Entertaining Guests With Pets

Discussion in 'Pets and Animal Lovers' started by blindpup10, Oct 18, 2016.

  1. blindpup10

    blindpup10 Platinum IL'ite

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    Hmm so, this is more like a personal attack on me-- if its not pertained to the topic on this thread. Please don't bring up B into this thread
    Because you have asked this question let me explain---
    With B, I didn't even know she didn't like pets until they showed up. However, they were well informed ahead "yes" and they didn't tell us to lock up the pets ahead.
    We usually don't have our dog (puppy then) when we entertain. [To be even more specific having puppy who was still being trained is hard to controll.. that is the reason why we had left our dog in the yard]
    We had our dog outside. After being told that B isn't ok with pets. As pet owners did we scramble around to make things comfortable for B yes we did.

    Its is highly inappropriate to go to your hosts house who (meaning my DH and I) had informed about the pets and her husband A had been to our house and spent time with our pets.. But but...B decides to speak up about how she is not ok with pets after she comes to our house...??

    Everything seems like a fair game when it comes to pointing fingers at pet owners right??

    If we had been informed ahead I doubt we would have entertained them with pets. Like we have been friends for almost 2 years without them actually coming home...maybe you didnt get to read all that...

    Unless you know the whole story maybe you should refrain from saying what is not rightly done as being a pet owner. Please don't use your imagination, experience and start pointing fingers here at me.
    So, even when everything was done as pet owner to accommodate out nonanimal loving guests. I still have to take blames from unknown people coz they associate with the feeling of "same fear"

    Actually, yes the things I had mentioned on the other thread all happened in a span of 2 years.. maybe you missed that part. But more concentrated on how I was bashed for being an inconsiderate pet owner. If the issue was just about my pet and B's friendship... hmm call me insensitive pet owner and a hypocrite.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2016
  2. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Some things that came to mind, that could be of use to pet-owners looking for tips on entertaining guests who don't have pets themselves.

    If inviting more than a certain number of people to your house for a dinner party, consider arranging for the pet to be out of the house for a few hours under somebody else's care (kennel, neighbor's house, etc.). Might be easier to arrange this for a dog than for a cat, I guess. Especially, in Indian parties, the host ends up doing a lot of running around, and will just not have the time to make sure the pet is kept away from guests who prefer that. I'd say if more than 10-12 people are expected, you and spouse are going to be on your toes all the time just with the hosting.

    Know your insurance. Be aware whether your home owner's insurance or other insurance you have covers bites, injuries to guests caused by your pet. Most insurances won't cover beyond the first incident. If something does happen unfortunately, you want to be prepared, and not researching then, when you are already feeling horrible about the bite, injury.

    The list of rules can be long, and each can be subjected to dissection and analysis, so here's a rule of thumb instead:
    Imagine somebody has a baby iguana or another free roaming reptile or a litter trained rabbit in their house. You are visiting them yourself, or with a toddler, or with an elderly not so agile parent, and so on. What courtesies and actions would you like to see from that iguana, rabbit or other reptile owner? Would you be fine with the reptile curling up near a heat vent in a corner of the living room, a distance from you or your child? The owner sits on a chair with the pet in his lap, would that be OK?
     
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  3. blindpup10

    blindpup10 Platinum IL'ite

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    Yes yes to hanging out with friends who love dogs :thumbup:
     
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  4. MalStrom

    MalStrom IL Hall of Fame

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    Our house policy is simple. I have two huge dogs. One of them is a senior and has significant health issues. I will not evict them from the house unless it is to visit the vet. The senior can also only be in a carpeted area which happens to be the main living area. I do understand it is unreasonable to expect everyone to love my fur kids. The only people invited home are the ones who are cool with dogs. With all others we make plans to meet elsewhere.
     
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  5. Sparkle

    Sparkle Platinum IL'ite

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    bp,
    Why do you feel that everyone is attacking you personally when an option other than what you believe is brought up or suggested?
    If I hadn't referenced B here and just narrated the same incident, you would have felt the same way. If you see my responses in the other thread and this thread too, I have not sided with B. Yes, she is at fault. But just lets say someone is well aware of of you having pets, showed up and says they are afraid of pets and walks out of your house? No sorry, nothing, how would you feel? You actually mentioned she didn't make an effort with your pets, while all the while you have been talking about pet owners respecting non-animal lovers feelings.

    No one knows the 'whole' story except you bp. Everyone is posting based on what you narrated. I doubt anyone is imagining and pointing fingers here.


    I did not miss that part. In a comment i used the same '2 years' you have used here. Actually you are calling yourself those names.

    bp,
    I know you are very kind-hearted person. It takes a lot to do what you are doing. Its possible that you love your pets more than some humans. That is perfectly acceptable. Please embrace your good side more often.

    Peace!! :thumbsup:
     
  6. blindpup10

    blindpup10 Platinum IL'ite

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    @Rihana- Good pointers...
    If it is a party of more than 5... I would say...Board your pets.. yes cats can be boarded too. Pets come with an expense and it is better to board them for a fee rather than paying for guest's insurance if at all something happens.
    It becomes very easy for guest and the host not worry about their pets or trying to control pets instead of having a good time.
     
  7. blindpup10

    blindpup10 Platinum IL'ite

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    That's a good rule. Accommodating pets becomes the first priority for pet owners. I think older the pets get.. It becomes hard to change or train them to do something new.
     
  8. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    A while ago, I even looked into how to get over this not liking animals too much. Was even a bit successful. With friends whose word I trust, I believe when they say the dog won't come near me, and we end up with nice long dinners and chat sessions that go late into the night. It is kind of funny (!) to see them taking the dog out for walk on the dot, and how the dog keeps them as busy as parents with little kids. That's what pet owners tell us - it is a LOT of work. Anyway, just remembered two incidents that are somewhat hilarious (mostly in retrospect).

    One family I know (in India), and we have stayed over at their place too - so they have a dog now. We dutifully ooh'ed and aah'ed on skype and in FB etc. They live on a very high floor of the apartment complex in a largish apartment. So, one day skype talk turned to pet owners not picking up after their pet who pooped in our lawn (U.S.). The lady in this family casually told us that their dog poops in their bathroom. I asked a follow-up 'but how' question : ) Apparently, when it needs to go, it goes to the bathroom, somebody lays out a newspaper, and it goes on that. I didn't ask any more questions. : ) But did look up Airbnb options in their city for my future use. ; )

    The animal lover vs not-much-lovers of animals conflict can happen at homes without pets too. We were invited to a party by the Indian couple who are very like A &B of the "other" thread : ) Huge party - about 75-100 guests I think. Many ethnicities - Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, European, American, Indian, Hispanic, etc. One guest bought along a very active small dog. After the dog created some mayhem, they tried briefly to put it in a separate area, but soon gave up. I told A that it has to be put away or I can't be in the room. A apologetically said it was his boss who had brought the dog and so ..... I left ; ) Luckily house was nearby, so DH got a ride later. So - pet owners shouldn't take their dogs to others houses just like that. The hosts might be fine with dogs, but not all the other guests.
     
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  9. Sparkle

    Sparkle Platinum IL'ite

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    Informative!

    As I read "that their dog poops in their bathroom", the image of a dog sitting on the potty popped in my head. A large golden retriever to be exact. :expressionless:
     
  10. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    BP, nice thread. The best threads start off due to a side discussion in other threads. I saw it also got nominated for Finest Post. Good.

    All things we are posting here are meant for pet-owners in general. Please don't take them as meant for you vonly, and also, if I may say, there is no need to defend or respond to each suggestion. On a lighter side, I liked your "I am not his master's voice.." comment. : )

    Didn't think pets related topic would be as hot as SAHM/Working Mom topic. : )
     
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