Parent Rift over Dog-Advice Please

This is a long and messy story. Pls try and follow and give what you would do.

4 years ago we bought a dog in Australia who is like a baby to us. Everywhere we went she came. We only went to cafe's that allowed dogs, we would take her to secluded beaches and let her play for 3-4 hours, we walked her every night, we rode our bikes with her, if we went to friends places she came to. She went everywhere with us. We adore her.

2 years ago we moved to Dubai and my in-laws offered to look after her. We were very unsure and worried they would become too attached. We stated this to them. They said it would be fine. We offered the dog to go and live with my mother. They said she would be fine. My MIL said if we paid for all vet bills they would know it was only temporary.

Once we were settled here and knew we wanted to stay long term, we told them we were going to bring her over. At the time they said their dog was very sick and near death. We thought it was too much to continue with them losing both dogs at the same time, so we put our plan's on hold. We have waited 12 months for them to get over their dog.

Throughout out this time, I have sent emails asking about her welfare, saying how much we miss her and can't wait for her to come and live with us. When my MIL came for a visit I talked about Doggie coming all the time. "This is where I will walk doggie" this is the beach we will bring doggie to. We bought a villa with a backyard so we could have plenty of room for doggie to live happily. It is not a new concept to them that we will bring Doggie to live with us.

Last week DH advised MIL that we wanted to fly the dog over and did she want to help us organise it or engage a third party. She advised we should engage a company and that she would not help.

We then got this email from her - direct quote only names changed, full email, no salutation

"Bob says you owe him $875 for looking after doggie up to next month and he wants nothing else to do with either of you. He just thinks its too cruel to put doggie through it all. Jx"

We didn't respond, we were too shocked and hurt. Then this

"I think the way Bob sees it would be the same as if you decided to send us Emma. You would pick a nice cage and put her favorite rug and toy in. Everyone would be nice to her but you don't know how long she would have to wait at airports and if it would be cold or hot or dark or bright lights. She wouldn't have much to eat because they wouldn't want her to vomit. She would be terrified. She just wouldn't understand.

Everyone says what a sweet nature doggie has. When Bob walks her I leave them at xxxx Road and he has about 4 0r 5 stops along the highway as doggie stops and he thinks she is worried because I am by myself.

He has said if you came back he would have no hesitation to give her back to you.Mx "

Emma is our DH - BTW

DH responded with this:

"We understand your concern and think Doggie is very lucky to have so many people who love her. You must respect our decision whether you agree or not. We did discuss this before we left and while we appreciate everything you have done for her while she has been with you she is a part of our family and we would like her to be with us. Please confirm your account details and we will forward you the money that is owed.

P.S. We are also ‘your’ family and to say you want nothing more to do with us, has hurt us deeply."

MIL response:
"It is hurting us deeply too. Bob just thinks you are mean people to put doggie thru this. I am just the piggy in the middle.My stomach clamped when Bob started talking about this on Saturday night and was just starting to unclamp when I read your email today. Bob is 70 next year so is unlikely to change his thinking. Our memory of you leaving was you saying you were going for 2 years and maybe 3. We never thought it would be 2 & 1/2 years before it was suitable for you to get doggie. I understand that you are allowed to change your plans. Doggie is of course quite happy here and won't remember you when she sees you. Love Mum"

That is it.

So now we are so confused about what to do.

Bob is not my DH's dad he married MIL when DH was an adult.

If we let them keep our dog we feel like they have stolen her from us.

The damage to the relationship has already been done. we used to get along very well with Bob, having BBQ's at his house, normal happy family environment. I don't know what MIL thought sending us nasty emails would achieve. And what really get's me is her sticking the knife in by saying doggie won't remember us. Which is not true, because I have returned to my family home after many years away and my dog still remembers me there. So MIL is just being hurtful.

How can we get our dog and stop them behaving so childish and being so nasty. Of course we know the flight is not going to be pleasant but millions of dogs do it every year, and arrive safely and live happily with their families.

Or do we just give her up. I feel this is abandonment. I am her mummy.

We are so hurt by this situation, we really don't know what to do.