Carolina Girl - I think going to the zoo is great - you will get to see her and spend time, but I don't think it's too much to say NO to house guests.
I'm in Concord - just north of Charlotte (well, we used to be our very OWN town, but now apparently we are just another suburb of Charotte )...
I don't think you should feel guilty at all. If you were able to accomodate her reasonably safely and/or comfortably then OK, but you have a home that is not safe or comfortable at the moment for guests, much less toddlers!
Toddlers + big dogs + construction + fixing up tools, etc = one big...