A mum has called out her brother after he asked her to "get rid" of her dogs due to the fact that his daughter is allergic.
The woman and her husband "got two dogs" approximately six months ago but were unaware at the time that their niece is seriously allergic to dogs.
Due to feeling left out after not being able to visit her aunt's home with the rest of her cousins, her dad asked his sister if she would consider giving away the pets.
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Taking to parenting forum Mumsnet to ask for advice, the mum wrote: "My husband and I don't have to work that many hours and when we do they're from home so it puts us in a good position to help our siblings and watch their kids. My husband has one sister with two children. I have a brother, with two children. A sister with three children.
"I also have a younger half brother with one child. My husband and I also have a son. So nine kids all together between the ages 4-12. They’re usually not here all at the same time, but they all do come over often. Sort of a mix and match depending on various schedules. They all seem to have a fun time (in their words we have the “fun house”) and our son loves to socialise with his cousins.
"Almost half a year ago we got two dogs. All the kids were very excited and have enjoyed playing with them. Unfortunately we found out that my one niece (Gemma) is allergic to dogs."
She continued: "She’s never been around a dog much before so neither she nor her parents knew about the allergy. It is not just a mild allergy either. She doesn’t just get sniffles she actually started wheezing and had trouble breathing.
"We have tried to do things to minimise allergens in our home. However it is very difficult because of our home is fully carpeted. Regular vacuuming did nothing. We got an air purifier and steam cleaned our carpets before she came over one time and kept the dogs outside for the day and it worked, but of course after a day the dog dander had gotten everywhere and we were back to square one.
"We decided this wasn’t a viable option to do on a regular basis because of the cost and the increased amount of wear and tear. It also leaves the majority of our house unusable while we waited for the carpet to dry.
"My brother and sister-in-law (Gemma’s parents) have taken her to the doctor to try different medications to help with her allergies. The problem is Gemma already takes medication for a different medical issue and it interferes with a lot of allergy medicines. They’ve tried some other things suggested by her doctor, but nothing really helps."
She added: "My brother has asked that we get rid of our dogs because Gemma had a fit the other day. She’s upset that she hasn’t been able to come over to the “fun house” and play with her cousins all these months while they still come over all the time. My brother thinks that we are causing her to feel left out by not getting rid of the dogs.
"I understand how unfair it must feel for Gemma, but neither me or my husband or son want to get rid of our dogs. They’re part of the family now. We have become very attached to them. Especially our son. He would cry his eyes out if they had to be given up.
"It’s not like we can stop watching the other kids to make Gemma feel less excluded either. Our siblings don’t have it as easy as us and they need the help sometimes."
Before long, the post had received dozens of responses from fellow Mumsnet users. There was a range of opinions on the matter, though the majority felt that the woman's brother was being "unreasonable".
One said: "Of course you can’t get rid of your dogs to please one child who isn’t yours. You can try your very best to make other special time with Gemma, though - arrange some trips out of the house, or arrange to watch her and the cousins at your brother’s house instead?"
A second shared: "What a terrible situation. I think starting with the idea that there is no right answer is how I'd proceed. You can't rehome the dogs. That would be terrible for you, your son and the dogs. But poor Gemma."
Another was more aggressive, commenting: "Tough. They are totally unreasonable asking you to re-home the dogs."
A fourth echoed: "I think the problem is that you've become the family childcare and they feel entitled to that. Absolutely unreasonable to ask you to get rid of your dog."
"Absolutely not it's embarrassing they would even ask you to do that," agreed a fifth.
A sixth posted: "Re-home your dogs ?? That is the height of cheek and entitlement. Managing her allergies and child care arrangements are up to her parents, not you. You are NOT being unreasonable."
However, others felt that asking the woman to give away her pets for the sake of her niece's health was reasonable, with one stating: "Bye bye dogs! My nieces and nephews will always come first over any animal. It isn’t a mild allergy either that she has."
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