Mackie is allowed to…..
From: Dr Andrew Jones
Author: Veterinary Secrets Revealed
Website: https://shop.veterinarysecrets.com
Re: Mackie is allowed to…
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A BIG Hello to all of you…I am now back VERY busy at work, and pleased that I finally have an internet connection at my new house. 🙂
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SO ..WHAT about Mackie?
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You probably remember.
My Mother-In-Law WON’T let Mackie go in their Brand new car.
This was REALLY bugging me, so I wrote everyone about it.
I received a TONNE of great suggestions on my blog. MANY, MANY suggestions..
…get rid of the Mother-In-law
…Therapy sessions
…Specially designed covers for the car seats (I had a fairly serious chat with my Mother In-Law
about this).
I used the ‘this is coming from my expert opinion as a Doctor’.
I stressed the importance of regular exercise for Mackie’s health and mental well being AS well
as that of her husband’s… my Father-In-law is the one who always walks Mackie.
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And what do she decide?
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MACKIE ain’t going anywhere.
NOT in the car…
Grounded…
Maybe things will change, but not yet.
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P.S. Feel free to write in additional comments… I am enjoying the feedback and your insights 🙂
I am purchasing my Mother-In-Law some specific dog seat covers…
After the purchase I’ll let you know what happens.
It’s Your Pet… Heal Them At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
The father in law should get a car for Mackie to ride in. Why do they need to share one car, because the mother in law thinks so? What he does in his car, is his business.
I have an SUV for my girls so there are lots of windows for nose prints.
Hello and thank you for the blog.I was wondering is there anything that can be done for Feline Herpes without seeing a vet?
I have a 8 year old Neutered black Tom {Samba} and before I had him nuetered he had this when he was roughly 8 months old.I had him treated and nuetered and he showed no relapses of it until roughly 3 weeks ago.He loved the outdoors and only would come in to eat but now he just lays and sleeps and sneezes and wheezes.The discharge from his nose is thick and yellowish looking.
He still eats well and drinks plenty of water and is about 20 pounds.
He also has an 8 year old brother black {Boo-Boo) that had it when roughly 8 months old and he has not had a relapse since me and my wife had him and his brother nuetered and treated together.
Thank you.
Steven/Ramona M.
I’d recommend a second car/truck for your Father-in-law and Mackie. Doesn’t have to be brand new. My dad has a truck for every purpose and some are well pretty old and pitiful but they all run. He has one with the hay spike and another holds the grain feeder and one is just for spraying the cattle and I haven’t decided the purpose for a couple of them but I think one is for fixing fence and another as the fifth wheel to haul the cattle trailer. Of course one is the good truck that my Mom drives.
Thanks,
Michelle
I don’t understand this….I put a fleece blanket across my back seat..keep it in the trunk at all times. Wash it often. 2 Dobermans love riding in the car and love hiking at various locations. No way would I deprive them and myself of this much fun because I was worried about the stupid car……
Dear Dr. Andrew,
May I ask what happened to the old car? Did they trade it in.
It’s sad that this woman’s priorities are so screwed up, but perhaps a second, older vehicle (or even a golf cart)could be the solution. Then she could keep her precious car pristine, and her husband and Mackie could still get the valuable exercise and time together that they need for their health and emotional well-being.
You didn’t mention whether or not she is jealous of the relationship between her husband and Mackie. If that is the case, then the new car is simply an excuse to curtail their time together.
However, since you did mention that she won’t allow animals in the house, it’s probably her messed-up priorities – and a second vehicle would fix the problem.
Unfortunately, we have lots of women like her where I live. They keep their houses so immaculate that only company gets to go into the front room (lucky them, NOT!). Usually the front room is so neat and clean that it’s uncomfortable AND, if they do allow a dog, for their husband or child, it is consigned to a 6’x 6′ chain link pen in the backyard, or kept on a chain. Sheesh! Some people!
Give me a lived-in, loving home home any day over an immaculate shrine. Reminds me of the comparison between the Dursley and the Weasley homes in the Harry Potter stories. Which one would most sane and CARING people choose?
I think it’s about time that Mackie gets a better home with someone who can really love him and treat him right.
Well, you gave it your best shot. Perhaps the seat covers will help. Until then, I hope your father-in-law continues to spend time with Mackie, going for walks around the neighborhood. Maybe he’ll find a cheap car just for him and Mackie to tool around in 🙂 while she sits at home. Mackie sounds like a lovely dog and it’s nice to read that her master loves her just as much as she him. Keep up the great blogs! I love reading your insights and information and sharing your passion for the well-being of all creatures. You’re the best!
Dear Dr. Andrew,
I just had to add that, in my work with psychiatric patients, I do see people who are obsessed with cleanliness. Generally it is a form of Obsessive-Compulsive behavior (may be mild to severe) and these people are to be pitied, if they can’t be helped.
Some of the happiest people in the world are those who realize that life is a thrilling ride for us to enjoy. Messes and challenges are all part of the adventure and can be taken in stride, without a grinding need to try to control every aspect. Since total control of life is doomed to failure anyway, (we all die), the sooner we can get into the flow, the happier we are.
There have been numerous articles here in the states about all the drug-resistant germs that are proliferating because of all the anti-bacterial products that are being marketed here. People are ‘buying into’ this totally-sanitary-hoopla and trying to make their homes a sterile environment. And it is backfiring BIG TIME! Unfortunately, most people are missing the point that frequent and thorough handwashing is the best deterrent to spreading germs.
I am all for good stewardship, which is why I take such excellent care of my animals, but I don’t delude myself that extra vigilance will take any of us past our alloted time. (We do have several furbabies that are 18 years and older!)
I’ve had several near-death experiences so I’ve had ample opportunity to ponder the next life. One thing I would like my obituary to say is “She loved life and all living things. She will be missed.” NOT “She kept her home and environment so clean you could eat off the floor”. There was a time in my life when that Might have been part of my obituary, but, thank goodness, I learned the error of my ways.
Happy Camper,
Brennan
It is unfortunate that Mackie is banned from the car. I am sure that in the case of any emergency this would change. As no headway was made on this front, perhaps they might consider the purchase of a second vehicle in order to accomodate his trips to the park and any other “messy” uses. I know people who do have older trucks specifically to accomodate the transportation for their dogs, albiet large dogs, taking trips to the dump etc. Seems to me that this may be a viable option for them to look at.
Hi Doc,
This from fellow Canadian down here in New Mexico.
Tell your Mother-in-Law she can buy this great dog trailer I had built for my Newfie in prep for his big TTA knee surgeries.
There was no way he was going to be able to jump into my PT Cruiser (and no way I could lift his 160lbs)after the surgery so had it built just for him.
Now I bought a conversion van and with a sturdy, home built ramp (as the metal ones are too wobbly and he refuses them)he gets up into it with a bit of a running start.
At any rate, I rarely use the trailer and have een thinking of selling it!!!
Hi Dr. Jones,
Could a partial solution be to have FIL get a cheap used car so he could take Mackie on drives and maybe to dog park to walk. Then the dog would get to go in a car and both would get walks.
MIL must feel very strongly about having a new car that is not full of dog fur, etc. Some people do want their things to be just so. Of course I don’t understand this being a Basset Hound slave.
Mary
NOT FAIR!!!! Isn’t it a FAMILY car??? If it is just hers, she needs to get another car for Mackie and your father-in-law to go places in. How would she like it if someone suddenly took away HER freedom?? There are SO MANY options that would make this work out, she is not being fair or reasonable.
There is no reason for not letting the dog ride in the car even if it is new. We have always let our dogs ride in our new cars and today they have so many new things for dog and cats so they will be safe in the car. She should get a seat cover and the new car harnesses that they have you can seat belt the dog in and they are comfortable for the dog and they can not run all over the car. They also have a thing that goes on the back seat that you can strap in a smaller dog or cat and they can look out the back window since you did not say how big the dog was I put in both securities for the animals
Perhaps mackie needs to bury her car keys…….
I have a plaque in my kitchen that says,
“Lord Please Help Me to Keep My Home Dirty Enough to be Happy and Clean Enough to be Healthy.”
Personally, I’m starting to think your MIL sees this as a power trip at this point, meaning to change her mind means she loses position,authority,possibly even respect.(In her view) That “I’m the doc” thing wouldn’t work, but instead make her more stubborn as if you are
trying to userp her authority. My dad would have said, “You may be the president, I’m STILL YOUR FATHER and what I say GOES in this house!” (He was very European) Again, I think she’s more afraid of losing control and authority than it is about the dog at this point.
BTW, I STILL say you had better discuss this in depth and come to an agreed upon position with your wife. She was raised by that woman and your MIL is your wife’s example of how wives and mothers should act and be treated. TRUST ME.
It will be BETTER to start this NOW than when it
is an issue between you two.
Not knowing family dynamics, it’s hard to suggest anything…but depending on who your wife is most like (mom or dad) she would be better in approaching her.
Have an “intervention” LOL (just kidding).
Actually, taking the dog with you might not be
so bad….did the MIL have any say in picking OUT this dog? Let me ask you this….does she LIKE Mackie?? Does SHE spend any time with him?
I once stayed out on the porch until nearly midnight with just a light jacket in late OCT
until my dog was allowed to spend the night indoors (in the basement, but at least warm).
Maybe a large CRATE for Mackie…then he’s not really in the car, he’s in the crate and the crate is in the car. (No chance of mess)??
The BEST things in LIFE are messy, starting with
mud puddles and dancing in the rain when you are little to food to sex. She’s missing out on so much! I’m surprised she had and raised CHILDREN!
(bet it was fun growing up in that house)
And if her husband stops walking the dog
and staying healthy, (God forbid HE should get ill
where it’s messy!) she’ll be a widow in a nice clean home all by herself. Again, SAD.
Hello Dr. Jones,
When my late husband was dying of Pancreatic Cancer, he ask me to get him a DOG. I took him to pick it out. He Loved that DOG. Please ask your Mother-in-law, What is important to your husband’s happiness. When her Husband Dies, She will be so sorry that she did not allow the
Dog in the car. Tell her Please Think about this. When he is gone, it will be to late. I wish my husband was her with me every day.
You know…. your MIL reminds me of a joke a
(canadian) friend told me once:
This guy was on a cruise, laying out in the sun.
He looks over at the guy next to him who is also
alone on deck and says,
“Hey you want to play a little shuffleboard?”
The guy responds,
“No thanks, tried it once, didn’t like it”.
Some time goes by and again the 1st man asks,
“Well then, how about going inside to shoot a little pool”
Again, the reply is,
“No thanks, tried it once, didn’t like it.”
After some more time passes, a boy walks up and
stands by the 2nd man, wanting his attention.
The 1st man says, “Your son??”
The 2nd guy says, “Yes, he is.”
The 1st replies, “An only child, I presume??”
Hi Andrew, I´ve just discovered you via the net (I´ve also now just got ADSL which is SO liberating!) and just wanted to say what a JOY it is to see a vet like you exists! I feel exactly the same as you about animals in the house, to me they ARE my family.. and I´d rather a slightly furry messy house than a pristine place with no animal soul in evidence! I hope you sort things out OK in your new home, and can have your furry family near you where they belong.. and good luck with your MIL. I´m lucky because I can do what I like on that score, I live in the middle of a natural spot in Spain and no MIL or anti-pet partner to cramp my furry family’s style. I have such a similar outlook to you I just wish you could be my local vet, but I´ll just have to make do with your internet presence! I´ve never been one to follow conventional ways for the sake of it.. and I really appreciate your honest unconventional approach and generosity of heart letting us all know how to care for our pets even better at home…Your heart is in the right place! it´s great that you´re not like all those other vets that I´ve felt uncomfortable about for years! Good luck with the MIL car and the new home issues! And thanks for being YOU! Louisa :0)
http://www.freewebs.com/cloudninemaltesepuppies and http://www.freewebs.com/louisalivingstone
As a fellow animal lover/companion (I don’t like the term “Owner” 😉 & a former “Automotive Detailer” I would highly recommend “Scotchguarding” the interior of any car on a semi regular basis. I’ve been able to take road tar & worse off of upholstery even on older cars that have NEVER been treated with this solution previously.
After HUNDREDS of vehicles passing through my care, I can say this is pure gold!!! At worse, you may have to gently scrub it with a fine (light) brush before patting the surfaces dry with a few paper towels or clean rags. Our dealership was offering this as an incentive for owners to have their cars serviced at the place they’d bought them. I was personally able to bring the worst stains back to “factory” condition. I’m not certain if this would solve ALL odour problems, but there are other treatments (Febreeze) which could be applied after the “Scotchguard” has had a dys drying time, with no ill effects.
I hope that helps! Thank you for all the information you’ve posted/E-Mailed through your site… it has been VERY helpful.
All the best & have a great one!
;D.
I agree with all who said the father-in-law should get a car or truck for the dogs. I have friends who won’t ride in my car ’cause they might get dog fur on their clothes. (We have an 11 yr.old long-haired GSD…..fur is an every day clothing acessory in our house) Well, I’m sorry, but our boy Kato goes in our car as often as he can. He’s a very important part of the family. Love me…love my dog. If my friend and I want to go somewhere, we go in HER car and she avoids the fur!
I have the following poem on my refrigerator you might enjoy:
FUR CARE
My furs are not in storage
Or draped across my bed.
They’re standing at the back door,
Waiting to be fed!! (Author- Lynn Hartsell)
Given an ultimatum in our family…the dog would definitely win out over the opposing members ! 🙂
I feel real sorry for your father-in-law, being dominated by such an unfeeling woman! Evidently her new car is more important to her than her dog, and it evidently gives her more pleasure and joy. Perhaps the dog is really her husband’s, and she barely tolerates it. My cars are always dogmobiles, I have such fun with my dogs, taking them to training classes, dog shows, camping trips etc. Some of my friends complain about the doggy smell, but they don’t have to ride in my car if they don’t like it! Of course the dogs also share my home, they are wonderful companions, and guards – a relevant point here in Kenya.
moter-in-law could buy a booster seat for mackie and a bottle of refresh for her.
Who’s car is it anyway and is your Dad-in-law a man or a mouse. Sounds like my sister who is definately a Stetford Wife, so I can’t visit her with my dogs. She does cleaning for a living and gave up one job because they had a dog, saying they make too much mess, “please”.
Don’t think your Mum-in-Law really likes dogs. If the Dad-in-law agrees to keep the car in pristine condition, then she is just being unreasonable and needs a good talking too.
Does she know that the whole world is looking at her?
Jacquie.
My “girls” (two Shih Tzus) have their own car seats and love going for rides! Recently I purchased a newer car (2004) and the first thing I did was put a blanket on the seat and strapped in the doggie seats.
I’m sure Mackie will eventually make it into the backseat of the car once the newness of the car wears out. How can anyone resist the sad face of a dog who is used to going for rides. 🙂
Here’s the link to a story I read where dogs don’t make us happy, they make us healthy:
http://lubbockonline.com/stories/073108/liv_311691187.shtml
Maybe you could print off a copy and mail it to your Mother-in-law” 🙂
Don’t forget the doggie boots….the mother in law will appreciate your efforts…:-)
Isn’t Mackie part of the family? We have 2 Shih Tzu’s and they are much as part (or maybe more) of the family than the humans. They certainly get more attention! For goodness sake, it’s only a car! Mackie is family.
Have a good one.
I agree it is not about the dog. Dishes,clothes, and floors get dirty.She has to clean those everyday. What is the difference with a dog. You just clean the hair out of the car.
At this point she has her heels dug in. For her to give in is an admission of being wrong, with the rest of you being right. She sounds like a got to be right. She will change only if someone could convince her it is really her idea or maybe if she got booed buy a large group of people. Try to get her on the Dr. Phil show He will get her help free of charge
We have a 4 year old Irishsetter and he goes
with us in a car and truck all the time.
We just got back from a 1000 mile trip to
Spokane Washington, where our children gave us
a 50th Anniversary party and of course we took
Marshell with us. Just put his blanklet on the
truck seat to protect the leather seats and his
water and food bowl on the floor with a plastic
bag under his bowls to protect the carpeting.
We have a crewcab truck so Marshell has his
own seat. He loves to travel, I can’t believe
your mother in law, I wonder does she treat her
grand children the way she treats her dog?
We have had rottweilers for over 27 years and since we only had sons, our rotties were my “daughters” and have been all these years. Yes, we have had to put 2 down, and one died in my arms, we now have one of the older ones left and two young pups. They go every where we go, people accept that – they stay in our bedroom when we get to where we go in Colo, as our friends know these dogs are never away from ushere in AZ. So for the MIL to say no, she is being very selfish and self-centered right now not to let the FIL take the dog in the car with him to go for walks like they did before. If something did happen to the FIL, would she give the dog up, or would she cling to the dog because the FIL loved the dog so much?? The MIL needs to think about some things instead of just herself.
There are many great products out there to keep your car seats protected now, so that isn’t the real reason. A 2nd car is the answer, unless they can’t afford it, then the MIL just needs to allow the dog in the car and stop this foolishness.
i now all about dellemmas like this and have probably had very similar arguments with my various family members i have a siberian malamute cross that weighs 85 lbs and sheds a lot (garbagebags full if shes not grumed regularly)and sinse my car has no airconditioning and i live in a desert i have to beg for rids from family members who are lucky enough to have ac so is the vehicle that your family usesmbig enough for mackie to be in a crate while he is in the car and what exactly are her complaints about having mackie in the car is it the hair is it because she thinks he barks too much does he get carsick does he track dirt in the car maybe if you could find out what the problem is more specifically you could find a solution easyer and if she still doesnt let him ride in her car why not try to figure out a schedual to where whoever is walking mackie has use of one of your vehicles to take him in you could also try getting your mother in law more involved with the dog and try including her in more descisions on the dogs care and exercise if she already isnt giving her a better understanding though personal experiance instead of just explaining it to her might make a big diffrence if done properly