Sorry quite long but a bit of explaining needed. We are a family of 4. We have a lovely cat, 5 years old. She's been with us for 3 years. She is quite a shy cat and it took her a long time to get used to DCs (ages 9&11 now). She is only really relaxed when alone with me in the house but does occasionally allow them to stroke her. I have had cats all my life though DH always had dogs growing up so he is very skilled with training dogs. We never thought to get a dog as pre Covid we both worked full time, commuting every day. I now work from home mainly so it's usually just me and the cat together all day. Over the last year DS1 has been constantly saying how much he wants a dog. To the point that he's quite miserable about not having one. He is a very lovable, kind and caring boy and has had some difficulties in life, and I feel awful denying him this chance to grow up with a dog. He is already 11 so it's really now or never. The thing is I don't know if I have the energy to have one, many say it's like having another child. It's so much work. But also I am really worried about the cat and how it will affect her. She's already quite tense around a lot of people and usually spends the day either outside or under our bed if more people other than me are in the house. The other issue is my parents who live quite local will look after the cat when we're on holiday and they are cat people too, so very much used to looking after cats. When I mentioned about getting a dog they got quite angry and said it would be selfish of me as the cat would be disturbed and that they would never look after the dog for us (not that I would ask them too). I get their point but what made me angry is they totally dismissed DS1s feelings, basically as if the cats feelings was more important and DS1 wanting a dog is irrelevant.
What do you think? Would it be really bad t get a dog when we already have a cat? Who is being unreasonable here?