Buying a house isn't easy - and it is usually something you keep quiet about until everything is in place.
But once you're in your new home, most people cannot wait to show it off to their closest friends and family.
One woman has been left feeling 'deflated' after her parents refused to visit her new house unless their dog is allowed to come too.
Taking to Mumsnet, the woman explained how she loves her parent's dog but doesn't want it running around on her brand new cream carpets just yet.
She said: "I’ve just moved into my first home with my partner. We live about 45 minutes away now from both sets of parents in the only affordable place left in our county.
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"My parents came round to see the house when we first got it about three weeks ago, and I’ve invited them round to see the progress of it this weekend.
"My mum said they want to come, but they’d like to bring the dog.
"I said they can bring her, but she’s not allowed on the carpet. I have a brand new home, with cream carpet. We have no pets or children so it will stay clean, because I want it to."
Trying to reach a compromise, the woman told her mum she can bring her cocker spaniel as long as it stays in the kitchen during their visit.
But she was told this isn't good enough.
She added: "She’s a very hairy, smelly dog. They don’t want to leave the dog for hours on end, which is completely fair enough.
"However, they would be gone for four to five hours max. Plus, my 30-year-old brother lives at home!
"I got frustrated with my mum and this is verbatim the text she sent: 'I don’t want her to be alone. Minimum of 50 mins to you, and back so that leaves a couple of hours max at yours….simple, you come here.'
"Just the way she worded the text, expecting me to drive 50 minutes away because of the dog, even though I have invited them to mine. I don’t mind driving to them, but it’s the principle."
Questioning whether she is going to have to spend her "whole life only travelling to them because they have a dog", the woman asked users to share their thoughts on her situation.
One user said: "A dog is part of the family, your family. What if your brother had kids, kids can be smelly and dribbly and messy too, Would you ban them from the living room?
"Ask for the dog to be bathed prior to arrival, ensure dog has not just run around in mud and ask for them to bring his dog bed so that he can sit in the bed not on your carpet
"But the carpet is going to get trodden on over time. It really wont stay looking like you think it will, no matter your intentions believe me."
While another user added: "It's ridiculous she won't just leave the dog, especially if your brother is home.
"Just say you'll give it a miss and keep saying it. At some point she'll realise her daughter is more important than a dog. People get stupid with their dogs."
A third user simply said: "That’s some dog people for you."
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
