave. I especially don’t like it around food. I told my husband I have decided to tell them they can no longer bring their dogs here. He goes around and tries to clean up after them so I won’t get upset instead of letting them take responsibility. He says he’s afraid they will quit coming.
Abby, they don’t pick up after themselves at all. In their home, clothes are thrown everywhere on the floor. They are in their 40s and should know better. I feel they have no respect for us or the way we choose to live. Must I keep my mouth shut to keep the peace, like my husband says? I told him to speak up, but he won’t. This is physically and emotionally wearing on me. — Drained In Pennsylvania Dear Drained: How your daughter and son-in-law choose to live in their own home is their business, as long as the disarray doesn’t endanger the health of their children. Because you agreed to let them bring their dogs over on the condition that they vacuum up any hair their animals shed and they failed to comply, you are within your rights to tell them their pets must be left at home. Your house, your conditions. Messy grandchildren, yes. Messy dogs, no.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips. Contact her at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
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