Poor Sierra! I have to agree with Phelan and Kahn's momma - the big dog people with gravitate toward Sierra and the little dog people will naturally go to Cody. Cody is very cute for a little dog and all, but I have to be honest - I'd plop down in front of Sierra and give her all the scritches I could! That's just me - I have no lost love for little dogs (sorry ya'll - nothing personal - they just don't do it for me...) My kids always want to greet dogs when we run into them on walks and stuff (with permission from the owner first, of course!!) I'll comment that the little ones are cute, to be polite, but if it's a bigger one, I'll be joining in!!
You father in law sounds like a pill, and I remember you talking about him before. If he wants to see Cody, Cody comes with Sierra - that's the way it is. Package deal.