Entitled fiancée gets large dog, gets upset when mother-in-law refuses to pet sit daily while working retail 30 hours a week: 'I don't have the time or energy'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Sep 4, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

Given the amount of dedication it takes to have a dog as a pet and give it a decent quality of life, it is a wonder that anybody dealing with the stresses of existing in modern society has one at all. Care, attention, and training need to be present all the time if a dog is going to be a calm and happy member of a household, and that can be difficult when their owners work full-time.

Nonetheless, plenty of dog owners are so determined to have their canine friends in their lives that they find a way to make it work. Increasingly often, this involves adding a dog walker or pet sitter to their daily routine. Much like with babysitting, if they are especially lucky, they might find a generous family member who is willing to do it for free. However, it is wrong to assume that a relative will happily move their schedule around just to look after somebody else's dog, no matter what they have going on.

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  • 01
    closeup of a woman petting a husky dog
    via Andrej Lišakov (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • In this story, a future mother-in-law felt annoyed when her son's fiancée demanded that she pet sit the large dog that the couple had recently acquired every day while they were at work. The mom refused, as she worked a retail job up to 30 hours a week and did not feel prepared to handle a dog every single day while juggling her other responsibilities.

    Her daughter-in-law was offended and claimed that she should be OK with the arrangement as she wasn't working full-time. Her son accused her of making his partner feel unwelcome in the family, and she wanted confirmation that she had been within her rights to refuse.

  • 02

    Am I wrong for telling my son’s fiancée I’m not a free dog-sitter just because I work 'part-time'?

    I'm 50F, divorced, work retail (25-30 hours a week), and live alone. My son (28) is getting married next year to a woman (26) who I'm still getting to know. She's nice, but a little... entitled, if I'm being honest.
    via AfroVenus
  • 03
    a woman sits on a bench in the snow, petting a husky
    via Andrej Lišakov (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 04
    They recently got a dog, a big one with high- energy aand I've been asked to watch him "just while they're both at work." I said no, I don't have the time or energy to deal with a large dog every day. It's ok once or twice a month but not every day..
    via AfroVenus
  • 05
    Her response? “Well I just thought since you're not really working full-time, it wouldn't be a big deal." I told her I may not sit at a desk 9 to 5, but I am working, I have my own life, and I'm not a built-in pet service. My son tried to smooth it over, but now she's clearly cold with me and says I made her feel "unwelcome in the family." AITA for not wanting to be their unpaid dog nanny all the time?
    via AfroVenus
  • 06
    a brightly lit aisle in a supermarket
    via Nathália Rosa
  • 07

    Commenters assured her that she wasn't the one in the wrong.

    isitpurple ΝΤΑ It doesn't matter how many hours you work. It's YOUR life. Your kid is grown with his own life, too. Did she expect you to be at their beck n call?
    via isitpurple
  • 08
    wanderer866 NTA, and be prepared for the "making her feel unwelcome" line to come out each time you don't give her whatever she wants.
    via wanderer866
  • 09
    Grab YourBrewPodcast NTA If you wanted to commit to a dog, you would have your own. You have your own life, and it's irrelevant whether you are full or part-time...its your life! You don't live to cater to others. She sounds very entitled. Has your son said anything about it?
    via GrabYourBrewPodcast
  • 10
    National Pension_110 Oh boy. This is gonna be a long road, isn't it? I'm sorry for what you're about to face —this one interaction is quite the harbinger. NTA and good luck.
    via National_Pension_110
  • 11
    WantToBelievelnMagic Tell your son that his fiancé disrespected you, and as soon as she apologizes, you will be happy to move on. If she seems confused by your stand, have your son explain that it is best that everyone understand from the outset that you are no doormat and won't be treated like paid staff.
    via WantToBelieveInMagic
  • 12
    ApartCheesecake7623 Dogs in general need lots of training and large ones need even more. They bought a dog knowing they wouldn't be around to care for it. NTA. Irresponsible and cruel on both of them though. Doesn't matter if you didn't work at all. Not your pet, not your decision to buy large dog. Expect more of this in your future if and when they have kids.
    via ApartCheesecake7623
  • 13
    Also, while your son's SO is saying this, she purchased the dog WITH your son. Your son was on board with the plan to have you watch the dog and seems like he only interceded because SO pushed when you said no. Your son didn't actually have your back if he didn't shut that down as too much to ask before it was even brought to you.
    via ApartCheesecake7623
  • 14
    jleek9 NTA- did she forget that they have jobs when they got the dog? Take it back if they can't properly care for it!
    via jleek9
  • 15
    traciw67 Nta. She's entitled and r de. And will probably expect you to quit your job and be her full-time nanny if they have a baby. It's good you put her in her place!
    via traciw67
  • 16
    Mrnole2u Not just entitled but also manipulative. Your son is marrying a loser
    via Mrnole2u
  • 17
    UltimatePragmatist Just once, someone should say, "yes, you are unwelcome, now."
    via UltimatePragmatist
  • 18
    zzzeve I would say "if I wanted a dog, I would have one"
    via zzzeve
  • 19
    fvirygothmom no she a b , i would never do/say this to my MIL. imagine they had kids? would they just full time dump the kids on you? not your responsibility
    via fvirygothmom
  • 20
    JHawk444 Working retail means you're on your feet the whole time, which is harder physically than a 9-5 office job where you're sitting down. You shouldn't have to chase after someone else's dog when you get home. If feeling welcome is contingent on you watching her dog, she will never feel welcome. Tell your son you don't have the energy for this and you're hurt she's now being cold to you because you won't do free things for her.
    via JHawk444
  • 21
    Careless-Ability-748 nta that's an obnoxious request.
    via Careless-Ability-748
  • 22
    day-dreamersins69 Fiancée is being manipulative. The audacity to assume op doesn't have a life or plans for how to utilize their own time. NTA
    via day-dreamersins69
  • 23
    Random LifeUnit-05 NTA. You need to set boundaries hard with this woman. She's a spoiled brat. Making her feel unwelcome in the family? Pfft, no, she's just pouting that you didn't let her use you.
    via RandomLifeUnit-05
  • 24
    CallingThatBS They got a dog you didn't, NTA!
    via CallingThatBS

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family drama daughter in law dogs aita pets pet sitter mother in law family reddit thread Reddit pet sitting fiancee son entitled people
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