Dear Double Take,
My 6-year-old Yorkshire terrier dog was attacked by a huge -- more than 100-pound -- mixed-breed dog that got loose from his pen while his owners were out of town.
They had family taking care of the dogs, and this was the third time in two days that I know of that this dog had been loose.
He came into our yard, and my Yorkie slipped out the door when we opened it. He ran out to the dog, and that dog picked him up and shook him around.
When this dog dropped him, my husband immediately picked up our Yorkie and checked him out. He was ripped on his back, had puncture wounds and was bleeding. We then went straight to the emergency hospital, and he had X-rays; they kept him overnight.
We want the owner of that dog to pay for the hospital bill. If they won't pay, should we try to take them to court? All we want is for them to take responsibility for what their dog did to ours. What should we do about this situation?

EDDIE SAYS:

I don't know what the law says in this case, but common decency puts the burden on the intruder's owners here -- and my guess is the law would agree.

Before you run down to the local barrister's office and start plotting your cross-examination, it sounds like maybe you need to talk to the owners. You don't mention them refusing to pay. It may be that they're willing to give you what you ask for but aren't going out of their way to cough it up.

They may even be worried about admitting guilt and then you asking for damages. If you're clear -- perhaps in writing -- that all you want is direct compensation, it may go better than you think.

If that doesn't work, you get to live out a movie fantasy and storm out while shouting, "You'll hear from my attorney!"

ALANA SAYS:

Eddie's right -- the neighbors would likely be held liable for your dog's injuries, and if they refuse to pay, you'd have a strong legal case.

However, keep in mind that if you go that route, you'll be tarnishing your relationship with those neighbors forever. You'll also be casting a shadow over the entire neighborhood -- people will likely feel they have to take sides, and that could really make things complicated.

I'm not saying you shouldn't pursue reimbursement. Just be sure to consider the long-term consequences first.

Dear Double Take,
I need another perspective on this one. I've been married 23 years to a wonderful man. Part of the reason it lasted so long is that we don't live near his family. We did in the beginning, and it caused problems.
Anyway, we have been spending our vacations in my mother-in-law's town. His mother evens tries to stay in the hotel with us while we're visiting. Three of these past years were due to a child's traveling sports team, so we were in her part of town anyway. Then, when the trip is over, she tells us: You never come here on vacation. I never see you, etc.
In the last few years, the kids have started to complain that we don't go anywhere else on vacation, and they want us do something different. My husband won't.
Am I wrong, or am I right -- I think I have sacrificed exotic vacations over the years to go sit on my mother-in-law's sofa and do nothing. The most annoying part of it is she can only control two of her sons this way; the others won't let her. She has two daughters near her and a host of relatives in her town, so she's not alone. I think she acts this way because she is not married. What do you think?

ALANA SAYS:

Your mother-in-law certainly sounds like she's mastered the art of guilt, and it sounds like you've done your best to visit her when you're able.

Maybe a compromise is possible. It's understandable that your husband wouldn't want to suddenly reduce the number of visits your family makes to his mother, but maybe they can be shorter -- a weekend here and there, which might leave enough time and money for a vacation somewhere else.

When you talk to your husband about this, be careful not to make it sound like you're complaining about his mother. That will only make him defensive. Instead, your angle should be a fun, new family adventure -- something that the kids will always remember. Do your best to assure him that your yearning for a "real" vacation has nothing to do with your mother-in-law.

EDDIE SAYS:

To address this, make it sound like visits to your mother-in-law don't even factor in. Pick a destination that you would really like, and tell him that's where you want to go. Find yourself a good deal and a good time and present the plan, along with how fun it will be.

If he objects that he won't get to visit Dear Mother, don't snap back with, "I've wasted two decades on that woman." Suggest that sometime he take a short visit to be with her. If he wants to make sure your kids know Grandmama, perhaps the kids should go stay with her for a bit while you two take a second honeymoon somewhere.

Notice that Alana and I are offering tips on how to make this happen, not whether. You're right -- you've earned a more exotic vacation, or at least something different.