You need to address the dog thing and also, stop worrying about her 'expectations'.

mrsconn23

Dear Prudence, 

While we’ve had a marvelous relationship in the past, my mother-in-law has recently done some things that I cannot look past. While home for Christmas, our young beloved dog fell ill and we did everything to save her at the emergency vet but had to put her down. My husband’s parents showed up at the vet uninvited, forcing their way into this intimate painful family moment. I know they were just trying to support us, but they could care less about dogs and we were not able to openly grieve with them there.

Now my mother-in-law suddenly planned a visit to our town, staying at an Airbnb on our street with her sisters even though this is the busiest week of the year for my work and I will be unavailable to spend time with them, though I’m sure it will be expected of me. With the stress of the work week and the unresolved hurt from Christmas, I don’t think I can even look at her while she’s here. My husband agrees these are disrespectful and inconsiderate intrusions in our lives, but he has not confronted her yet. How can I get my old relationship back with my MIL and still establish boundaries?

—Give Me Back My Old MIL

levioosa

Well, husband needs to put on his big boy pants and tell them even though they might be in town, they're not going to be able to see you guys. Also he needs to address the dog thing. 

short+sassy

The MIL can expect whatever she wants.  The LW doesn't have to comply.  If they haven't already, the H should get in touch with his mom/aunts and let them know it will be a bad time because of the LW's work.  Suggest they change their travel dates, if that is possible.  If not, then tell them they will need to understand they won't see much of the LW.

My friend recently had this happen to her, though it ended up working out fine.  Her father and sister live in FL.  She's been living in Los Angeles or a split residence between LA and NOLA for the last 20+ years.  She's been hurt her father has never visited her.

She gets a call from her sister a couple months ago that they are visiting her the last week of July.  At the time, there was a good chance she was going to be on assignment in another state.  She was so frustrated they didn't plan with her when they know what her schedule can be like.  And that her dad was finally visiting, but she may not even be in town.

As it turned out the movie she was going to be working on has been dropped for now, so she has been able to entertain them.