by Carrle Hopkins

Created on: September 11, 2009

There it is the long awaited sound of the doorbell signaling the arrival of a loved one or dear friend. With great anticipation, a speedy trip to welcome the guests is suddenly halted by the yipping bark of a small four-legged, uninvited guest. When a visitor decides to bring along his/her pet without notifying the host, all kinds of hard feelings and resentment will be the underlying tone of the visit.

Most people do not want to offend the invited guest who has arrived with their beloved pet. Family and friends often have pets who are "part of the family." They devote much of their lives to these animals and may think nothing of bringing them into a home without notifying anyone.

Really the guest has left the host with no other option than being direct about "the pet policy" at their home. As soon as the uninvited pet has arrived, the invited guest must be told in a firm yet friendly tone why this pet simply will not be able to stay. If allergies are a concern, a visitor should be informed even before the animal is allowed into the home. It would be a friendly gesture, to offer the number of a local kennel that comes highly recommended by a mutual friend or family member.

Even when allergies may not be the issue, one must quickly but simply address the pet problem and offer a solution. Be pleasant, but unwavering about the "no animals allowed here" choice you have made. Inform the visitor by making a declaration such as, "I do not have an animal in my home because I do not like pet hair (parasites, pee, or poop) in my home. I will be happy to help you find a fine pet hotel, where your pet will be pampered while you and I have the opportunity to visit."

Remember that the guest may be offended. When a person considers the pet as a family member, and the welcome mat is not rolled out for him or her as a house guest, then the pet owner may choose to leave. Really that is a choice they made by bringing an uninvited "family member" for a visit.

If a person is afraid of offending the guests with an uninvited pet and chooses not to be upfront about it, then he/she will possibly be creating a situation where the pet owner assumes the animal is welcome. Next time a visit is at hand, one can bet that the sound of the doorbell will always be followed by the "yipping" of the uninvited quadruped.

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