For agreeing to a dog I do not want!

[Hotair1234]

Just that really. Grew up with big dogs and they just give me the ick, the smell, the poop, the drool, everything.

I know that’s already made me a horrible person but I dont dislike dogs per se, just don’t ever want to live with one. Have cats.

Dd(15) has been desperate for a dog for years. I’ve always been very firm against but recently come up again as her mental health has taken an absolute dive the last few years. Have spent year going on and on about the responsibility/commitment, she’s still keen.

As a reward for sh*y hospital visit I agreed to go to a rescue centre (secretly hoping smell and staff going on about responsibility would be off putting) but I was also aware we might end up with a little dog - like Maltese or chihuahua or something, but she fell in love with a huge bloody collie!!!! 🥺🥺🥺Wouldn’t be swayed by anything cute.

Booked in to go and collect him next week and am completely dreading it. I know it’s everything she needs and couldn’t be more sure about the commitment but I hate the idea now, will hate the idea more next week.

Aibu to still live with a dog I don’t want?? Has anyone else been here but ended up liking? Help 😭😭😭

What was there to misread? Your post was really clear. You don't want a dog yet you're getting a really difficult breed of dog because you think it will help the mental health of a 15 year old.

What is there to misunderstand?

Going against the grain here... my daughter is the one who begged me for a dog for years and ai have always been extremely sceptical (having grown up with a dog myself) but I finally gave in and au absolutely adore him! 🥰 He's currently on my lap eating a massive disgusting stinky chew, but he's my little boy and I love him SO MUCH.

I*

I LOVE dogs - but having lived with my mum’s two latest, I will never have another dog in my house again.
The mess, the noise, the destruction and the tie - it’s all really stressful.
DCs loved the idea of having them and were infatuated / entertained by them as puppies but not so interested now - won’t consistently help with walls / bath/ feeding as homework, etc gets in the way.
You either have to commit to looking after the dog yourself, or back out - because it WILL fall on your shoulders and you will feel resentful of you’re not besotted.

I would not have a dog in my house, ever. I have just got this place under control cleaning-wise. We have two cats and I work from home. A dog would mess everything up. I've told my partner, who wants one, that if he brought a dog home I would be leaving the same day.

Op I get it.

My DD13 has ASD and ADHD and her consultant says this to me, a dog would benefit her hugely.

I'm going to go with it but a small one. For her. (I love dogs but I have a very busy life)

You've committed so the best thing now is rules. Rules around the dog that your DD needs to comply with.

Some kids really benefit from a dog, caring about something more than their own needs is very therapeutic but it's also a massive headache for you.

Good luck!

Stop. You will make me want to get a dog and I just cannot. All that unconditional love....sigh...

Back out now OP, we got a young rescue when our perfect old boy passed away. 6 months later it is literally the worst mistake of my life, however we've now committed to him so feel we have to carry on.

OP are you saying that your post was meant to convey that you just needed reassurance that it would be ok? You won't get that here.

Honestly CANCEL THE DOG. I'm not sure what you were thinking given that your dd could leave home in 3 years.

A cat or certain small breeds of dog might be more realistic.

@Hotair1234 I know this thread is a few months old, but did you ever get the dog?

Disaster waiting to happen. Your daughter will probably lose interest or become too busy with exams etc to care for the dog.
you’ll be stuck with a dog you don’t want, will resent it and because collies are very bright, it will know.
Pull out now and give the dog a better chance of a home where it’s wanted by everyone.
Sorry but feeling as you did it was unfair to your daughter to go to the shelter. Expect her to be angry with you.

As PP said, an older retired greyhound is a better idea. They sleep 18 hours a day and only need one short walk.

Definitely don’t get a collie.

Does she realise how much energy & exercise a Collie requires so it's not destructive ? - Not to mention the shedding & dirt when it runs off into the mud.

I would be saying hard no.

Don’t do it! If you hate the idea now you’ll hate the idea even more in a year or two. If you can cope with a small dog I would say you can handle that only. It will only end in heartache otherwise. Good luck.

Have you thought of dog fostering? There are many dogs who just don't do well in shelters and are placed in family homes until they can find their forever family.

We're fostering an abandoned old dog at the moment. He's really lovely and only wants a bit of loving plus his energy needs are much lower than with a younger dog.

And we're doing it without the long-term commitment that comes with adopting a dog which might be more appropriate for your situation given your daughter's age and your feelings about keeping a dog.

www.oldies.org.uk/fostering-dogs

THIS THREAD IS FOUR MONTHS OLD

WHAT IS WITH ALL THE ZOMBIE THREADS