"I'm not leaving my dog with a stranger": Grandfather threatens to skip granddaughter’s christening unless anxious dog can come too, risking drama at newborn's big day

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 13, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Howdy and happy Sunday, animal fam. We're currently curled up next to our pupper on the couch, and later today we're going to take our doggo for a nice, long walk. This walk will consist of only dog-appropriate places, like the dog park, the beach, and of course, their favorite dog store where they get a tasty treat for being such a good girl. We will not be taking our doggo to any of these places: a church, a funeral, or a museum. These are not places where it's okay to bring a dog, and we accept that. She also doesn't really like impressionist art, anyway.

However, not everyone seems to get that you don't have to bring your dog everywhere. The grandfather in this post refused to leave his anxious dog at home and insisted on bringing it to his granddaughter's christening, despite the parents' wishes. He even threatened to skip it altogether, risking drama at the newborn's big day. Scroll down for more doggie drama!

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  • 01

    [Am I wrong] for not allowing inlaws to bring their dog to my babies christening?

    'I feel like it is disgraceful to be putting a dog before your one and only granddaughter's christening'
    via Mary Swift

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I already have a strained relationship with in-laws as they have a history of overstepping boundaries and telling lies. We cut off contact for a few years but my fiance wanted to try again when we were having our baby hoping they would behave better.
    via cusbismcraft

  • We like to think that people can change. And they can, but it usually happens over a long period of time and only after something significant happens. They won't just wake up one day and all of a sudden be different people.

  • 03
    We notified them we are having a christening for our baby girl and she will be 5 months on the day. We insisted that they put their very anxious, large jumpy dog in a kennels for the day, (frankly i am under the believe that you can never trust a dog no matter how
    via cusbismcraft
  • 04
    good and loving they are and their will be alot of people and children present, I love animals and have had dogs growing up myself) they agreed and even said it was a good idea as a trial as they will be getting married in the coming
    via cusbismcraft
  • 05
    months and so dog will need to be in kennels for their ceremony. They followed up a few weeks later saying that it had been. booked and even made a point of how the kennels "wanted to know everything with proof about the dog" (of course they did.. they're a kennels and need to protect the dogs?)
    via cusbismcraft
  • 06
    Cheezburger Image 10527699712
    via PushishDonhongsa

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 07
    Months later the christening is 2 weeks away and my partner is suddenly admitted to A&E with a heart issue, his dad turns up and in passing small talk says "oh, dog will be coming along to the christening. We wasn't able to get her into a kennels but I've already
    via cusbismcraft
  • 08
    called the party venue and they've said its fine" I feel like this was a strong arm to having us agree, my partner refuses and tells them to look in an alternative area, the dog isn't coming
    via cusbismcraft
  • 09
    A week before the christening I have a bad feeling about it and we contact again and ask, they say they can't get her into kennels as she hasn't been vaccinated for kennels cough. My partner says he had the number for a dog sitter and his father says "I'm not
    via cusbismcraft
  • 10
    leaving my dog with a stranger". (Futher proof they had no intention?) We offered to house the dog in a ventilated covered room in the back of our house away from ourcat as it will be a very hot day and they've just completely ignored this offer, our
    via cusbismcraft
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10527697664
    via Sam Edwards

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 12
    home is maybe a 2 minute walk from the venue so he can check on her regularly. When my partner put his foot down the father tried to guilt him by saying one of them will have to miss the christening.
    via cusbismcraft

  • Parents pawsitively love to play the guilt card. It was probably played by their parents a lot, so it makes sense that it would be a well-sed tool in their toolbox. We hope we never guilt our children into anything.

  • 13
    I feel this is a very weird demand, I've never known anyone to never be able to leave their dog for any amount of time (they have taken the dog to funerals before), they want to have the dog in 29 degree weather but it was "too hot" for the dog to visit our daughter a few weeks back
    via cusbismcraft
  • 14
    Father in law ended conversation with "at the end of the day she's been a part of the family for 3 years.." Am I being cruel? I feel like it is disgraceful to be putting a dog before your one and only granddaughters christening?
    via cusbismcraft
  • 15
    Extra details; We have to keep asking them, they won't tell us when they've not been able to arrange anything
    via cusbismcraft
  • 16
    The father in law said he will keep leaving the ceremony to check the dog The venue is semi outdoors and will be 29 degree sunny weather (uk)
    via cusbismcraft
  • 17
    MelluraDoss • 23h ago . NTA and if they're willing to miss their granddaughter's christening over a dog, let them. Their loss, not yours.
    via MelluraDoss
  • 18
    • Hot_Chocolate92 · 23h ago Dogs do not belong at christenings. The fact they seem to think this is normal is delusional and narcissistic behaviour.
    via Hot_Chocolate92
  • 19
    peachprincessmoon 23h ago . You're not being cruel it's completely reasonable to prioritize your baby's safety and comfort over accommodating a dog at a formal family event.
    via peachprincessmoon
  • 20
    . Maleficent_Draft_564 23h ago NTAH + It's time for you and your husband to drop the rope again but for good this time. These people have shown you that they will never change.
    via Maleficent_Draft_564
  • 21
    Sea_Doughnut_6787 22h ago You're not the AH. It's your baby's christenin, amd it's totally reasonable to not want a large, anxious dog at a hot, crowded event. Your in-laws agreed at first but are now
    via Sea_Doughnut_6787
  • 22
    guilt-tripping and trying to push their way. You offered a fair compromise, amd they refused. If they miss the christening becoz of their dog, that's their choice, not your fault.
    via Sea_Doughnut_6787
  • 23
    Classic-Wafer-7838 22h ago NTA. • It's a situation of their own making if they can't find - someone to look after the dog, and they can't leave it alone for a couple of hours, then yes, one or both of them will have to
    via Classic-Wafer-7838
  • 24
    miss the Christening. You've given them plenty of options and they're being ridiculous. I feel like it's just to prove some kind of weird point, like a "nobody tells me what to do" thing.
    via Classic-Wafer-7838
  • 25
    I definitely empathise, OP. My parents live abroad and have two large, anxious dogs. One of my sisters is planning her wedding, and my dad is planning on missing his own daughter's wedding to stay at
    via Classic-Wafer-7838
  • 26
    home with the dogs because they refuse to consider finding a pet sitter. I've even offered to fly over there and look after the dogs so my sister can have both her parents at her wedding, but that's not good enough either, apparently.
    via Classic-Wafer-7838
  • 27
    Working_Cloud_909 22h ago I love dogs. I don't like dog people. You don't have to bring your dog everywhere. NTA.
    via Working_Cloud_909
  • 28
    Rainy 579 22h ago . Are these people crazy? On what planet do you get to take your dog to these events? Their unvaccinated dog?? You're definitely NTA, these people are...just wow
    via Rainy579

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dogs anxious stranger granddaughter grandparents newborn dog owners animals
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