Secondhand Smoke...my current dilemma

[wahinelf]

I was having an hour long talk about my boyfriend about this - he thinks I'm insane. So I thought you guys might be able to chime in.

I bring Ellie to daycare anytime I'm at work for longer than 8 hours (which fortunately rarely happens). They also take her on off-leash group hikes as an add on feature of daycare. I just signed her up for chauffeured hikes which means they pick her up at my apartment and bring her back (all when I'm not home). Well she went on her first one today, which meant that I had to be home for pick up to show them everything. Four hours later when they dropped her back off I still happened to be home. So I chit chatted with the guy who REEKED of smoke. I figured it was just him, so who cares right? Wrong! As soon as I close the door I still smell smoke, so I smelled the dog - and she smelled like SHE had been smoking. Do I sound totally California dog owner? Or do I have the right to say I shouldn't be paying for someone to smoke with my dog. I have no problem with him smoking in general. Just when he's working...which means driving dogs around in a van...he shouldn't be doing it.

And then who do I tell? My smoker friends said to tell him directly, but I'll never see him since he'll be picking up when I'm not home. So they said to leave him a note...that would be weird right?

"Hi, Please don't smoke in front of Ellie. Have a great time."

And I don't want him to treat her differently. My boyfriend said to tell the organization...if I have to do anything at all. He argued that if Ellie came home smelling strongly of perfume I wouldn't complain. And he doesn't believe in the whole secondhand smoke thing.

Do I just sound crazy? I do don't I?

[ZodiacT]

Secondhand smoke can be very dangerous to pets just as it is to humans. I would speak directly to the guy, but since you say you can't do that then a note might be best. Just try to be polite and explain that she came home smelling of smoke and you're a little concerned about it, you could even say that you have an allergy to cigarette smoke if you want to make it sound more serious (I actually do have an allergy to cigarette smoke, even the smell bothers my sinuses). If after leaving a note Ellie still comes home smelling like smoke then I would speak to the organization.

[Dutchringgirl]

I agree with your BF, go directly to the organization. You wont be home so who knows, he could have one hanging out of his mouth as he comes in your house to pick up Ellie, what if he drops it and it catches the house on fire? My feeling is, its MY house, MY dog and if something happens its my stuff it will happen to. This fall the pool guy came to help me close my pool.... Sorry Marco.... He came in with a big stogie and put it on my wooden fence ! I ripped him a new one. I also dont like the off leash hikes. Even with Thalie, who knows what will be in a heards mind.

[kchristy]

I actually saw an ep of Pitbulls and Parolees where an older dog was rescued and diagnosed with emphysema. They stated because her past owner chain smoked. I don't know if it would cause problems with Xena being around them for a short time, but she is your dog and you are paying them. Not to mention when you go to hug her and love her you don't want to smell smoke. I think the allergy thing is a good idea.You might look at it this way. If you were dropping off your child at daycare and then when you picked them up they smelled of smoke, what would you do? Some people just arent as obsessive over their dogs as we are. Good luck!

[Schlussdibusti]

You are NOT obsessive about the smoke thing. I don't even let people with "smokey" hands pet my dogs since I hate it when they smell like smoke. Same with after shave or parfum. And the nicotin will settle in the fur and is just one more toxin the dog is exposed too.

I don't think talking to the guy will change anything. He smokes, his vehicle will smell like smoke. Talking to the company might help. Are they the only service of this kind available?

[leih merigian]

I'd vote for talking to the company. If their service is lacking, they have a right to know, and to have the opportunity to fix the problem. The driver is just an employee. If they won't fix it, then take your business elsewhere (or find a good petsitter to come by when you need the help).

Your boyfriend should google "effects of second-hand smoke" sometime

[Sugars Mom]

I am definitely with you on this one...second hand smoke is proven to be dangerous and to a non-smoker, stinky and gross! I would do what I could to make sure my dog wasn't around a smoker. He is making a choice for himself but your dog is not able to make that choice if he smokes in front of her while in his care and you are the next best thing to speak up to protect her. Do what you can - talk to him, leave a note, talk the the agency...you can't be the only one upset, or maybe they don't know, or maybe they won't care, and you may even have to look for an alternate place for taking care of her, but follow your gut on this. I'm with you!

Keep us posted.

[wahinelf]

I don't think talking to the guy will change anything. He smokes, his vehicle will smell like smoke. Talking to the company might help. Are they the only service of this kind available?

There are other services, but most of these people are AWESOME! They're all really great dog people, etc.

My biggest fear is I go to the organization and then he'll start treating Ellie differently. I'm a petsitter myself and I would never smoke in front of my client's pets. I'm not a smoker though...

I'll tell you guys what happens. I'm all anxious about it. But I figure if the other dog parents knew they would be just as upset.

[Lauren]

You are not being all California...

I would not like my dog to smell like cigarettes or perfume. (I wouldn't want to bathe mine ever time she goes somewhere)This is why the US postal service doesn't allow their mail carriers to smoke. One of mine did and it was very noticeable. It absolutely does affect their lungs.

I would give the guy one chance to change it.. then I would talk to his supervisor. And absolutely pull out the allergic card.

[kchristy]

Sorry for calling Ellie, Xena... I don't know what I was thinking. I just saw Laurens name and it hit me on what I had done. Not that it would be an insult by any means, being that they are both beautiful. Hopefully everything will go smoothly though, keep us posted!

[wahinelf]

Blech...I just called and left a message for him to call me. Most awkward thing ever. I hope the front desk girl doesn't think I want to ask him out.

[Dutchringgirl]

HAHAHA, Is he cute???

[Choochi]

I run a similar service and if this was one of my employees I most definitely would want to know, so I say call the boss for sure and bring it up with the guy as well if you're comfortable.

Totally legitimate. I wouldn't want my dog returned smelling like an ash tray. That's totally gross, not what you're paying for, not to mention it's most definitely bad for her.

[wahinelf]

HAHAHA, Is he cute???

Haha, not especially, but the conversation was like. "Is David at work? Can you have him call me? Oh, I don't have a message, I just wanted to ask a question about the hike."

I'm all conflicted. I guess I'll just hear his response first.

[kchristy]

I hope that it will be fine, maybe he will just say okay, apologize and go on about the daily routine!

[Sugars Mom]

And you may be worried over nothing. He may just say, "No problem" and not smoke around her anymore. Some people just need to be told.

Good luck!

[wahinelf]

Update - he was totally cool about it. He says that he only smokes on his breaks OUTSIDE of the van. He said he's going to be careful in the future to not transfer his stink to her (he used the word stink, I didn't use it first - ha). Its not like I can verify with Ellie that he's telling the truth, I trust his organization and I'm taking his word for it. I'm a super nervous mom.

[Marjolein]

at least he took it well, even if he lied a little about only smokin' outside, maybe he really will only smoke outside from now on, and that is what you wanted, right?

[Dutchringgirl]

Thats great! Glad it worked out! I dont blame you about being a nervous mom.

[Raven]

Though not always do-able, the best practice is to go directly to the source first. And in this case, he seemed to appreciate it, didn't try to squirm out of anything...so moving forward, it's a clean slate.

I didn't notice if it was mentioned that he uses a company or personal vehicle. Most companies have strict policies about vehicle use, smoking and otherwise. It may very well be that he was smoking outside the vehicle, even if it's his own; if he, indeed, was, some people are super-sensitive to certain odors, and cig smoke being so strong, a sensitive nose to it will pick up the slightest hint, not just a "direct impact" (i.e., smoking in the vehicle with the dogs).

I'm glad you gave the guy a chance. If he was trustworthy enough to take care of your baby, he deserved the chance to set things straight and make them right. If further problems arise, at least you have the fact that you discussed this first directly when talking with the owner. This will give the owner more leverage.