NWR: but did you have to compromise with animals?

A bonus plus to having a dog inside is that they guard your house. They can't very well do that from the backyard. Reason with your husband this way. Point out that it's an investment against home invasion!

We compromised in that my FH knows I always want to have one dog. Two at the most. And he said that's fine, as long as I don't want to breed dogs or something!

I agree with many of the posters here. Dogs are pack animals. They need their people. You can keep the dog out of the bedroom and you can train the dog to stay off furniture, if that's your FH's issue.

The way I see it is that an animals that either person has are part of the package, but after your together, both people get an equal say in any future animals or the house rules. If you both have different ways of having animals, it will just take compromise in the future. Maybe have an outside house. but they can still come inside sometimes?

If he doesn't like the mess, shedding, and germs that come with having an animal it might be best to just not have one. In my opinion, cats should not go outside and dogs should be in the house most of the time. Pets should be part of the family. I could not imagine leaving my dog out in the rain, heat of the summer or extreme cold of winter.

@OGAlecia, just said exactly what I was thinking. My partner being anti-animal to the point they'd have to live outside and wouldnt be allowed in our bedroom (as I love animal snuggles) would be a deal breaker for me.

That poor dog must be so lonely! They're pack animals. They need a pack. For most, that's the role their humans fulfill. They aren't meant to live in isolation with little contact.

I wouldn't have kept dating FH if he hadn't been receptive to my animals. Fortunately, the very first time he came over to my place he asked to hold the bunny and then spent a full hour playing with the dog. It let me know right off the bat we had similar priorities.

DH is allergic to cats. I've always had a cat and I love them but we can't have one. We might get a dog eventually but not anytime soon. I'm definitely compromising on the cat.

Aww I can't see letting my dog outside all the time especially in winter .

I am torn with this whole post. My uncle lives in Kansas and has working dogs. They live outside too. Its part of the working dog theory- dogs shouldn't be treated as pets. IMO- I wouldn't want to get another dog with him though.

We have one dog that we are forced to kennel while I am at work . That eats away at my soul for the 5 hours he is in there until I am home. . I couldn't imagine him being outside everyday.

I also don't understand how he is a germophobe if he farms?? That has me baffled.

As far as the cat outside the bedroom, my one cat has been trained as much as you can train a cat to stay out of our bedroom. I just make sure I snuggle with Cleopatra as much as possible and she sleeps with my other children now.

I didn't read all the comments but DOG AND ANIMAL LOVER HERE!! It would probably be a deal breaker for me if my husband wouldn't let our dog inside our house. Our animals are our children. For me a compromise would be not to have them on the furniture or on your bed but they should definitely be allowed inside your damn house.

We do have to compromise, but I would never have my puppers outside! More stuff like - don't turn the house into a zoo, keep them washed so it doesn't smell like dog, not on the bed (I'd be lying if I said I didn't cuddle in bed with a puppy when he's not around---), train them not to jump or beg etc. That's the kind of stuff you compromise. Abandoning them outside by themselves is not a compromise.

My dog would have a heart attack if he couldn't come inside the house, but he's also a prissy little thing. So, here's my deal. I am allergic to almost all animals, and especially to cats, which means my FH can never have a cat. It's not something I can compromise on, b/c it's an epi-pen situation. He loves cats, but he loves me more, thankfully.

My dog allergy thankfully does not include my dog, who is a Maltese, doesn't shed at all, and is tiny and relatively clean (except when he's an asshole when it rains and poops in the house). I recommend a Maltese, because they're a cleaner and easier indoor pet option than a cat by a MILE. Bring it up with FH and see what he thinks. If I can have one, ANYONE can.

We got a kitten and FH said he didn't want him in the bedroom and softened up night one when the kitten mewed outside the door. Maybe he'll change but I wouldn't get any new animals until you are sure.

FH was not a cat person til I came along. He tried to tell me my cat, who slept in bed with me for 6.5 of 7 years of his life, wasn't allowed on the couch or in our room.

Well 6 months living together and I come home to them cuddled up on the couch and he sleeps between us every night.

I get no dogs on the bed but my animals will not be left outside. I couldn't marry someone who wasn't willing to compromise on that. FH knew he needed to compromise or I'd pick the cat over him.

No. No. NO. My dog would have to be inside with me. They get cold and hot too like we do! I can't stand people who leave their pets outside. Seems so cruel to me.

I am going to leave out criticizing your FH, and focus on you. If it was me, I couldn't be with someone who didn't love dogs. I also couldn't be with someone who liked cats. Cats are not my thing. I would be a horrible cat mom because I am just not interested. So, I don't have cats. But we have one dog and treat him like a kid. He goes everywhere he possibly can with us. Our bed is not "our bed" it's Charley's bed. He sleeps where he wants and we fit in around him lol. He brings so much joy and happiness to us, I can't imagine not having him. For me, an anti-dog lover would be a deal breaker. A guy who is a germaphobe and not an animal love shouldn't have pets.

The compromise isn't "keep the pet outside".

The compromise is "don't have pets or find a new fiance".

I think it's unfair to make a dog stay outside all the time. It gets below freezing where I live, and I feel bad leaving her outside for too long. I think rules like no bedroom and not being allowed on couches is a fair compromise. I seriously think it's wrong to get a dog if you won't welcome it into your home.

Keeping a dog outside at all times is cruel.

I grew up on a farm with 8-10 farm dogs, and they weren't allowed in the main house (grandmother was in a wheelchair, 10 dogs and wheelchair don't mix) but they had their own house. Like a legit house, my uncle lived in the house as well. Farm dog or not, they should never be left outside 24/7!

Animals as pets are a 15 year commitment to nurture, care for, and love. I don't see the point in having a dog that remains outdoors at all times, I feel that is a cruel way to treat a family member.

I'm with others who say they. wouldn't have even dated their SO if they did not see eye to eye or at least complimentary on pet care.

OP, I don't envy your position. I would gather up all the positive articles by vets and humane animal associations to back up your arguments on why pets live longer, happier, and healthier lives while indoors (or at least indoor/outdoor). If the bedroom is the compromise that would be ok as long as the pets have their own indoor beds that they can call their own.

Okay I didn't come here to get "it's cruel to have your animal outside" and all the others things. Right now we don't live together. But when we do the only animal that will be coming with is my cat. Fh dog will remain on thw farm with his parents. And in the cold weather it goes into a heated shop. She can come and go how ever she wants. And its not that he doesnt like them but he didnt grow up like i did as they are family. He doesnt like germs and he feels weird with them in the house and while your cooking and what not. He really doesn't like hair that gets everywhere and that's his biggest thing. It's not illegal to leave dogs outside here. And they usually are outside with it and she follows them around. The dog gets fed and has a warm place in the winter. But I didn't need all the hate about how it's bad. I really just need advice and thoughts.