My Mother-in-Law Insisted on $600 for Caring for Our Dog While I Was in Labor – I Accepted, but With One Catch

When I arrived home from the hospital with my newborn, I noticed a folded piece of paper on the kitchen counter. Assuming it was a heartfelt note from my mother-in-law, I picked it up eagerly. Instead, I was met with a $600 bill for the care of our dog, Rich, while I was in labor. My husband assured me he’d take care of it, but I had a more effective solution in mind.

A few days before my due date, I was sprawled across the couch, struggling with an ache in my lower back that was intensifying with each passing moment. My golden retriever, Rich, nestled beside me, resting his head on my thigh as if he sensed my discomfort. While absentmindedly running my fingers through his fur, I called out to my husband, Jake, who was busy assembling a sandwich in the kitchen.

“Jake, we need to figure out who will watch Rich when we go to the hospital,” I reminded him. He strolled over, sandwich in hand, pressed a kiss to my forehead, and assured me with his usual laid-back attitude. “Don’t stress about it. Mom loves Rich—she’ll take care of him.” His relaxed nature was one of the reasons I adored him, though at times like this, it also made me want to shake him.

Later that evening, Jake rang up his mom, Abigail, to ask if she could look after Rich. Without hesitation, she agreed, sounding more than happy to help. With that, I assumed the issue was settled.

The following morning, with our bags packed, we dropped Rich off at Abigail’s house. She beamed as she waved us off. “Don’t worry, I’ll take great care of him. Now go bring my grandbaby into the world!” Though her words were kind, something about her expression made me wonder if she was less than thrilled about not being invited to the hospital. Nevertheless, I appreciated her willingness to watch our dog.

Once we arrived at the hospital, things progressed far quicker than anticipated. The moment we checked in, my water broke, setting off an intense and exhausting labor. Hours of gripping the bed rails, pushing through contractions, and watching Jake attempt—and fail—to remain composed left me completely drained. But the instant they placed my son in my arms, all the pain and struggle faded into the background. Jake and I wept like fools, completely in awe of the tiny, perfect life we had created.

Three days later, we were finally discharged. Jake called Abigail to thank her and let her know we were on our way home. She graciously offered to give us a few days to settle in before stopping by to see the baby. Her thoughtfulness touched me, and I was eager for Rich to meet his new little brother.

Upon stepping into the kitchen, I immediately noticed a neatly folded note on the counter. Warmth spread through my chest as I imagined a sweet, sentimental message welcoming us home. But when I unfolded it, my heart sank.

“You owe me $600 for food and walks for Rich. My time is valuable. Here are my banking details.”

At first, I was sure I had misread it. But no—she was completely serious. My mother-in-law had charged us for pet-sitting, without ever mentioning it beforehand. Stunned, I waved the note at Jake, who sighed and rubbed his temples. “I’ll talk to her,” he muttered.

I shook my head. “No need. I’ve got a better idea.”

A week later, Abigail arrived to meet her grandson. She cooed over him, doting and gushing, but the moment she handed him back to me, she got straight to the point. “So, when can I expect my payment?” she asked, her smile overly sweet.

Matching her expression, I replied, “Of course, Abigail. I’ll pay you—on one condition.”

I walked over to the desk, retrieved a folder, and slid it across the table toward her. “Since you’re treating this like a business transaction, it’s only fair we do the same.” Inside the folder was a meticulously detailed invoice, listing every favor Jake and I had done for her over the years: moving her into a new house ($800), covering her car repairs ($1,200), babysitting her neighbor’s children ($600).

Her face paled as her eyes darted across the page. “This is absurd!” she sputtered. “You can’t charge family for things like this!”

I raised an eyebrow. “Funny, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”

She tried to argue, but in the end, she stormed out in frustration, her face flushed with anger. Jake, who had been quietly observing, chuckled before pulling me into a hug. “Remind me never to get on your bad side,” he teased.

I grinned, sinking onto the couch with the baby while Rich curled up at my feet. I doubted Abigail had truly learned her lesson, but one thing was for certain—she wouldn’t be seeing that $600. And if she dared to bring it up again, well, I still had that folder. Let her try me.