DEAR ABBY: I have a very close-knit family -– four grown children and nine grandchildren. My daughter "Kay" lives in a neighboring town and brings her two children for Sunday dinner with me once a month. My other children live locally and come for dinner every Sunday. My son "Tom" always brings his dog.
The dog is very playful. However, the last time Kay was here with her children, the dog snapped at the baby. My grandson is 19 months old, not yet steady on his feet, and he almost fell over. Kay says she won't come here anymore if Tom brings the dog -– and Tom says he won't come if he can't!
Abby, Kay thinks the dog is more important to me than my grandson. I just want everything to stay as it was. What can I do? -- CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE IN N.J.
DEAR CAUGHT: Tell Tom it's time to grow up and reorganize his priorities. A snapping dog who is unpredictable around small children is not "playful"; it's a dog bite waiting to happen. For the child's safety, the dog must be kept away from the baby. If Tom chooses to exclude himself from one family dinner a month -– then so be it.