Ask Amy | No dogs allowed in their house

Dear Amy:

My husband and I decided a long time ago that we didn't want pets. We keep a very clean house, and although we both like dogs and cats, we decided that it was too much work to clean up after them.

We live hundreds of miles away from our nearest relatives. This means that our guests usually end up staying for a while. When they come to visit, they often bring dogs. We are more then happy to let the dogs stay in the heated garage, but we often receive requests to allow dogs in the house.

We are starting to feel guilty about our policy. Our visitors' feelings are important to us. Is our "No Dogs Allowed" rule unreasonable?

Dear Second-Guessing: Most people consider their pets to be family members. So when you say, "We'd be happy to have Muffin stay in our heated garage," your guests hear: "We'd be happy to have Grandma stay out in the garage with our Jeep Cherokee and weed-whacker."

A heated garage certainly beats an unheated garage in terms of accommodations, but dogs have anxieties, as well as health and safety issues about their surroundings - just as people do. Muffin needs light, fresh air, water and access to people and the outdoors.

You might be able to modify your garage so that it is welcoming and dog friendly. It should be clean, safe of all hazards (chemical and mechanical), and accessible to the outdoors. Otherwise, locate a well-run nearby kennel where your houseguests can take their dog to doggy camp and visit each day.

Your "no dogs" rule isn't unreasonable, but you need to realize that you may have fewer houseguests unless you can help them to accommodate their beloved pets during visits.