[Pickle-junkie-Jim]

I know you actually already know the answer ... friends respect each other (even new one's), so it's either going to be a friendship or an acquaintance ... simply be truthful and share your feelings.

[jebartle]

you could wear socks when you visit and tell a little white lie about allergies!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by bluedog103

Sounds like you've answered your own question. You don't like being around the dog, you don't like taking off your shoes and socks (I've never been asked to remove my socks, that's weird), you don't want to entertain all the time in your home, they don't like to eat out. You don't want to tell them you have a problem with their dog and their request that you remove your foot covering.
Sounds like this friendship is over. Move on and don't worry about it. Life is too short.

Great response from Bluedog! The friendship doesn't sound like a really good "fit". There are so many wonderful people in TV, just move on and don't worry about it.

[hulahips]

I did just ask my husband about the last time we were there. He said he spoke to the husband and asked him if they ever take the dog to the dog park and the husband said NO, we just let the dog run around the front yard.
thanks for responses. I just hate the fact the friendship may not work out because of a dog. Kind of sad.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by hulahips

I did just ask my husband about the last time we were there. He said he spoke to the husband and asked him if they ever take the dog to the dog park and the husband said NO, we just let the dog run around the front yard.
thanks for responses. I just hate the fact the friendship may not work out because of a dog. Kind of sad.

Yes, I agree it is sad, if you really like these people, except for the dog and sock issues. But can't you be honest and just ask them to put the dog in another room because he makes you feel uncomfortable? I always lock our dogs in a bedroom if we're expecting company (although most of my pals have dogs themselves and bring them over). But I wouldn't mind at all if someone said to me, "Can you please put your darn dog in another room?"

[hulahips]

oh barefoot you made me chuckle on that one. I can see if I say "Could you put your dam dog in another room that will go over well" lol I feel at my age I shouldn't be teaching others proper etiquette lol I don't have patience to teach anyone common sense at this age. I hate the fact the relationship will be strained and somewhere down the road I'm sure I will have to say something. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by hulahips

oh barefoot you made me chuckle on that one. I can see if I say "Could you put your dam dog in another room that will go over well" lol I feel at my age I shouldn't be teaching others proper etiquette lol I don't have patience to teach anyone common sense at this age. I hate the fact the relationship will be strained and somewhere down the road I'm sure I will have to say something. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

If you were my alleged "friend" your problem would be solved. You're right, you shouldn't be teaching "ettiquette" and "common sense". For me, the proper way to handle this would have been to discuss it with your "friend" rather than airing it on a public message board.

I kind of think that your relationship will no longer be strained and down the road won't be an issue.

The dog is a part of the family, the shoe thing is her house rule. HER HOUSE, HER RULES, you don't have to agree with it or like it. You don't have to go there, but you should respect her rules.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by hulahips

oh barefoot you made me chuckle on that one. I can see if I say "Could you put your dam dog in another room that will go over well" lol I feel at my age I shouldn't be teaching others proper etiquette lol I don't have patience to teach anyone common sense at this age. I hate the fact the relationship will be strained and somewhere down the road I'm sure I will have to say something. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Maybe, you should watch the show Dogs in the City and then mention casually your friend's dog in a kind of funny way. The new show deals with dogs that have behavior issues. Usually because of some bad training habits of the dog owners. Dogs In The City - CBS.com

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Patty55

If you were my alleged "friend" your problem would be solved. You're right, you shouldn't be teaching "ettiquette" and "common sense". For me, the proper way to handle this would have been to discuss it with your "friend" rather than airing it on a public message board.

I kind of think that your relationship will no longer be strained and down the road won't be an issue.

The dog is a part of the family, the shoe thing is her house rule. HER HOUSE, HER RULES, you don't have to agree with it or like it. You don't have to go there, but you should respect her rules.

I feel that this is very sound advise. If discussing the situation with your friend doesn't work, then I think that reassessing having them as a freind is in order! If this problem can't be resolved with them now, then you're more likely to have other unresolvable issues in the future than you'd care to have!

[tommy steam]

[QUOTE=hulahips;502423]I understand the "our house" and restaurant idea however don't think it will work. I don't always want to entertain and like to switch homes when we play games which we do. They don't like to eat out so that is a problem. I can't be the one to entertain all the time to avoid their home. The shoe situation is bafling because as a dog owner who lets their dog run all over yard and then jump all over their carpet Why am I being asked to remove shoes?? I could see if they didn't own a dog but they do and he drags in more dirt than I do. Even when stopping over for Five minites I'm expected to remove my socks and shoes to step on to an older carpet that the dog is roaming all over. I hate to ruin this friendship but I don't know what options I have. I either have to be frank which I don't enjoy or keep coming up with excuses NOT to stop over ??[/QUOTJust

I would look for new friends ...there are tons in TV..........jumping dogs shoes off..not too friendly.

[jmm2760jmm]

I like dogs, but that is rude and just plan bad manners. I would not go back....and if they ask you why you're keeping your distance, tell them. There must be plenty of nice people in TV that have better manners when hosting guests than what you've experienced.

[zonerboy]

Hulahips, it's obvious the no shoes or socks policy and the ill behaved, licking dog issues are making you uncomfortable. But you don't want to end the "friendship" cause that would make you feel guilty.
So why don't you just be frank and tell them that their dog's behavior is offensive to you. That puts the ball in their court. They can either choose to do something about the dog, or THEY can back away from the friendship because they choose not to deal with issues that are important to a friend.
That's my opinion.

[janmcn]

Are these the same people that you were complaining about last week with the dropping tree leaves in your driveway? These could be unsurmountable problems.

[hulahips]

No not same people at all. the leaves are neighbors. these are fairly new friends. I think I will mention (in a tactful way) next time we're invited over and see how it goes. May as well find out now. I just hate the fact I have to even deal with these issues.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by hulahips

No not same people at all. the leaves are neighbors. these are fairly new friends. I think I will mention (in a tactful way) next time we're invited over and see how it goes. May as well find out now. I just hate the fact I have to even deal with these issues.

Yeah, but here's the thing, you don't have to deal with "these issues", you could choose to not "be friends" with people who have dogs and leaves.