DEAR ABBY: I am an animal person. I love all kinds, but when it comes to dogs, I don’t like the smell, the mess, the fur, the jumping, the slobbering and the general mayhem of an untrained dog.

My spouse’s family has many dogs, big and small. They’re not trained -- the family prefers them that way. They think it’s “cute” when they jump or climb on a visitor’s lap. They believe it’s a way to “win people over.” Their dogs are allowed on the furniture, making it very smelly. They also feed them while we are at the dinner table.

I understand people love their pets and treat them like family, and I wouldn’t expect them to change their ways for me. But I also don’t see why I should subject myself to something that disgusts me.

Is there a polite way to tell them I am not comfortable eating or

See Full Page