Don't judge what you don't understand!

So my chicks are about 12 days old. My sister in law and brother came over today after an appt. she had. She wanted to see my chicks so I took her downstairs to the basement to see them. She said they were cute and seemed interested in them and then we started talking about other things and I went upstairs. Well when I came back downstairs they didn't hear me and I heard my sister in law complaining about my chicks. I know I shouldn't have listened but this is what I heard- "Those things are so f****** gross! Why would someone ever keep wild animals in their house? They smell like s*** too. All the clothes hanging up there are going to smell terrible when those things finally go outside. Hopefully she doesn't keep all of those- she already has three grown ones outside. I don't understand why someone would want to have such disgusting animals, especially in their home!"

After I heard that I stormed down the rest of the stairs, walked in to the brooder room and slammed the door shut. I was so unhappy to say the least! I keep the brooder VERY clean- and I only have 25 chicks down there. I clean out the brooder every two days or so. I even cleaned out the brooder and opened the window an hour before they got here! The only thing I can imagine her smelling is the pine shavings. She is a 'city girl' and only ever had an outside dog growing up and now my brother and her live in a tiny one bedroom apartment with no pets. Yes, animals can be dirty and smell. But don't ever stand in my home and judge me and my animals like that. My sister in law and I have had our differences but this just takes the cake. What would you do in this situation?

 

I understand not sharing the same interests but to disrespect me and my passion in my own home is totally uncalled for. She knows that I heard her and just called me to apologize. I told her that she was being completely rude and needs a refresher course in etiquette- but I did accept her apology. She said she doesn't blame me for acting the way I did. Oh well; she can go fly a kite for all I care.

On a happy note- my chicks are all growing happy and healthy and I am so proud of what I have accomplished in my chicken journey. This is so much fun!

 

This isn't the first time I've heard her complain about things behind my back right after she was smiley to my face. She has also complained about my other animals as well (which I don't understand because she loves animals). I have an 80lb black lab, a long hair cat, and a short hair cat. I vacuum every day because I am allergic to cats but love their personalities. I vacuum the carpet, hardwood, and furniture. My lab and short hair cat get brushed every other day. My long haired cat gets brushed everyday- otherwise she would mat up really bad. I also dust every other day (I'm really allergic to cats!). When she stayed in my home a couple months ago, she was playing with my cats and holding them and cuddling. She LOVES cats. Then later that day she was on the phone with her mom and I could hear her loud as day complaining about how my house is full of hair and her clothes are always full of hair. I'm like; what do you expect? You were just holding two cats! Bring a lint roller next time, geeze!!!