Dog bite seems to hurt the whole family
Dear Amy: I am the mother of three adult children and grandmother to six.
We usually celebrate holidays, birthdays, etc. together.
On Christmas Eve, my son's 4-year-old was bitten by my daughter's dog, while my son-in-law had the dog on a leash. The child was upset, but his parents handled the situation calmly. He now has a scar on his hand from the bite.
The next occasion that we were to be at this daughter's home was over Easter.
My son's family has a dog of their own (a very obedient animal), and didn't want to traumatize their little boy any more than he already was. He asked his sister to please crate the dog when his children (he has the 4-year-old and a 2-year-old) were to be in the home.
She answered that the dog would be on a leash while inside. My son said that he and his wife wouldn't be comfortable with that, and said he wouldn't attend the family dinner. They celebrated elsewhere.
My son and his wife have hurt feelings, as do I.
I sent my daughter an email asking her to apologize to her brother and sister-in-law for not respecting their request, which I don't think was unreasonable.
This issue is now causing a problem in our family.
Your input?
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