to call DH's bluff over this

[crunchernumber]

Background. We have 2 DS, 6 & nearly 4.

As children, I had a dog and DH had a cat. We are very much dog v cat people and often have discussions over which are best. DH has always vetoed idea of having a dog and insisted that he wanted a cat. So much so, that he has convinced DSs that cats are best and dogs are rubbish. Obviously now they want a cat.

I actually quite like cats and would be happy to have one.

It has been subject of lots of discussion recently - what we would call them (DS2 has a ridiculous name in mind and we have joked we can't have one until he changes his mind), whether we would have boys or girls, who would be in charge of dealing with the dead animals etc. We decided that we would wait until DS2 was 4, which he nearly is.

Anyway, I was looking on the Cats Protection League website yesterday and they had 2 9 week old girl kittens which would be perfect. Although we were originally thinking about DS2's birthday (Feb/March time) I said we should think about it as there seemed to be lots of kittens around now and might not be many in spring.

DH said if I wanted to ring them I should. So I did.

CPL lady is coming to do a home visit tomorrow.

Except tonight DH seems to be distancing himself from the idea. He does this all the time. He has listed all the cons of having them, finishing with 'but I don't mind, it's up to you'. This is purely so that, if anything goes wrong (scratching furniture/getting run over) he can say 'see, told you that would happen'.

I asked him whether he was saying that we shouldn't get one and he kept repeating 'I'm not bothered, up to you' and 'another reason for not having one is'

He is now even denying that we have ever seriously discussed getting a cat.

AIBU to say actually it's not up to me, as if it was up to me we'd be having a dog. And if he doesn't actively want one and won't come out and say that this is something he wants to do, then we're not doing it.

And that he is the reason why we're not getting one.

Tempted to leave DH at the CPL to be honest!

[diddl]

We have a cat & a dog.

My husband wasn´t a dog person-until we got one!

I do most of the work re the dog-which is OK with me.

[OHforDUCKScake]

My DP does this, he too maintains we never discussed having a first child. (We discussed it in length, for months. He was keener than me!)

Do it, get the kittens.

[Nigglenaggle]

Swap the husband for a dog, now that might work :D Bet the dog wouldnt leave so much hair on the couch :D

[Nigglenaggle]

Well he can just tell the kittens he doesnt want the furniture scratched and naturally they will respect his authority......

[crunchernumber]

Of course Stuntgirl DH has decreed that he does not want the furniture scratched therefore he has done his bit

The rest he is delegating to me

[StuntGirl]

Bloody hell, how old is he, 12? There will be no blame when they scratch things, that's just what cats do. You all need to take responsibility to train it not to.

I'm sure he has his nice points OP, but right now I'd definitely be looking into some kind of dog/husband exchange scheme!

[crunchernumber]

Cat lady came and found us suitable

They don't rehome kittens this close to Christmas so they are going to get in touch in the New Year.

DH can then have final sign off

Did manage to wheedle out of him last night that he did want a cat - although I will still get the blame if they scratch the sofa whilst he's not here

[maddening]

If you go for kittens then think about where you put the Xmas tree :) or make sure you have a video camera ready to make £250 from you've been framed - kittens in Christmas trees always make great comedy :)

[BooyhooRemembering]

sorry headfirst not headin.

[BooyhooRemembering]

yours wasn't one of the posts i was talking about headin. i know you were suggesting only telling the DH that she was getting a puppy. others suggested she should actually get a puppy.

[HeadfirstForHalos]

When I said to tell her dh she is getting a puppy instead, I meant as a bluff to his bluff, so that he would then say, "but I want a cat!".

[BooyhooRemembering]

the first response to the OP said to get a puppy and quite a few others said the same.

[MerryMarigold]

I'm not sure anyone was saying she should get a dog! But just to call his bluff on it.

[crunchernumber]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has to deal with a dodging DH.

I was going to cancel cat lady but don't think I will now. Think I will tell her that we want to get vetting process out of way but need to discuss best time to get one.

Then tell DH that whenever he's ready, he just needs to say the word. Probably whilst the DC's are listening

[BooyhooRemembering]

xposting with twitchy.

[BooyhooRemembering]

BTW OP, there are always kittens needing homes so dont think you have to take the 2 you have found incase there aren't any in spring. there are always cats/kittens needing rehomed.

[AdoraJingleBells]

Meant to say, yes, call his bluff and get a puppy.

[BooyhooRemembering]

it's the same in my house niggle so i understand why you said that. i just also know that it isn't that way in a lot of houses.

[AdoraJingleBells]

I get the same-ish from my OH. We have dogs. He wanted to buy 2 more puppies and tried telling me it was my decision and therefore my responsibility to clean up after them etc. I made it crystal clear that it was decision , I don't care if he buys 2 more dogs and will not be the only one picking up their poop. But they don't live inside with litter trays, so it's easier for me to leave it for him to pick up.

Just make sure everyone knows it's not purely your responsibily.

[Nigglenaggle]

With us thats how it is Booy, that was what I meant. Even if it bites us/chews furniture/poos in the nursery once its in the house its our business to make sure its ok.

[BooyhooRemembering]

"Once a pet is in its in though, regardless of blame. Do not worry Booy, sure OP will be the same."

i wish that were true. it just isn't in a lot of cases and the dog becomes a source of massive resentment and rows.

thanks for clarifying OP. I was really responding to the posts from other MNers encouraging you to do it. i know you didn't say you were going to

[Iheardthatpardon]

I am a cat person. Dogs ok but in someone else's house!
Cats are easier - no endless walks and poop picking up (well not quite the same) and no eating disgusting stuff and rolling in it... at least not in plain view.

That said, if you want a puppy all you need to do is show the boys some puppies and some puppy/dog stuff on youtube and they will be converted quite quickly. Children love animals.

re the DH - tell him you were only looking at kittens because of his preference but as he doesn't seem bothered, you will look for puppy as that is what you really want. He will change his tune pretty quick if he really wants cats.

He is putting the onus on you and the responsibility so that you will do all the looking after, sorting out vets, holiday care etc. As he 'didn't want them'.

[Corygal]

You so won't regret it, and your DH will prob fall in love all over again. Go for it.

Make sure you're not going away for Xmas tho, as the tiny will need 6 weeks with you to settle.