How do you cope if your partner doesn't like/love the pets?

[oregonianabroad]

dh agreed to have a dog. wasn't too keen but i thought he'd get over it.

now he really resents the dog (she's lovely and not badly behaved at all -- a few annoyances but nothing major).

anyone else in this situation?

what did you do?

I only said why the flip did you get one I suppose it was better to rehome that keep something you hated. Wasn't your DH upset though?

I think the point is that it is not the dog's fault that you didn't like him. Once you got him he was your responsibility whether you liked him or not. It was irresponsible of you to get a dog and then change your mind. Sadly there are many people who seem to share your attitude.

I had a rabbit once who turned into a complete PITA. He was ferociously antisocial, a bit bored because he wouldn't be around other rabbits, he was hairy, shed everywhere, destructive, made my house a tip - not very rewarding at all. We didn't get rid of him though because he was our responsibility. In fact we put even more effort in to making his life happy (built a big run outside with a shared wire wall so he could socialise with other animals without attacking them). We didn't really get much out of him to be honest but it would never have occured to us to get rid of him. He was our pet. End of story.

He was sad to see him go, as was I, but it just wasn't working out. My husband loves me more than the dog fortunately and he could see how stressed and unhappy I was having one and me being relaxed and happy was more important to him.

I made my DP get rid of his parrot. DD was on the way and the bird was being neglected. I happened upon a lady who could give the bird a good home, much better life than she had with us as she was pretty much ignored. I didn't look for a new home, i just felt that this lady would do better for the bird. She did, she has a "husband" now and several "children" Much better than living stuck in a cage in our living room with no stimulation. I felt BAD, especially when my DP sobbed on the day we took her to her new home There is no way i could ever do that with a dog!

Gosh, I didn't mean to provoke a row over whether or not rehoming is an OK option (for what it's worth, although I share your view LucyEllensmummy that people who don't like dogs shouldn't get one, it seems sensible that if the pet is causing the humans stress and unhappiness, it would perhaps be better for all involved to find a nice, safe home for them, so I think you did the right thing in your situation, Geepers, and it must have been a difficult thing to do).

I don't, however, think this is an option for us. But I am about to re-home dh if he doesn't get a grip about this!

No, seriously, this is a big strain on our relationship right now, and I just don't know what to do about it. We are going away together this weekend w/o the kids and I am hoping to bring it up and hopefully come to some sort of compromise about it.

By the way, Lawks, I once had a cat like your rabbit -- she went completely feral. I did my best to provide a nice home for her (this was in the states, when I had loads of space). Eventually though, I found a home for her on a farm and she happily went to chase mice till the cows came home.

That was also when I was single and childless, so I was able to make those decisions on my own, without having to take other people's feelings and quality of life into consideration.

OP - have you tried soaking the rug with a solution of biological washing powder to get rid of the smell? The enzymes break down the compounds which smell - might be worth a try?

It must be very hard for you with constant tensions over the dog - I don't have any answers but I hope someone comes along on here who can help

good advice bella

I had a mental rabbit too - i bought a beautiful little blue eyed cashmere rabbit. It fitted in the palm of my hands. I can't remember what its name was now, we changed it to mad max, i swear the thing was EVIL!!!

LEM - how could you be so horrid about a cute fluffy bunny wunny?

here

Sorry guys, it's been a long day

I was terrified of the bloody thing!!!

You're a sissy, LEM

Thanks for the tip about the rug, Bella. I just read out your post to dh and he said, 'i dumped it this morning.'

oh, shit.

another black mark for the dog.