Pets as Houseguests

[Gryphon]

For Petowners...do you "invite" your pets along when you are a houseguest?
For hosts--do you mind when people bring their pets with them?

(Theres a story here, Ill share it in a bit)

[Bo D]

We NEVER, EVER take Brutus along without the host's permission.

On the other hand, pets are always welcome at my house.

[followsthewolf]

We NEVER, EVER take Brutus along without the host's permission.

On the other hand, pets are always welcome at my house.

Same here, Bo D.

The only thing I worry about is pet compatibility.

Don't want any horror stories originating in my house.

[Gryphon]

Heres the thing...
I dont have any pets. I was going to host a family thanksgiving get together....talked about it for several months...
The sister and her other half wanted to bring "Patches" their lab-sized medium length haired dog. I told them Id rather they didnt. They said they didnt like to board her. So I reconsidered and told them she could have the garage and Id move a car outside (quite an offer from me, and the garage is conditioned...)
the answer "I cant believe you'd have your niece sleep in the garage!" Whoa...Nelly...you might think Patches is your child, but no way do I consider it my niece. What do you want, me to give Patches the master bedroom so she can soak in the tub after turkey dinner? LOL
So, needless to say, they didnt come...
the kicker is...two weeks after we had this talk, they went on vacation. And where was Patches for a week? At the kennel.

[damfast]

My son and his wife have a huge home, and they have three dogs.
A collie, a golden retriever, and a labrador retriever.
Two of the dogs have long hair, one has short.
They all weigh over 60 lbs.
They fill up a room.

One year they came for a week, and I let them bring the dogs.  I had to: steam clean my floors, steam clean my furniture, pick landmines out of my yard before I could mow, and I had to bomb the house.

NO MORE.

[Sunny]

I ride the fence with this one, Gryphon, but I certainly would never impose my cat onto anyone (nor do I treat her as a child). Same as FTW, I hesitate to have other pets into the home due to possible harm onto them (vicious cat she is!)...

However, my MIL refuses to board her golden retriever as well...so, as I type this, I am aware that we will be expecting the both of them next week. *sigh*

Ultimately, it's YOUR home...your rules.

[Gryphon]

well thats sort of what I was afraid of...
their dog is one that I know from past experience, pees when it gets "Excited" and messes "cause shes confused" (at least thats happened everytime theyve brought it to my parents). Not to mention, it sits and begs for food anytime anyone is eating...

And I thought I was being accomodating to offer the garage to the dog...but I guess not.

[followsthewolf]

Gryphon:

Obviously, they were going to impose on you to save a few  $$$.

Damfast:

I would have had absolutely NO compunction about setting things straight immediately.

Being a good host(ess) is one thing; having your home trashed is another.

[Gryphon]

I even offered to pay for the boarding...
I think they were just offended that I didnt see their little darling as part of the family...

[followsthewolf]

I think you're right.

As much as I love my pets, I do NOT expect others to put up with them in their homes.

[tootallannie]

I take my dogs with me because I'm cheap. They're chihauhaus so aren't much of a problem. Everyone thinks they're so cute and wants them to sit on their laps. And I welcome pet visitors too. Even my friend's dog, Puffie, aka the dog with no brain.

[Sandy Eggo]

I suggest you take Hissy with you and visit Brandon. LOL You know what, he'd be more than welcome at my house. My dog hasn't ever been around cats, but the few times she has, she hasn't realized they're supposed to be natural enemies. LOL

I look at pets kind of like children, in the sense that if someone visits with a pet, there's going to be extra mess to clean and I don't mind. Although, the visiting pets have to follow the same rules that mine do. No pets on the furniture or in the kitchen. I have a gate that I don't need for my dog, because she knows the rule, but if someone visits with a pet then I can pop it in. I don't take my dog unless invited.

[Gryphon]

well, a few years back I would never have hesitated to have anyone come with pets...
but some old friends came for the weekend with their adorable shit-zoo puppy. (*purposely misspelled to indicate the true nature of this beast). Cute as it was, it chewed up the corner of the guest room dresser, chewed up a coffee table book my late grandmother had given me, and had a very messy "accident"

[SoccerMom]

My mother in law has a boxer and a miniature schnauzer that she totes along to my house with every visit...when both of my cats were alive, we would have to put them in our bedroom, along with their food and litter box, as they were both terrified of her two dogs. It wasn't a fair deal for them at all, but we were trying our best to be good hosts.

She actually had the nerve to call her other son and tell him to board HIS dog for a weekend, so that she could bring HER dogs to his house. Now is that crazy, or what?? 

[Gryphon]

yes it is...
Next time I buy a house, I'm going to have a sunroom or something with a tile floor for pets...
of course, my sisters dog was too good for the garage, so they probably wont want it sleeping anywhere with that much light. LOL