My wife wants to get a dog and I don't.

[xboxist]

You missed the best window of opportunity to get a dog. You're supposed to get a puppy when your children are young, when they beg you for one and you can't possibly say no. Then when the kids are grown up and leaving the house, you're left with that same, now-adult dog, and you can't possibly imagine life without it.

 

[daveshel]

We build walls to keep animals out. Then we invite this loud, dirty, smelly, demanding species in because some look pretty and simulate companionship. I don't get it.

I would agree that your veto should not be questioned.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I don't think you're being unreasonable, but neither is she. It's just a matter of wanting different things.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I don't think you're being unreasonable, but neither is she. It's just a matter of wanting different things.

Exactly. It is unreasonable for her to stop talking to you, unless there is something that you left out about the conversation.

 

[habib89]

if you really don't want a dog in the house, then no, you're not being unreasonable.. but i dont' think you really know what it's like to have a dog in the house... they're not just stinky animals.. take care of them right, and they wont stink, and they're awesome companions... i dont see how they can tie you down.. i mean if you want to go on a vacation, have someone come and feed him.. they definately don't tie you down more than kids do..

 

[FDF12389]

Get a older golden retriever with short hair. (If you end up having to)

 

[IceBergSLiM]

well yes you are. Statistically speaking your wife is going to divorce you, take most of your sh1t and eventually leave. The dog will be your best friend for life.

 

[MajinWade]

Compromise: why not get an outside dog?

 

[DeadByDawn]

Compromise and get a pet chicken

 

[D1gger]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
well yes you are. Statistically speaking your wife is going to divorce you, take most of your sh1t and eventually leave. The dog will be your best friend for life.

Meh. I'll deal with that when it happens, but I would rather have a young gf than a dog as a companion if my wife kicks me out.

 

[D1gger]

Originally posted by: MajinWade
Compromise: why not get an outside dog?

How is that a compromise? Outside dogs still need care and attention. They still cause vet bills. They still need to be fed ... and you have the added bonus of pissed off neighbors when it barks all night.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

She needs a hobby. You know, other than nagging you.

Some people just don't like owning dogs. Don't get one. Feel free to pet someone else's puppy and give it back when it's all wound up and needs to be taken for a walk - but don't get your own then.

- M4H

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: D1gger

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
well yes you are. Statistically speaking your wife is going to divorce you, take most of your sh1t and eventually leave. The dog will be your best friend for life.

Meh. I'll deal with that when it happens, but I would rather have a young gf than a dog as a companion if my wife kicks me out.

:roll: I hope that is a joke.

But I do understand why you wouldn't want a dog. It is a lot of work. BTW OP, do you want kids? Ar eyou good with kids?

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: habib89
if you really don't want a dog in the house, then no, you're not being unreasonable.. but i dont' think you really know what it's like to have a dog in the house... they're not just stinky animals.. take care of them right, and they wont stink, and they're awesome companions... i dont see how they can tie you down.. i mean if you want to go on a vacation, have someone come and feed him.. they definately don't tie you down more than kids do..

Uh, yeah they do. Kids are MUCH more publically acceptable than dogs. People let kids in their home, while dogs are not always allowed. You can take kids into a mall or into a restaurant. You can't do that with dogs. People will gladly look after your kids for a day but it's hard to get somebody to do it for a dog.

Eventually kids are able to be potty trained and can get up in the middle of the night and do that on their own. Dogs are not able to (doggy doors an exception but not always a possiblitiy). Thus, you have to plan to make sure that you can make it back to let the dog out.

You can take your kids for a walk in the park without having to bring a pain in the butt leash or carry bags around to pick up poo after them. Not the so with dogs.

Dogs are basically two year old children that never get past that age. They shed. They drool. They throw up A LOT. Kids eventually learn to be a bit cleaner.

Yes I have a dog. It was a battle that I conceded to my wife. We do not have any kids at the time. So it's okay. I would be perfectly content not having another dog after this one is no longer with us.

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Uh, yeah they do. Kids are MUCH more publically acceptable than dogs. People let kids in their home, while dogs are not always allowed. You can take kids into a mall or into a restaurant. You can't do that with dogs. People will gladly look after your kids for a day but it's hard to get somebody to do it for a dog.

BUT you can often leave dogs at home alone. Can't really do that with kids until they get to an age they can be trusted. A day trip is nothing... fill the food and water bowl and then leave. Done.

Oh yeah, and our dogs have never thrown up inside. Can't say the same about our cat though.

 

[Dirigible]

I love dogs. My family had at least one dog my entire time growing up. I don't want one, for the same reasons you point out: the mess, the hassle, etc. So no, I don't think you're being unreasonable.

However, I know this is an argument I'm going to lose with my wife; it's just not an argument I'm willing to go to the mat for. Right now it's all about putting up enough of a fight that it's really really really clear that it's her responsibility. I already lost this argument with regard to our cat, and yes, she does do all the work taking care of that.

 

[D1gger]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: D1gger

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
well yes you are. Statistically speaking your wife is going to divorce you, take most of your sh1t and eventually leave. The dog will be your best friend for life.

Meh. I'll deal with that when it happens, but I would rather have a young gf than a dog as a companion if my wife kicks me out.

:roll: I hope that is a joke.

But I do understand why you wouldn't want a dog. It is a lot of work. BTW OP, do you want kids? Ar eyou good with kids?

I have kids. They are terrific and I have really enjoyed being a father (most days). I believe I am a good parent but it is kind of hard to judge yourself. My kids say I am a good father and seem to enjoy the time we spend together, and we talk about all aspects of their lives. They are now getting to the point where they don't rely on us as much, one about to go to university and the other a sophomore at high school.

I have no need to replace the kids with a dog, but it seems my wife does.

edit: for typos

 

[sao123]

I believe you need to watch the movie "The last boy scout"... Bruce willis will explain to you that she either needs to buy a dog, or she will end up cheating on you with some guy (namely your best friend, who would cut off a certain number of fingers, just to sleep with your wife)...

Buy her a dam dog.

/thread

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I don't think you're being unreasonable, but neither is she. It's just a matter of wanting different things.

Exactly. It is unreasonable for her to stop talking to you, unless there is something that you left out about the conversation.

Agree completely. The adult thing to do is get a dialogue going and work through the issue. If you have to take time off of the discussion to consider things that's fine, but don't hold it against the other person in the meantime.

 

[D1gger]

Originally posted by: sao123
I believe you need to watch the movie "The last boy scout"... Bruce willis will explain to you that she either needs to buy a dog, or she will end up cheating on you with some guy (namely your best friend, who would cut off a certain number of fingers, just to sleep with your wife)...

Buy her a dam dog.

/thread

I think I would rather have her cheat on me than get a dog. Her banging some other guy doesn't require me to get up in the middle of the night to look after a sick dog.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: D1gger
I have kids. They are terrific and I have really enjoyed being a father (most days). I believe I am a good parent but it is kind of hard to judge yourself. My kids say I am a good father and seem to enjoy the time we spend together, and we talk about all aspects of their lives. They are now getting to the point where they don't rely on us as much, one about to go to university and the other a sophomore at high school.

I have no need to replace the kids with a dog, but it seems my wife does.

edit: for typos

Interesting... would you mind telling me the age of your kids? Maybe your wife is going through empty nest syndrome a little bit. Give her time to adjust.

 

[D1gger]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: D1gger
I have kids. They are terrific and I have really enjoyed being a father (most days). I believe I am a good parent but it is kind of hard to judge yourself. My kids say I am a good father and seem to enjoy the time we spend together, and we talk about all aspects of their lives. They are now getting to the point where they don't rely on us as much, one about to go to university and the other a sophomore at high school.

I have no need to replace the kids with a dog, but it seems my wife does.

edit: for typos

Interesting... would you mind telling me the age of your kids? Maybe your wife is going through empty nest syndrome a little bit. Give her time to adjust.

My kids are 15 and 18.

I agree with your diagnosis of empty nest syndrome. I just hope that she adjusts before we have a sh1tsu.

 

[electrosoccertux]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Get a good dog, and you will become so attached to it, it's amazing.

True, but they can also be hopelessly untrainable if you get a bad one. Getting two young female kittens is almost always a good bet. They take care of themselves (minus litterbox and pouring food for them), clean themselves, and occasionally want you to play with them. Maximum benefit for the wife, minimum energy output for you.

 

[electrosoccertux]

Originally posted by: D1gger

Originally posted by: sao123
I believe you need to watch the movie "The last boy scout"... Bruce willis will explain to you that she either needs to buy a dog, or she will end up cheating on you with some guy (namely your best friend, who would cut off a certain number of fingers, just to sleep with your wife)...

Buy her a dam dog.

/thread

I think I would rather have her cheat on me than get a dog. Her banging some other guy doesn't require me to get up in the middle of the night to look after a sick dog.

lol you could tell her that. "You know, honey, if you just want another guy to bang, knock yourself out. I'd rather that than a dog." LOL.

 

[SophalotJack]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Get a good dog, and you will become so attached to it, it's amazing.

super true...

When I was younger, my sister was severely depressed and wanted a dog. My dad sounds exactly like the OP at that point.

Needless to say, daughter always gets what she wants...

After a while, my dad comes home to work with a smile on his face because he gets to play with the dog for a while (dog loves him).

He won't even let my sister take the dog to college... yet it is her dog.