Who Invited the Dog?
By JOYCE WADLER and ABBY AGUIRRE
December 13, 2007
IT was a dark and stormy night actually four stormy nights when Jayme Otto, 31, and her husband, Ryan Otto, 33, drove 1,200 miles from their home in Boulder, Colo., to her parents house in Cleveland for Christmas.
"We traveled all this way to bring our yellow Labrador, Cody Bear, home to spend time with his grandparents, Ms. Otto said, grandparents being dog-person-speak for her parents.
Besides wanting Cody Bear to participate in his favorite yearly activity of unwrapping gifts and destroying all the boxes, as Ms. Otto put it, they wanted the dog to meet her brothers fiancée
But on Christmas morning, a commotion ensued: the fiancée was allergic to dogs and broke out in hives. The dog was banished to the guest bedroom and we were unable to share our Christmas morning with Cody Bear, Ms. Otto said bitterly.
The family blowup between my brother and I over the dog resulted in my mother not speaking to me for two months and my brother for four. This Christmas will mark the first time that the Ottos will not be returning home.
Where, one might ask at times like these, are the elegantly embossed cards people really need, ones reading: I cant believe I could have been so insensitive. Or better yet, I cant believe you could have been so insensitive.
They might also include a sketch of a sophisticated, well-traveled pet. Something for an animal that understands, even if others do not, that it is a valued family member. And of course a handwritten note, the tone bemused but firm.
Rex is truly sorry he sent Granny to the emergency room with the oxygen mask, but it isnt like anyone told me she was allergic. All is forgiven, see you next New Years. Leaps and Gloppy Drooly Kisses R.
article continued here.
Both my mother and myself have been on the receiving end of a furry guest whom we did not invite. I love dogs but have spent most of my life renting in places which do not allow them. Yet I have still had people bring their untrained fur babies into my home. :wtf:
Where are your manners? Don't tell me that if you leave Skippy at home alone, he tears apart the furniture, because that makes me think he will do the samein my home. Are you prepared to replace my $3,500.00 living room set, my antique Waterford crystal, punch bowl with 17 matching cups and crystal ladle? If not leave your fur baby in a kennel.
By JOYCE WADLER and ABBY AGUIRRE
December 13, 2007
IT was a dark and stormy night actually four stormy nights when Jayme Otto, 31, and her husband, Ryan Otto, 33, drove 1,200 miles from their home in Boulder, Colo., to her parents house in Cleveland for Christmas.
"We traveled all this way to bring our yellow Labrador, Cody Bear, home to spend time with his grandparents, Ms. Otto said, grandparents being dog-person-speak for her parents.
Besides wanting Cody Bear to participate in his favorite yearly activity of unwrapping gifts and destroying all the boxes, as Ms. Otto put it, they wanted the dog to meet her brothers fiancée
But on Christmas morning, a commotion ensued: the fiancée was allergic to dogs and broke out in hives. The dog was banished to the guest bedroom and we were unable to share our Christmas morning with Cody Bear, Ms. Otto said bitterly.
The family blowup between my brother and I over the dog resulted in my mother not speaking to me for two months and my brother for four. This Christmas will mark the first time that the Ottos will not be returning home.
Where, one might ask at times like these, are the elegantly embossed cards people really need, ones reading: I cant believe I could have been so insensitive. Or better yet, I cant believe you could have been so insensitive.
They might also include a sketch of a sophisticated, well-traveled pet. Something for an animal that understands, even if others do not, that it is a valued family member. And of course a handwritten note, the tone bemused but firm.
Rex is truly sorry he sent Granny to the emergency room with the oxygen mask, but it isnt like anyone told me she was allergic. All is forgiven, see you next New Years. Leaps and Gloppy Drooly Kisses R.
article continued here.
Both my mother and myself have been on the receiving end of a furry guest whom we did not invite. I love dogs but have spent most of my life renting in places which do not allow them. Yet I have still had people bring their untrained fur babies into my home. :wtf:
Where are your manners? Don't tell me that if you leave Skippy at home alone, he tears apart the furniture, because that makes me think he will do the samein my home. Are you prepared to replace my $3,500.00 living room set, my antique Waterford crystal, punch bowl with 17 matching cups and crystal ladle? If not leave your fur baby in a kennel.