DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I am not unsympathetic to my aunt’s limited income situation. I know she does what she can to keep on her fixed income’s budget.
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However, when she and my mom come to visit us for ten days to two weeks each summer when the kids are off school, she brings her two cocker spaniels, which not only shed everywhere, but also make my husband and our two sons get stuffy noses, runny eyes, and they sneeze almost non-stop if they don’t take allergy meds, which makes one son drowsy and the other one hyper. For my husband it isn’t so bad since he stopped teleworking most days of the week and now heads off to his office.
I’m glad the allergies do not seem to affect me, but having to sweep, dust, and vacuum the house every day when Mom and Aunt Beth are here does.
It is great that my aunt keeps my mom company on the long trip, and they are both loved by the boys, but how do I go about offering to kennel the dogs rather than putting my family and our home through the annual allergy invasion? I know Aunt Beth can’t afford the kennel fees, but we can, and we know of an excellent kennel operated two blocks from our house, which is where all our neighbors and several friends kennel their dogs when necessary. --- KENNEL PLEASE
DEAR KENNEL PLEASE: The question I had while reading your letter was whether or not the cost is the only thing preventing your aunt from kenneling her dogs either somewhere near where she lives or closer to you and your family.
If the cost is her only concern, and you’re willing to cover that at a good local kennel, then your selling the idea should be simple.
On the other hand, if leaving her dogs in a strange place is your aunt’s sticking point, you may find her not easily persuaded to take you up on your generous offer.
Another avenue you might want to explore is if there are dog sitters available in your aunt’s area. By still offering to foot the bill and by carefully researching what’s available near her, you could potentially sell her on the idea that her beloved pets would be spared a long trip and would instead be more comfortable and cared for in their own home.