AITA for Refusing to Babysit Hyper Dog During Brothers Honeymoon?

Some families can coordinate a holiday like it’s a military operation. This one? They tried to solve a two-week honeymoon dog problem, and somehow it turned into a full-on cat custody crisis.

The brother and his wife are leaving for a honeymoon cruise, and they brought one tiny detail with them: a one-year-old mini Goldendoodle that is basically pure zoomies. They do not want to board him, they do not trust Rover, and now everyone is being asked to “take turns.” The plan was one week each for both sets of parents, but the wife’s parents backed out after her sisters refused to help with the dog.

Now the only plan left is locking the family’s three cats in the basement for two weeks, and OP is wondering if refusing that setup makes them the asshole.

Original Post

In mid-November, my brother and his wife are going on their honeymoon - a two-week cruise. They a one-year-old mini Goldendoodle who is, honestly, the most hyper dog I've ever met.

Don't get me wrong, he's not a *bad* dog, just super energetic and not very well trained. Since they'll be gone for two weeks, they don't want to board him, and SIL doesn't trust a Rover (for some reason).

They're asking both my parents and her parents to take turns watching him. The original plan was one week with each family.

But now, her parents backed out because her sisters said they wouldn't help with the dog - they just didn't want to deal with him. My mom feels bad and wants to help, but there's one big problem: our family has three cats who have never lived with a dog before.

I joked that while we watch their dog, SIL's parents could watch our cats. She didn't think it was funny.

Right now, the only "solution" we've come up with is locking our cats in the basement for the two weeks. The basement is finished and has a room for them, but there aren't any windows they can look out of, and most of their favorite sleeping spots are upstairs.

I really don't like the idea of locking the cats away in their own home for that long. I'd feel a lot better about it if her parents would take the dog for a week too.

I'll be helping my mom with the dog either way, but I can't tell if I'm being overdramatic for not wanting this situation to happen. **AITA for thinking this isn't fair to our cats (or us)?**

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It also reminds me of the friend who tried to pressure the OP into giving up the puppy she’s bonded with.

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OP’s mom wants to help with the dog, but the moment cats are mentioned, the whole plan starts wobbling.

When OP jokes that SIL’s parents can watch the cats, SIL shuts it down fast, even though her family just bailed on dog duty.

The “solution” becomes basement cat jail, finished rooms and all, but the lack of windows and the cats’ favorite upstairs spots make it feel wrong.

OP keeps offering the same missing piece, if SIL’s parents take the dog for a week too, the cats might not have to be trapped for the entire honeymoon.</p>

We're curious to hear your perspective. Share your thoughts in the comments.

Nobody wants to be the person who turns a honeymoon into cat confinement.

Before you judge the babysitting power struggle, read about refusing to fund your parents' lavish lifestyle after moving back home.