WWYD? MIL dogstting

[covergirl82]

MIL is dogsitting this weekend (DH's idea) while we're out of town at a baseball tournament.  My parents usually take care of our dog when we're OOT, but they are OOT themselves this weekend.  The one and only other time MIL watched our dog was when our dog was a puppy, and MIL gave her half of an Rx strength sedative because our dog was being "rambunctious."  (Of course she had a lot of energy, she was a puppy.)  It made our dog sick for a day.  Thankfully she lived.  MIL never told us about this event, but we found out about it months later from other family who had heard about it.

I have a lot of trust issues with MIL (you never know when she's actually telling the truth) and I'm concerned about MIL 1) actually taking care of our dog and 2) not destroying something in the house while we're gone.  So, I was thinking about getting an Echo Spot just for the weekend so I can drop in and see what's going on.  (I already plan to put our cash-on-hand stash and some of my jewelry in the safe.)  Good idea, yay or nay?  WWYD?  (And unfortunately, I don't think it's an option to not have MIL take care of our dog.) 

[k3am]

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. The fact that you want to buy a device to spy on her speaks volumes. Have you looked into dogvacay? My friend's been watching dogs for people through it for years and it's kind of ridiculous the length she goes to.. those dogs live like kings and most of her customers are repeats.

[librarychica]

Jun 24, 2019 13:43:47 GMT -5 k3am said:

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. The fact that you want to buy a device to spy on her speaks volumes. Have you looked into dogvacay? My friend's been watching dogs for people through it for years and it's kind of ridiculous the length she goes to.. those dogs live like kings and most of her customers are repeats.

Same. One parent wouldn’t go if there was no alternative to MIL.

[cosmowife]

Why can’t you board the dog somewhere?

[186momx]

Ditto k3am,
I wouldn't go if you are that worried and thinking about installing video surveillance. Send DH with DS and the rest of you stay home. Is there anyway you could take the dog with you and just have a dog friendly hotel?

We take our lab with us if we can. Otherwise my parents will watch her if we go on an extended vacation. I also have a neighbor who will come over and let her out/feed her if we are just having a long day trip.

[madringal]

I don't get it. How are you getting a Spot for just the weekend? And is it really going to tell you anything? You can't hear her give the dog a sedative or anything.

[mommyatty]

If you really can’t get out of letting her dog sit, what about getting an electronic lock? First of all, they are cool. Second, you could monitor when she uses her code to get in. Lastly, you can limit her use of the code to the days she’s supposed to be watching the dog. In other words, no fear she will copy the key because you shut off her key after you’re back.

[mustardseed2007]

Jun 24, 2019 15:14:43 GMT -5 madringal said:

I don't get it. How are you getting a Spot for just the weekend? And is it really going to tell you anything? You can't hear her give the dog a sedative or anything.

This was my thought as well. The Spot is not getting you where you need to be. 

[waverly]

I would board the dog or hire a dog sitter for your home. You don’t trust her and don’t think she will do a good job. Throw some money at the problem or find a neighbor kid. Sounds like Anyone else would be better than her.

[covergirl82]

Thanks all! I will ask the summer babysitter if she can watch our dog instead. Now that she's been with our dog for a couple weeks, our dog is comfortable with her, and I'd feel better about her being there than MIL. And DH will just have to deal with it (and his mom).

[ECB]

I'm glad to see you have another option - possibly. But you also need to talk to DH about this. After what his mom did before, why would he ask her this time? "Family" only goes so far when you can't trust a person!