In Law Woes

[SlitherinSisters]

UGH!!!! I feel your pain. Man I would be livid if my MIL was doing that crap! I told my boyfriend we can't take our dogs over to his mothers house because the dogs aren't fixed and spray all over the house, and she literally gives entire plates piled full of whatever they had for supper down on the floor for each dog. One time it was an entire plate of sweet potatoes with marshmallows, tons of butter, and sugar galore. I grabbed my dogs and made them sit next to me as I stared in disbelief. And if you are wondering, yes just about every one of her dogs has had major surgery, she has SIX.

[snakecharmer3638]

You're living in your In-laws home. It's THEIR HOUSE. I'd be counting my blessings that they're allowing you to keep all of those animals in THEIR home.

Just because they are living in THEIR HOUSE does not, BY ANY MEANS, give her MIL the right to possibly do harm to her animals. I agree the best way to fix the problem is to move. But in the mean time her MIL should still respect how she cares for her animals.

[stormwulf133]

You're living in your In-laws home. It's THEIR HOUSE. I'd be counting my blessings that they're allowing you to keep all of those animals in THEIR home.

NO, at the point that they are paying rent, it is now a rental space. You would not tolerate such behavior of a landlord. this is no different. I actually get sick of hearing this statement.

[MarkS]

NO, at the point that they are paying rent, it is now a rental space. You would not tolerate such behavior of a landlord. this is no different. I actually get sick of hearing this statement.

begging your pardon, but I believe landlords DO have a say in what kinds of animals are allowed on their properties, at least every place I ever rented did. Granted, her Mother in Law should leave the animals care to the owner, but I think allowing them there at all should grant her some kind of immunity from anger, otherwise it just sounds ungrateful.

[Jaydizzl05]

Yes it is nice of the MIL to allow her to keep her pets there, but the point is she should be a little more considerate to her wishes and not feed the pets.
It doesn't entitle her to do as she pleases with something that doesn't belong to her.

[Elise.m]

begging your pardon, but I believe landlords DO have a say in what kinds of animals are allowed on their properties, at least every place I ever rented did. Granted, her Mother in Law should leave the animals care to the owner, but I think allowing them there at all should grant her some kind of immunity from anger, otherwise it just sounds ungrateful.

Well yeah, they have a say in what animals are allowed, but they don't have a say in what they eat.

Maybe it's something that only people who have been in the situation can understand. When I'm paying for a room, whatever IN that room is mine. Almost like a storage, unless you've fallen behind on payment or something like that, then yeah do what you will. But don't try to harm animals when you've been warned time and time again what you're doing could have bad consequences.

[Beardedragon]

begging your pardon, but I believe landlords DO have a say in what kinds of animals are allowed on their properties, at least every place I ever rented did. Granted, her Mother in Law should leave the animals care to the owner, but I think allowing them there at all should grant her some kind of immunity from anger, otherwise it just sounds ungrateful.

Mark, I agree that she should be greatful that she can keep all of her animals there, and should solve this in a peaceful mannor, but still, harming her animals has nothing to do with her allowing her to keep them.

[AMPearce]

I kind of know what you are going through. We my aunt used to come and visit she would always give my dog table scraps and treats and whatever else she felt like. I would tell her not to because my dog doesn't do good with anything besides dog food and even too much of that can make her sick. I would inevidibly end up cleaning up dog vommit multiple times while she was visiting. Then when I would tell her not to do it she would have the audacity to tell me that I don't treat my animals well and that I should give my dog to her because could take care of her better. Wow. Drove me crazy. I now pay a friend to watch my dog for when my aunt is there, she tries to give me crap about it but my dogs health is more important.

[singingtothewheat]

While I totally agree that your mother-in-law sounds like a holy terror, until you get the _____________ out of there I believe you can plead, beg, threaten and if she still wants to be a gigantic pain in the rear panels, she's just gonna do it.
It doesn't sound like she has much common sense. Does she possibly have her own animals? Are the horribly obese?

[BPelizabeth]

Oh geez...I totally feel for ya! My 83 year old Mom lives with us and has some very interesting ideas when it comes to her "grandbabies". She wanted to get the snakes a fake mouse and a ball with a bell in it. Ya know....just in case they wanted to play..... Every year...even though I tell her to stop she gets the dogs raw hides. Hate those! I have big dogs so they swallow them whole...not good. ANYWAYS...

Sit down and have a talk with her. Let her know that you have given your dogs table scraps in the past......but unfortunately he is one of those dogs that has a very agitated digestive system. Hence he gets sick with scraps. Tell her that you feed him the dry food becuase it helps to clean his teeth. You can also get her some olive oil if she feels neccessary and she can put a teaspoon of that in with his dry food. (great for their coats).

I would also explain that the birds...if given biscuts (due to the yeast) can make them internally swell and ...well you get the picture. (I have no idea...I am going for effect here). Then give her some things she can do. Empower her. It sounds like she is trying to spoil them. Maybe get her some things she can give to the animals as treats. Maybe ask her to help clean some of the cages ....or take care of the animals when you are cleaning cages.

Bottom line...(I learned this with my Mom) and lord knows she makes me crazy!! As they get older they want to feel needed...by you...the grandkids...the animals...etc. They start to realize that you do not need them and can take care of yourself and that is hard for them. In my Mom's case.....I give her certain chores...this helps her to feel as though she is contributing. When she wants to get something for the animals...I give her a list of appropriate stuff. Sounds crazy but I swear it works. If you can "act" busy and say..."oh shoot....I wanted to get this snack for the dog...could you pick it up"....it empowers them. Try it!! Hope that helps!!