To not want a dog?

[FleeceyButterfly]

We already have a cat, who yes was bought for me, and is great company but I don't want a dog.

We have a 2 year old DD who has some extra issues, and can spend whole days (6-8 hours) out of the house at her appointments. I work, albeit part time but do 24 hours a week over 3 days so am out the house 8 hours a day on those 3 days as well. No option to work from home.

DH thinks we can make it work. He works variable shifts between 25 and 35 hours a week with no set pattern. He thinks we can get a dog walker at lunchtime on those 3 days I work if he's not here and maybe an extra day per week if I;m out the house. He thinks I could walk to Nursery in the morning with DD, the pushchair and the dog then do the same at nighttime, forgetting that dogs aren't allowed onto the Nursery premises and there's nowhere really for a dog to be tied safely where I could see it inside the Nursery.

We've just moved house, from a flat to a 2 bed house with garden but I still don't want a dog. I just think a dog is incompatible with our life style. DH says it's not fair as I have the cat and I am getting a fish tank soon - I think it's different. My DM will come in and look after the cat; feed her, change the litter tray etc would also feed fish, but my DM will not walk a dog as she doesn't want one. PILs have a dog but he's not friendly of other dogs so can't see them agreeing to look after our dog as well, so then it's kennels etc which is costly. We can afford it but I just think it wouldn't be fair to the dog.

So I told DH I'd post on here and ask you lot whether you think getting a dog is a good idea?

How about volunteering for the Cinnamon Trust? You could all walk together and enjoy a dog when you did have time. But you wouldn't have to change your whole life to suit a dog.
Great charity.

DH sounds more needy than a child. Jealous of you and your cat. FGS!

Put your foot down and say no, we will consider it again in five years time. Thank you love.

I love my dog but I didn't last night when he woke the baby because he barked at fireworks, again. He then woke the baby at 5am when he decided he couldn't walk around his lead, which was on the stairs, so sat and barked until I got up to move it. An hour later he woke us again when he barked at a singing bird. He didn't even bother to get out of his bed to do that! It was a bad night but not unusual.

He also ensures friends with allergies and asthma won't come over so socialising at home has been hard for the past few years.

Do not get a dog unless you all want one.

I have refused to allow a dog at home and I have nothing like your challenges. I’ve done it because although we could fit it in, I know it will require far more of my time and commitment than anyone else’s and I don’t want to. Your DH is taking the piss expecting you to walk a dog you don’t want. A dog isn’t like a cat, it’s hard work, especially when you have small children. If your DH wants one he’ll need to work out how he’s going to fit in all the dog walking (and keep pulling his weight with DC). He can’t just push half or more on to you because you got a cat (unless you expect him to do all the faffing with the cat, then it might be more reasonable).

No.
It's just the same as deciding to have a child - only if both of you really want one, otherwise nope.

If you don't want a dog please don't get one. My husband wanted a dog after our 2 cats died, I didn't. He said he would walk it early morning and when he got home from work blah blah blah. I gave in and seriously regret it. We have a rescue that needs lots of attention. She came with various health problems, which we weren't told about and has so far cost us thousands and the problems she has will keep coming back. I walk her 3 times a day, do all feeding and care etc because my husband's job changed and he's away constantly. She has severe seperation anxiety so much so that I rarely go out without her. For me it's like having the child I never wanted only difference is you can take a child to the shops/pub etc but not a dog. I love my dog but honestly I hate having one. My life has changed and not for the better. I wish we didn't have her but we do. I had a life before but now I don't. I won't rehome her as we where her 3rd rehome and she's our responsibility. She's with us until she pops her clogs. Everyone loves her she's a fantastic dog , the problem is me. DON'T DO IT you will get lumbered.

A dog is in no way like a cat. Definitely don't get one.