Impending DOOM!!!

betty ann

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Hi everyone! This is my first post here, and I have an emergency!!

I live in a one-bedroom apartment (it's pretty big) with my two best friends, Cheshire Cat and Dinah. It's very comfortable for the three of us! HOWEVER, my mother, stepfather, sister, and.... their dog are coming to visit! Oh no! They're basically completely insane people who will be taking over my apartment for about three days. And they're bringing their dog, a black lab. I cannot dissuade them from doing this. There's nothing I can do to stop them from coming, or from bringing the dog. They'll be here on Saturday.

The dog has been around cats before (I had a cat named Marshi before I left home for college), but my stepfather always encouraged him to chase the cat and bark at her (I told you they're insane!).

Cheshire Cat is 2 1/2 years old now - I adopted him when he was almost 1. He's VERY neurotic, and scared of everything. He feels secure in my new apartment now that I've finally moved away from a bad roommate, and he's been happier. However, I don't know how he feels about dogs. I assume he hates them...

Dinah is about a year old. I got her when she was a TINY baby, and she's totally spoiled and into everything. Completely fearless. She just crawls on everyone who visits.

I can't lock my cats up, but I can't lock the dog up, either!! They like to go under the bed to get away from things, or Dinah just jumps on top of the door:



But is that enough? WHAT DO I DO?!?! Eek!
 

hissy

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I think under the circumstances, I would board my cats at the vet. It really sounds like the lesser of the evil for the cats, and yes, they will be stressed, but not nearly as stressed with extra people and a dog tromping around their home for three days. I would also visit the cats as much as possible within those days and be sure they had a sweaty shirt of mine every day to give them comfort.

That is what I would do-
 

KitEKats4Eva!

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Originally Posted by hissy

I think under the circumstances, I would board my cats at the vet. It really sounds like the lesser of the evil for the cats, and yes, they will be stressed, but not nearly as stressed with extra people and a dog tromping around their home for three days. I would also visit the cats as much as possible within those days and be sure they had a sweaty shirt of mine every day to give them comfort.

That is what I would do-
 
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betty ann

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I had considered that, but I don't know how Cheshire Cat will do with that. Like I said, he's totally neurotic. I actually got the other cat FOR him! He once licked all the hair off his leg when I left home for about 2 days (I had someone come check on them twice per day). He deliberately starts breaking things when I'm looking if he doesn't feel like I'm paying enough attention to him. With him, it's a question of making him feel unsafe, or making him feel alone and stressed. I KNOW the dog won't hurt him (he likes to play with animals, and he's very gentle. He's just big and scary!), but I don't want Cheshire to feel scared.

Dinah on the other hand...wow, she's unpredictable. I totally anticipate her just jumping on the dog and trying to play. She's great with new people AND new cats... she's not afraid of ANYTHING. I'm not worried so much about her being around the dog. In fact, I'm a little worried that SHE might scare THE DOG!

I will call the vet tomorrow and ask them about any options like that. Thank you so much for the great suggestion!

Originally Posted by Ginger's Mum

Mmmm, good idea, and then split the bill with your family
ROFL... you obviously don't know my family ;D
I personally think the dog should go to the kennel (he's been in one before!) but noooo.... craziness abounds.
 

hissy

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How about paying for your family to stay at a motel that accepts dogs?
 
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betty ann

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Originally Posted by hissy

How about paying for your family to stay at a motel that accepts dogs?
There are no hotels around that accept dogs, but they've considered trying to sneak him in. They've done that before when fleeing hurricanes (they live in Florida - I'm in Alabama), so they definitely have no problem with it. Since I'm paying for it already, I'm getting them a cheap motel so *I* have no problem with it (the Moon Winx Inn in Alberta definitely has filthier and less well-behaved residents than the dog!).... that's probably our best option ;D
 

jennyr

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If they are in a motel will you be able to stop them bringing the dog into the apartment? That might be hard. You have to think of whatever is the lesser evil for your cats and it seems to me that you MUST avoid contact with this dog, who is trained to chase and worry, if not harm them. i would do whatever has to be done to achieve that, even boarding if necessary. By the way I love the picture of Dinah - I think you should send it in for hte TCS caption comptetition!
 

blueyedgirl5946

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Originally Posted by Larke

Get your landlord to forbid the dog.
I agree with this. However, if it were me I would tell them up front. I love you and you can come anytime you want to. Leave the dog. If they won't do that then I would tell them I intend to board THEIR DOG at the vet's office while they are visiting me. Your cats should not have to be boarded and give up their space for someone else's animal. Boarding one dog would be less money and stress. So GET THE LANDLORD TO FORBID THE DOG And TELL THEM IT WILL BE BOARDED IF THEY BRING IT.
 

ravyn

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I would never bring my dog into a situation where they might overstress animals already there. I used to take my two dogs to my mother's house when she had a two story and a big back yard. My boxer will harrass strange cats (she wants to play and gets too excited), but in the house the cats could hide in bedrooms or the dog could be put out in the back.

Now my mother's in a small apartment and I don't bring the dogs over any more, because it would be too hard for the cats to escape, and its not fair to them to bring a dog to invade THEIR house.

I'd put my foot down. Tell them leave the dog or don't come over. If they come over anyway, lock the door and pretend you ain't home
 

maratwc

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"but my stepfather always encouraged him to chase the cat and bark at her"

I realize this is your family, and I'm a total stranger, but I wouldn't someone like this bring a dog into MY home to terrorize the resident pets. This is just wrong.
 

pushylady

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Originally Posted by MaratWC

"but my stepfather always encouraged him to chase the cat and bark at her"

I realize this is your family, and I'm a total stranger, but I wouldn't someone like this bring a dog into MY home to terrorize the resident pets. This is just wrong.

It is YOUR home, remember. Just 'cos they're family doesn't give them the right to come traisping all over your home & cats without consideration for your feelings.
 

kathylou

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Yes. Board the cats, board the dog, board the relatives. Just PLEASE don't let that dog be around the cats. If Cheshire cat is already nervous, think how he would feel with a dog in the apartment with him - about as comfortable as I would be sharing a room with a terroriost.

Personally, I think the relatives are way wrong for putting you in this position, and they should have made travel plans for the dog before leaving.
 

girlieq

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This seems a lot like my family, except that they have weird fundamentalist religious ideas instead of a big nasty dog.

Over the years, we've worked it out that they leave their rules in their house, and I leave my rules at mine. It's the height of rudeness to invade someone's house, and being related just makes it worse. Tell them that they need to leave the dog elsewhere.
 

cyberkitten

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I know my family would tell me in no uncertain terms if a cat was not welcome and I think yu need to do this re the dog too. What if you were allergic to dogs? Would you allow the dog? You need to either tell them to board the lab or have someone care for him or ensure your kitties are safe by boarding them at a vet's or with friends. I have to admit I am leary about boarding a cat (diseases and such b/c of the stress) but many ppl I know do it without incident.

But I really think the best thing is to be upfront and tell them your cats will not feel safe and secure with the dog there and could they please leave him at home? I often labsit for my brother but when YY was a tiny kitten and I was unsure of how she'd react to dogs (she was born in a small home based cattery with children around so was used to all kinds of people and events but it was better to be cautious) so when he came to visit, I asked him to leave tje dog with a friend which he did. And his dog is a wonderful big baby who is extremely kind to everyone (he even got along with my bunny!) but he is an energetic lab! Your family should not mind and honour your wishes - it IS your home after all.
 

musicteacher

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Originally Posted by Bugaboo1

I agree with this. However, if it were me I would tell them up front. I love you and you can come anytime you want to. Leave the dog. If they won't do that then I would tell them I intend to board THEIR DOG at the vet's office while they are visiting me. Your cats should not have to be boarded and give up their space for someone else's animal. Boarding one dog would be less money and stress. So GET THE LANDLORD TO FORBID THE DOG And TELL THEM IT WILL BE BOARDED IF THEY BRING IT.


It may seem harsh, but YOUR home = YOUR rules. Honestly, it's inconsiderate of your family to disrespect your wishes by bringing a dog into a home with resident cats. Lay down the law. It's what's best for your cats.
 

stampit3d

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Totally agree with Bugaboo1 and Music Teacher....you , and only you should set the rules in your house. Would`nt they in their`s...and expect them to be obeyed?...that is unless they want to pay your rent and utilities for you...then you could listen to their input!
Linda
 
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betty ann

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Well, my family is kind of insane. They are completely disrespectful to others. When I was younger and I lived with them, I was HORRIBLY allergic to cigarette smoke, and would have major asthma attacks about once per week. The doctors kept telling them to stop smoking around me, but they refused - they just told me to go outside! ME! They're awful!! I'll probably only see them about three times this year (Christmas and Thanksgiving are unavoidable). I prefer talking on the phone, of course, so I can avoid them if I need to. But, my birthday was the other day, so now they suddenly want to come see me. I'm sure they'll want something. Anybody seen the movie "Million Dollar Baby"? They're kinda like that girl's family...

Anyhow, the situation has been resolved! YAY!! My stepdad decided to stay home with the dog. *whew!* This was decided about 20 minutes before they actually left. Crazy folks! But I'm so glad that now all the animals will be safe and happy
 

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I agree with the quote below.
In my own home I look at it this way...my kitties are helpless. It is up to me to be the fierce lioness & protect my cubs because no one else will.

You must establish boundaries with your family. They may not like this, but if you want them to respect the fact that you are a separate human being, with your own needs, you must tell them the truth.
Just say no ... or borrow money from them, take the kitties & go to a motel while they are at your place.

Originally Posted by stampit3d

you , and only you should set the rules in your house. Would`nt they in their`s...and expect them to be obeyed?...that is unless they want to pay your rent and utilities for you...then you could listen to their input!
Linda
 
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