[nasdfrdg]

So, my family is going out to my grandmothers house for the Annual Family Reunion and Camp Out at the end of June. Every year the family gets together and camps on her property (unless you reserved a room in her house before the others,lol) and spend 3 days getting reaquainted, drinking, laying yard games and watching kids tear around together.

My dad called and asked me if the hubby, kids and I were going this year. I said I would if I could bring the dogs on their tethers and leashes. No go. Grandma HATES their breeds with a passion and a few other relatives join her. Thankfully, they are the old ones and will die soon. Grandma made a rule about dogs coming this year since myself, my sister and my brother all have bully breeds totaling 6 APBT and 1 AB. She won't let them on her property and banned all dogs but hers just to be fair.

My Aunt called and offered to let the dogs stay at her place, but everybody else is doing that. She lives off the highway and her yard is 5 acres not fenced in. I would have to put my dogs in the outdoor chain link kennel with the others or tether them. No way! Its only 15 min from Grandma's place, but I can't leave them there with the other dogs since there could be a fight and I won't tether them since there could be an escape or they could get hurt or stolen.

I hate missing out on the reunion, but what else can I do? I don't have a soul that I trust to care for my dogs in my absence since all the bully people will be there and I love them too much to risk them. Now I get to be the bad guy for blowing off the family for my dogs.

Oh, and the rich part? I hear "Well, she's old and in the beginning stages of dementia..". A) no medical diagnosis and B) thats what they always say when making excuses for her being a bitch.
ARRRGH!

Oh, and that same night I barbeque and Rita is just fine. 20 min later we go in the house due to the mosquitos and I notice Rita's left eye is swollen shut! She looked like she got punched by Mike Tyson. Its 10pm and my vet isn't open. While I am trying to find the e-vets number my husband suggests flushing the eye. We cool water flush it, me holding it open and him pouring. A black beetle looking bug comes to the surface. By morning her eye is back to normal.

Between her ears, her heart murmur, her hormone imbalance, her false pregnancy, her 3 balding spots the vet is watching to see if they get worse or fill in again and the bug incident, my husband is calling her "helmet dog" and thinks we should have her in a special needs kid helmet with goggles, rofl. I should have named her Calamity Jane. My sweet lil problem child.

[nuveem7070]

my family has a reunion every year in June...but you could not pay me to go..... I went twice, the last time was 20 or so years ago.. and there will not be a next time.....

[nasdfrdg]

lol, Obed. I sort of miss the whole family and then I spend some time with them and remember why I only see them once a year. At least they can all sit around and gossip about me either being the "crazy dog lady" or speculate that I am making excuses not to join them. That will keep them busy for hours.

[VINPELA]

Grandma HATES their breeds with a passion and a few other relatives join her. Thankfully, they are the old ones and will die soon.

Sorry to hear about your relatives. the above made me almost snort my coffee though. I'm sure you'll make it to a reunion eventually with dogs. Glad you are thinking positive.

Glad you sorted out Rita's eye, ouch!

[RerRibreLok]

awe that sucks i was cracking up with the well they are all old and will die soon lmao!

[nasdfrdg]

I know it sounds harsh about the old ones, but really! If you're too old to learn and have an open mind and heart then you might as well move on to whatever comes next, ya know?

[flienianO]

I'm sorry. Do you have a place that you feel safe boarding them? Either at the vets or at pet retreat? Just a thought. That way you and your husband and Kids don't have to miss out on the family fun. I love my dog and would miss her but if it meant getting to see family I wouldn't normally see, I'd look into boarding facilities. Your dog will be safe, secure, and taken care of. Just a thought

[NikkitaZ]

organize something similar and ban their dogs from coming because "you hate them with a passion" see how they'll like it

[hHwJ229h]

I really don't mind missing gatherings like that with the side of the family that s**t bricks when they found out I got a "vicious pittbull". All I heard was "blah blah blah, your cousin got bit by one blah blah blah, it's going to turn on you". Although I loved hearing my grandma stand up for me because she used to have them.

I haven't been back since I brought up bringing my bf of 4 years to a family gathering (he doesn't want to go, but it would be a nice gesture), and they said "yeaaahhh, no". Even after I pointed out that my cousin brought her baby daddy. After hearing that I'll be bringing my dogs next time to get hair all over their nice things, and Lucy will be eating all the children, I haven't heard from them in a bit.

But it's more fun to gossip about me when I'm not around. And it means I spend more time with my mom who loves the dogs and really likes my bf. So in the end I feel like I win and I've weeded out some unnecessary stress from my life.

[WumibBesowe]

I'm banned from bringing my Border Collie up to my stepdad's summer place in CT, because my mom's German Shepherd got in a fight with him. She blamed him, because her widdle baby couldn't have possibly picked a fight with him. So, now she thinks he's mean and unsocialized...I tried explaining to her that all dogs will fight, no matter how socialized they are, but no such luck. Neither dog was really injured, he ended up with a bleeding ear and her dog had a bleeding shoulder. No serious bites.

[Enjknsua]

I banned my family from me and moved to the other side of the country. They actually don't have any issue with my dogs. They are just annoying as hell.

[nasdfrdg]

You know, the more I read what you guys say and the more I think about it...well, I ain't missing much. Uncles and Aunties bitching and casting disapproving eyes at whoever. Kids whining. Parents and grandparents talking smack about how everybody else raises their kids. Heat and bugs. Grandmas lil Boston Terror cowering in the bushes because its terrified of everything...

Bah, I'd rather be with at home or hook up with my sister and brother and maybe Aunt L (who is the other crazy dog lady) at a later date. Coincidentally, the family I actually want to see is the ones who have "dangerous dogs". Ever wonder if its a personality thing? I mean I have a lot of friends and family and I have hung around pet forums for years but I only seem to really connect with and get along with "bully breed" people.

[moopierof]

My family is having a reunion in July... My dog is a great excuse to miss it. As to the personality thing I think you have a point because I'm pretty much the same way.

[Lipitorseffec]

Ya know MJJean, I would have to go have a beautiful picture made of me and my dogs and send it with someone to the reunion with love for all! That'll make the tongues wag!