Doggie (Pug) drama

Marusika · October 2013

Well.... 3 years and a half ago my sister bought a dog, a pug. She was busy so the dog spent half of the time in our home, so we fell in love with him too. Now, my sister left to college and we moved in my parent`s house, we couldn`t aford the rent anymore. The pug lives with us.

Now, my grandma visited us and told my father that the dogs are not allowed to live in the same house with the pregnant women and that babies cand have hair in their lungs if they live near dogs. And of course, my father believed her. My mother didn`t agree and grandma told her that she loves more the dog than she loves me.

So my father decided to take the dog to the village and let him live outside, near our grandparent`s house. Let me mention that soon starts the winter. Our winters are very cold (-20 degrees celsius)..the poor dog has short hair. When we walk him in the winter he rapidly pees and poos and wants to go home. ALso, in the cold he has problems with his knees. It`s like death sentence for him!!!!

I would be devastated if he takes him! He says that my sister will agree with him but I doubt it so much. I will talk to her not to agree with that no matter what, and she adores him too. (he has to ask her first because it`s her dog).

And he is a clean dog and very calm and loving, and anyway not allowed to come in our bedroom, so I don`t see what`s the problem. It`s not like I`m eating from the same bowl with him. Yes, his hair is falling but we removed the carpets so we can clean it easily.

I opened once a thread saying that people told me that dogs are dangerous for babies and asked your oppinion.. But never thought that my dad would really plan to get rid of the dog.

I don`t know what to say to convince my dad to let him here.... If that was officially my dog I could decide for him.. but it`s not.

Marusika · October 2013

I`m talking about this sweetie:

Just immagine him alone in the snow

Teresa1896 · October 2013

Poor baby! Hair won't hurt you or the baby....all these old wives tales about pets being dangerous are just not true but won't go away!
Could you tell your family you asked your doc about the dog and they confirmed it's perfectly fine for you to live with him?

Marusika · October 2013

I could actually ask my doctor. I`m pretty sure that he`s not going to be against the dog.

thomas930 · October 2013

I've had dogs all my life and have never ever heard of hair getting into the baby's lungs. I would ask him and your Grandmother to show you a medical case/proof that this is a real issue. It really sounds like someone just wants to get rid of the dog. The only time a dog is dangerous for kids is if that dog is not kid friendly or the dog and child are not being supervised, otherwise dogs are great family companions. I'm sorry you are dealing with this.

Rrrrrachel · October 2013

Kids who grow up with pets actually have fewer allergies and better immune systems!!

Marusika · October 2013

@thomas930 this dog is very kind. Small kids pulled his tail and ears and chased him and he never got aggresive.

@Rrrrrachel that`s what I knew too

ZebNMichelle · October 2013

Talk to your doctor have them tell your family your dog is fine safe at home.

zoopsiedaisy · October 2013

And honestly, there are other options than snow. There are pug specific rescues, rescues for any animal, like Companion Pet Rescue https://cprdogs.com who may be able to find a good home or connect you with a rescue in your area, no-kill shelters, and maybe a friend willing to take your dog. Put it out there and do your research. If it comes down to him living in the snow without the type of companionship and caring he's getting from you now, then IMO its better and your responsibility to find somewhere else for him to live.

https://cprdogs.com/

Edit to try to make link clicky

sking72 · October 2013

dealing with parents is tough...my dad told me my pitbull is never allowed at their house, yet complains when i dont spend the night and offered for me to move in if jeff and i werent staying together when he found out i was pregnant. um sorry dad, i will do almost anything to keep this dog, including working my ass off so i can afford rent and a house for me and the dogs.

i agree with most everyone else, talk to your doctor, stand your ground. protect little the little pug! or look into cheaper living options where you dont have to listen to their rules constantly (which I understand is much easier said than done, i've moved at least 9 times in the past 5 years)

Marusika · October 2013

@Heidiman we have no animal rescue , no animal police. There are 60.000 homeless dogs in Bucharest only.

@LalaMama81 We can`t move now. This is a really shitty country with medium salary of 200-300 $. That`s just enough to buy toilet paper. And when we married we borrowed my father a big ammount of money, enough to buy land and build a house. He invested in his business and now is bankrupt. He promised to return the money in 8 months. That was more than 3 years ago.

@AprilMay9 no, the dog is with us in the house. But my father is planning on kicking him out. That hurts.

scarles · October 2013

Your father is completely wrong. How many people have animals in their homes with babies and children? Please find a responsible, caring home for the pup if you can't care for him. Don't let it come to your dad kicking him out and doing something cruel like letting him live outside. If you can't move out (which you should possibly consider since it sounds like your father creates a hostile environment), please find a good home for the dog. Poor thing doesn't deserve it!

Marusika · October 2013

Oh, and let me tell you one more thing. He wants to let the dog to live outside my grandparent`s house. Well, my gradpa is very cruel with animals. When his female guard dog gave birth, he put the puppies in a sack and drowned them. And when every one of his dogs gets old he just shots them in the head. And by old I don`t mean that the`re sick or in pain, or can`t walk or can`t eat. The`re just normal old dogs, but can`t defend and bark as a young one.

I can`t understand how can he be that cruel.

Marusika · October 2013

@AprilMay9 yes, Romania. Prenatal care is not so diferent. We have good clinics and some good doctors too. The difference is that we have a lot of uneducated people, that leads to poverty and the poverty leads to other uneducated people. It`s not the third world, but not the first either.

hordol · October 2013

I've never even heard this before.

when I got pregnant my doctor asked me if I had cats, and I said no and that I had dogs. He said, "oh, dogs are fine but if there are cats you can't clean the litter box."

So obviouslyy ob is okay with it, haha, and I'm willing to bet the rest are too.

mrscrcalli · October 2013

I have a pug. She's such a good girl she's sweet and kind like most all pugs are, my dr says shes fine. I hope you get the ok also. I can't imagine how had that would be.
Here is my little one

myschlove · October 2013

I would say it is definitely time to set some boundaries. If you are going to live there with your baby you are in charge of you and your baby and now is when you need to establish that. As far as the dog goes I would ask your doctor and maybe look at a few articles online you can show him!

Mustardseed2007 · October 2013

I would talk to your doctor and get his opinion (you have good doctors so they should confirm that this is hogwash) and then tell your grandfather that a medical professional has confirmed that old wives tale is BS. Actually TBH, I've never heard that particular myth.

First, kids with dogs are less likely to have allergies, particularly allegories to pet dander. That is a fact.

Here is just one article about it: https://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/09/science/la-sci-dogs-cats-babies-health-20120709

Second, outdoor cats (not dogs) carry a small risk to pregnant women if the woman handles the cats' feces (you can also get it from uncooked meat or infected produce). So the solution most doctors suggest is changing the litter box with gloves or have someone else change the litter box for you). Again, you cannot get it from dogs.

Third, the idea of the pet hair sounds like an old wives tale about cats smothering babies or stealing their breath. I haven't heard that about dogs. But in any event, that is not true either, it was an explanation for SIDS before people had any idea of what was going on. Lay your kid on their back to sleep with no blankets or pillows, sleep with a fan going in your child's room, BF your child, use a paci, don't over heat your child by dressing them too warmly...all these things help deter SIDS. Cats and dogs have nothing to do with it.

I agree, it's your baby. Your GF is not in charge. Plus, he's just plain wrong in this instance.

nicole mackenzie · October 2013

A pug cannot live outside. If your dad is going to take the dog with or without your consent then you need to do what is best for the dog.

Either find a new place to stay where you can keep him.

Or contact a rescue group or shelter and find him a safe home.

It may be hard but it would be cruelty to leave him outside.

b-ruth · October 2013

It seems that you are the only one who is able to stand up for the dog. If you know it is a death sentence for the dog to live out in the snow you don't want the death of a dog hanging over you. I would have your dad talk to your doctor. If that doesn't work you really should look for a loving home for the dog. Best wishes.

Marusika · October 2013

I`m going to play the pregnant woman card. Also, maybe I want my children to grow up with dogs. This way they learn empathy and responsability. So nobody can take this right from me. I decide for my kids.

KatieGummow · October 2013

O.M.G. That picture. I AM SO SORRY!!! Please call/talk to your OB about this, see if she can put it in writing that it is ok! That way your gma and dad HAVE to understand it is ok to have that sweet, little adorable face. Our OB only asked if we had cats or rodents as pets. Your babies will less likely develop allergies towards dander if you have pets!

And just to hit home, an article stating how beneficial it is to have pets around children.

https://www.parents.com/parenting/pets/kids/pets-good-for-kids/

lcr23 · October 2013

This is so sad. I agree with the others, ask the doctor to confirm there's no issue.

SeattleMomma · October 2013

I just got a puppy pug yesterday. I did a lot of research first and pugs are considered one of the top ten must dogs for kids. I've heard that they do shed a lot, but I'm ok with vaccumming more.

summershanty · October 2013

We have a 70 pound dog who sheds a ton (like more than a long hair dog) and we have a 17 month old son. We haven't had any problems with dog hair and our son at all, and I'm not the best person about vacuuming. Pets are actually better for babies and their immune system.

Marusika · October 2013

Thank you for the support.

SuzieQu4u · October 2013

I'm sorry, but no no no no!

We have TWO pugs and they are the most amazing dogs ever. They cuddled and loved me all thorough my first pregnancy and are amazing big brothers. During my second now they are still just as lovely.

It is your life, and your pregnancy. Just because the family thinks one thing doesn't mean you need to abide by it. A lot of people, your family included, are going to have A LOT of opinions. It is your life, your baby, your pregnancy and I am SURE everything will be just fine with your adorable little pug.

I wouldn't give them up for the world.

wfellerman · October 2013

I have a pug and she is the sweetest baby. Iv never heard of that before and would not allow him to stick your poor dog outside. My pug sleeps with me and I see no problems with it !

Emmalou05 · October 2013

Aww this is awful he is trying to do this :-( that pug is too dam cute to put outside. I have a very hairy cockerpoo and my midwife has met her and said nothing about it being bad for me or baby def speak to your doctor. Good luck