Need to vent-new dog related (long)

So, we were approved for our doggie adoption and are just waiting on his neuter and mircrochipping before we can take him home. We are all very excited.

Here's the vent...we broke the news to my parents over the weekend and their response was "Why do you want a dog?" They tried to seem happy, but I could totally tell they were rolling their eyes on the other side of the phone. Since then, they have made several passive aggressive comments about us getting a dog. Like, "remember how much it cost to have Cocoa (my dog growing up)?" "Why do you want to have another mouth to feed?" "You know you won't ever be able to go on vacation without spending a lot of money on boarding", etc. And just basically making it seem like we are silly for wanting to add a dog to our family right now. We have two kids, 5.5 and 2.5 and know that we are not exactly rolling in money, but it isn't like the dog will send us to the poor house.

Back story, we rescued a cockapoo puppy when I was 13 (after asking my parents for a dog since I was about 5). They ended up loving him more than anything. I honestly think my mom was traumatized when we had to put our dog to sleep at 15 because of failing health. So, I want to believe that she just doesn't want us to have to go through all of that with this dog. But their little comments are starting to piss me off and we don't even have the dog yet! Sorry this got so long, just needed to get it out. Thanks if you got this far

Re: Need to vent-new dog related (long)

We get these comments all the time. In fact my DH says those things too. But we had a dog for 15 years and managed just fine. Just remember that you do not need their permission, or their support. This is a decision for you and your DH. If you are ready to take on the responsibility then that's it.

Need to vent-new dog related (long)

My Dad did the same thing when we decided to adopt our dog. Once we got her home and he met her, he fell in love with her. Your the ones taking on the responsibility, not them. Don't let them get to you.

Re: Need to vent-new dog related (long)

Sorry! It should be a fun time!

Next passive aggressive comment, i'd respond snarkily well guess you don't have to ever see/pet/play with our dog!!

Re: Need to vent-new dog related (long)

I basically told them that it's not their decision, so please stop with the snide comments. Of course, they got defensive and said it is just out of concern.

Then this morning I had my mother in law starts in with the, "are you sure you want a dog?" "It will tie you down a lot". Ugh. It never ends.

Re: Need to vent-new dog related (long)

We had a bunch of these comments, still do:

"It's so much work"
"Your house is going to get so dirty"
"They're expensive"

All I hear is blah blah blah in my head now when they say it. And I simply tell them, I love our dog, and it's our house - if they don't like our dog, they don't need to come or comment on it.

Our dog has literally become part of our family and I get super annoyed when people make comments about him. Now that we're expecting a child in a few months, people are also making comments like "Oh, you won't care for your dog anymore" ...Pisses me off so much! He's our first little love, we'll always care for him the same way we do now and will grow to love him even more if that's possible over time.

Just stand your ground and let people know this is your decision - if they don't like it, they don't need to comment.

Congrats on adopting on a dog :)

Re: Need to vent-new dog related (long)

It all sounds like it's surrounding money. Do you confide in her about financial issues, borrow money? Will you be able to set aside money for emergency care for the dog in case it needs it?

I'm not saying the comments are right but if it's about money, I'd find out why and gently tell hem your finances are your business. I got some of the same kinds of comments but I responded with even more enthusiasm, not allowing negativity to bring me down. Eventually it stopped.