Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:She says "I think you just like the idea of having a dog as opposed to the reality of having a dog". We split chores 50-50 (I'm retired while she works mostly from home).
Wow, on the surface you seem like the ideal people to have a dog -- both of you home most of the day. But I totally get your wife's aversion. I have a dog, I love my dog, and I wouldn't give him up for the world, but I freely admit to anyone who asks that having a dog is a huge PITA. In that way, it is like having kids -- you have to be all in, or you're going to be miserable.
Rather than forcing your wife into accepting an animal she doesn't want into your home, could you get your dog fill through sitting and walking? You'd be able to charge a higher rate than the sitters who want $40/day to be at work while the dog is alone in an apartment. Even if your wife absolutely refuses to have a temporary dog, many people prefer having sitters sleep over instead of subjecting a pet to a new environment.