Comments on: Mackie is allowed to…..

By: rachel

rachel — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:29:25 +0000

i now all about dellemmas like this and have probably had very similar arguments with my various family members i have a siberian malamute cross that weighs 85 lbs and sheds a lot (garbagebags full if shes not grumed regularly)and sinse my car has no airconditioning and i live in a desert i have to beg for rids from family members who are lucky enough to have ac so is the vehicle that your family usesmbig enough for mackie to be in a crate while he is in the car and what exactly are her complaints about having mackie in the car is it the hair is it because she thinks he barks too much does he get carsick does he track dirt in the car maybe if you could find out what the problem is more specifically you could find a solution easyer and if she still doesnt let him ride in her car why not try to figure out a schedual to where whoever is walking mackie has use of one of your vehicles to take him in you could also try getting your mother in law more involved with the dog and try including her in more descisions on the dogs care and exercise if she already isnt giving her a better understanding though personal experiance instead of just explaining it to her might make a big diffrence if done properly

By: Candi Smith

Candi Smith — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:07:21 +0000

We have had rottweilers for over 27 years and since we only had sons, our rotties were my “daughters” and have been all these years. Yes, we have had to put 2 down, and one died in my arms, we now have one of the older ones left and two young pups. They go every where we go, people accept that – they stay in our bedroom when we get to where we go in Colo, as our friends know these dogs are never away from ushere in AZ. So for the MIL to say no, she is being very selfish and self-centered right now not to let the FIL take the dog in the car with him to go for walks like they did before. If something did happen to the FIL, would she give the dog up, or would she cling to the dog because the FIL loved the dog so much?? The MIL needs to think about some things instead of just herself.
There are many great products out there to keep your car seats protected now, so that isn’t the real reason. A 2nd car is the answer, unless they can’t afford it, then the MIL just needs to allow the dog in the car and stop this foolishness.

By: June Domme

June Domme — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:14:19 +0000

We have a 4 year old Irishsetter and he goes
with us in a car and truck all the time.

We just got back from a 1000 mile trip to
Spokane Washington, where our children gave us
a 50th Anniversary party and of course we took
Marshell with us. Just put his blanklet on the
truck seat to protect the leather seats and his
water and food bowl on the floor with a plastic
bag under his bowls to protect the carpeting.
We have a crewcab truck so Marshell has his
own seat. He loves to travel, I can’t believe
your mother in law, I wonder does she treat her
grand children the way she treats her dog?

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:03:50 +0000

I agree it is not about the dog. Dishes,clothes, and floors get dirty.She has to clean those everyday. What is the difference with a dog. You just clean the hair out of the car.
At this point she has her heels dug in. For her to give in is an admission of being wrong, with the rest of you being right. She sounds like a got to be right. She will change only if someone could convince her it is really her idea or maybe if she got booed buy a large group of people. Try to get her on the Dr. Phil show He will get her help free of charge

By: Cyndy Jamieson

Cyndy Jamieson — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:55:25 +0000

Isn’t Mackie part of the family? We have 2 Shih Tzu’s and they are much as part (or maybe more) of the family than the humans. They certainly get more attention! For goodness sake, it’s only a car! Mackie is family.

Have a good one.

By: Frieda

Frieda — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:44:20 +0000

Don’t forget the doggie boots….the mother in law will appreciate your efforts…:-)

By: Nancy Ball

Nancy Ball — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:59:04 +0000

My “girls” (two Shih Tzus) have their own car seats and love going for rides! Recently I purchased a newer car (2004) and the first thing I did was put a blanket on the seat and strapped in the doggie seats.

I’m sure Mackie will eventually make it into the backseat of the car once the newness of the car wears out. How can anyone resist the sad face of a dog who is used to going for rides.

Here’s the link to a story I read where dogs don’t make us happy, they make us healthy:

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/073108/liv_311691187.shtml

Maybe you could print off a copy and mail it to your Mother-in-law”

By: Jacqueline Austin

Jacqueline Austin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:05:15 +0000

Who’s car is it anyway and is your Dad-in-law a man or a mouse. Sounds like my sister who is definately a Stetford Wife, so I can’t visit her with my dogs. She does cleaning for a living and gave up one job because they had a dog, saying they make too much mess, “please”.
Don’t think your Mum-in-Law really likes dogs. If the Dad-in-law agrees to keep the car in pristine condition, then she is just being unreasonable and needs a good talking too.
Does she know that the whole world is looking at her?
Jacquie.

By: donna

donna — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:25:49 +0000

moter-in-law could buy a booster seat for mackie and a bottle of refresh for her.

By: Judy

Judy — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:29:06 +0000

I feel real sorry for your father-in-law, being dominated by such an unfeeling woman! Evidently her new car is more important to her than her dog, and it evidently gives her more pleasure and joy. Perhaps the dog is really her husband’s, and she barely tolerates it. My cars are always dogmobiles, I have such fun with my dogs, taking them to training classes, dog shows, camping trips etc. Some of my friends complain about the doggy smell, but they don’t have to ride in my car if they don’t like it! Of course the dogs also share my home, they are wonderful companions, and guards – a relevant point here in Kenya.

By: Jan King

Jan King — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:24:04 +0000

I agree with all who said the father-in-law should get a car or truck for the dogs. I have friends who won’t ride in my car ’cause they might get dog fur on their clothes. (We have an 11 yr.old long-haired GSD…..fur is an every day clothing acessory in our house) Well, I’m sorry, but our boy Kato goes in our car as often as he can. He’s a very important part of the family. Love me…love my dog. If my friend and I want to go somewhere, we go in HER car and she avoids the fur!

I have the following poem on my refrigerator you might enjoy:

FUR CARE
My furs are not in storage
Or draped across my bed.
They’re standing at the back door,
Waiting to be fed!! (Author- Lynn Hartsell)

Given an ultimatum in our family…the dog would definitely win out over the opposing members !

By: Doug Murray

Doug Murray — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:45:48 +0000

As a fellow animal lover/companion (I don’t like the term “Owner” & a former “Automotive Detailer” I would highly recommend “Scotchguarding” the interior of any car on a semi regular basis. I’ve been able to take road tar & worse off of upholstery even on older cars that have NEVER been treated with this solution previously.

After HUNDREDS of vehicles passing through my care, I can say this is pure gold!!! At worse, you may have to gently scrub it with a fine (light) brush before patting the surfaces dry with a few paper towels or clean rags. Our dealership was offering this as an incentive for owners to have their cars serviced at the place they’d bought them. I was personally able to bring the worst stains back to “factory” condition. I’m not certain if this would solve ALL odour problems, but there are other treatments (Febreeze) which could be applied after the “Scotchguard” has had a dys drying time, with no ill effects.

I hope that helps! Thank you for all the information you’ve posted/E-Mailed through your site… it has been VERY helpful.

All the best & have a great one!

;D.

By: Louisa in Spain

Louisa in Spain — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:44:30 +0000

Hi Andrew, I´ve just discovered you via the net (I´ve also now just got ADSL which is SO liberating!) and just wanted to say what a JOY it is to see a vet like you exists! I feel exactly the same as you about animals in the house, to me they ARE my family.. and I´d rather a slightly furry messy house than a pristine place with no animal soul in evidence! I hope you sort things out OK in your new home, and can have your furry family near you where they belong.. and good luck with your MIL. I´m lucky because I can do what I like on that score, I live in the middle of a natural spot in Spain and no MIL or anti-pet partner to cramp my furry family’s style. I have such a similar outlook to you I just wish you could be my local vet, but I´ll just have to make do with your internet presence! I´ve never been one to follow conventional ways for the sake of it.. and I really appreciate your honest unconventional approach and generosity of heart letting us all know how to care for our pets even better at home…Your heart is in the right place! it´s great that you´re not like all those other vets that I´ve felt uncomfortable about for years! Good luck with the MIL car and the new home issues! And thanks for being YOU! Louisa :0)
http://www.freewebs.com/cloudninemaltesepuppies and http://www.freewebs.com/louisalivingstone

By: Annette

Annette — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:29:17 +0000

You know…. your MIL reminds me of a joke a
(canadian) friend told me once:

This guy was on a cruise, laying out in the sun.
He looks over at the guy next to him who is also
alone on deck and says,
“Hey you want to play a little shuffleboard?”
The guy responds,
“No thanks, tried it once, didn’t like it”.

Some time goes by and again the 1st man asks,
“Well then, how about going inside to shoot a little pool”
Again, the reply is,
“No thanks, tried it once, didn’t like it.”

After some more time passes, a boy walks up and
stands by the 2nd man, wanting his attention.
The 1st man says, “Your son??”
The 2nd guy says, “Yes, he is.”
The 1st replies, “An only child, I presume??”

By: R D Woodley

R D Woodley — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:08:07 +0000

Hello Dr. Jones,

When my late husband was dying of Pancreatic Cancer, he ask me to get him a DOG. I took him to pick it out. He Loved that DOG. Please ask your Mother-in-law, What is important to your husband’s happiness. When her Husband Dies, She will be so sorry that she did not allow the
Dog in the car. Tell her Please Think about this. When he is gone, it will be to late. I wish my husband was her with me every day.