NWR: but did you have to compromise with animals?

I don't understand why people have dogs just to keep them outside. So so cruel.

If he doesn't like animals inside then he (and you if you are living with him) shouldn't have animals. I live in Missouri, right on the border of Kansas. It is going to be 25 degrees on Thursday. How do you possibly think its okay to leave a dog outside in that?

For some people, dogs are like livestock, especially in the small rural towns. farm dogs protect the farm, hunting dogs are for hunting, cattle dogs are for working cattle. They aren't for companionship for many people

My FH said similar things about my cats and now one of my cats shares his pillow at night. It was a new experience for him so there was an adjustment period, but he's come around to their way of thinking. Hearing cats paw at a closed door all night is awful. Not saying your FH will come around, but maybe? It all depends on how serious he is about it.

If he doesn't like hair and that's why his dog is outside, he shouldn't have a dog. Dogs are incredibly social and its heartbreaking to hear his is outside all of the time (even if FH is outside several hours a day). Pets deserve cuddles, not loneliness and the cold, hard ground.

I just checked the weather in Kansas, its 30-40 degrees this coming week and the dogs outside? What about overnight when its 20 out?

Dogs should not Iive outdoors. He doesn't sound like he knows the first thing about having pets. Compromise is one thing, but he sounds like he's just making rules, and that wouldn't fly with me.

I'd call animal control on someone for keeping a dog outside 24/7

I'm an animal lover, and FH has only had one cat before we met. We currently have one cat, and are looking at getting a kitten while we are still in our apartment and I'm sure once we get a house we will have a zoo! I could never compromise with giving up an animal because I have found I become depressed if I don't have a companion. They truly become your best friends if you let them!

The dog NEVER comes into the house? Yeah I dunno about that.

Granted FH and I have opposite schedules so more often than not we're not in bed at the same time but my dogs sleep in bed with me/us all the time.

FH had a dog growing up he was indifferent to and always said he didn't "like" dogs til we got our first one. He broke all the "not allowed on the furniture/bed" rules with him within the first week! Less than 6 months later he was telling me we should get a 2nd dog (and we did!)

He still says he doesn't "like" dogs, but he loves our dogs.

I don't understand how you can have a dog and not care enough to not bring it inside. Why have a dog then? This is another little life you're choosing to be in charge of. You need to care for it and make sure it's taken care of. I can't imagine keeping our boys outside (a garage/shed is still outside) 24/7.

You don't sound like two people that should have animals.

Are you planning on having children? Like ever? I can tell you right now, he's got to get over his germaphobe ways if you have children. They are like walking petri dishes, you have no idea what is incubating on them.

Keeping a dog outside is cruel. It's illegal in some areas even with shelter, so that's something to think about too. Even if it is legal, all your doing is providing basic necessities for survival and absolutely no enrichment or quality of life. Dogs are pack animals that need to be with their pack, if you keep them seperated it can lead to anxiety, aggression, and destructive behavior. Yes you can "compromise" by getting a dog and keeping outside, but the dog is the real loser in that deal. This is something that you need to work out with your fh and decide if you are ok with living the rest of your life without a dog. I know I wouldn't be.

I don't understand someone who doesn't like germs getting an animal... I get that in some cultures dogs are for work, but OP hasn't mentioned that this dog is a working animal. And aside from that, why would you put yourself in a position to have animal you don't even want to share spaces with?

If I were you OP, it looks like cats only in the future.

I don't think it's a horrible compromise, but that being said have your animals always slept in the bed with you? I think if they have, kicking them out now is kind of mean. That being said, some people just aren't comfortable with it. If it's allergy related, that's also different. Can you maybe ask him to compromise to let current pets who have always slept in the bed to keep sleeping there, but agree that future pets will not be allowed?

As others said...what's the point of a completely outdoor animal?

If you live on a farm and have a safe, warm place for them in winter and a safe, cool place for them in summer then yes, a completely outdoor dog will be fine. Hell, if it's a border collie it will probably even be happier outside.

But if you're talking a yellow lab or a yorkshire terrier then that is just plain cruel.

Not letting them into your bedroom, fine. Not letting them in the house is silly. And studies show kids are actually healthier when you have a pet in the house, but your FH sounds to me like the kind of person who would get rid of a pet for the inconvenience of having their fur in the house or having to take care of a pet with a medical problem or with kids.

Pets are not a fun thing you have when they are convenient. They are a member of the family or you do not have them.

FH had indoor animals growing up, but none once he moved out on his own. I had an indoor cat when we met. He has a mild cat allergy (if he pets the cat and then touched his eyes they get red and itchy). He knew that if it was a choice between him and the cat, the cat would win. We now have two cats.

I think keeping an animal outside all of the time is cruel. Where I live, it will get -20 with wind chill. How can you leave an animal outside in that, even if you let them in the garage.

My aunt and uncle have two dogs who live in the garage and outside. They have a mini farm (20 chickens, 6 alpaca and a goat) in Kentucky, and I don't think it is cruel to have the dogs not inside (my uncle is also very allergic). Their garage is heated though so it sounds a bit different than the outdoor dog house. Just pointing out that there are other people who do this, and that there are situations where dogs not being allowed inside is not abusive.

Maybe you could talk to your FH about making an attached dog house that is heated? What breed of dog does he have? That would also make a difference.

I grew up in a household where we put our animals first and treated them like apart of the family. In all honesty, if I would have met FH and he had a dog that he made live outdoors I would have been pissed and made him keep it indoors. If he wouldn't change his views on it - I would have not dated him. I love love love dogs. They are not meant to live outdoors. Theres no way I would allow it. Just my personal opinion.

FH has never been an animal person and made a deal that for every dog we had, we would have to have a kid. So far we have 1 dog and he has already said when we get married we will have to get another one so she has a friend since dogs are pack animals and need interaction - and we have 0 kids.

He would let my parents dogs come up to him and he would pet them but he has definitely become more open to them and with our dog lets her lick him. He also swore no dogs in the bed yet less than 3 weeks of having our puppy and she went form the crate to the bed at night.

Someone who never let an animal inside would be a deal breaker for me. Especially when it is a pack animal.

ETA: You say he has a huge germ phobia yet he works on a farm? And what will he do when you have kids? A dog inside is the perfect way to get over his issue with germs. Otherwise don't have one. Also I don't see any problems if people don't let the animals on beds/furniture, some people have allergies and that is a good way to help keep them under control

If his concern is about germs and hair with an indoor dog, will he be able to cope with an indoor cat? Litter boxes and people who don't like germs don't really mix, and my cat sheds just about as much as my two dogs. I love pets and want everyone to have all the animals they want, but I'm concerned that your FH might not cope well when he has to live with an indoor cat and I worry how that might impact your relationship and living situation together. How is he with the germs and fur when he spends time at your house?

I'm sorry you're going through, this, this would have me stressed too. You said you've been feeling depressed, are you doing ok? Have you talked to someone about it?

My point is why get a pet if it's an inconvenience to you? Like what's the point in that? Let someone else have it that will cherish and enjoy spending time with it.