Hubby wants a dog

I agree with you, it can impossible to leave the house for long unless one takes the dog everywhere. Vet bills are expensive, not to mention insurance. It adds to the expense of holidays if you cannot take the dog with you. Would he remain responsible for exercising the dog or would you end up doing it? Has he had a dog before or is this just a whim?

Could he find a local charity that cares for dogs and walk the dogs regularly and make a fuss of them but not have the responsibility of looking after them long term?

Well, a dog in retirement can be a very good thing, to get both of you out walking.They are also an ice breaker with meeting new people.True, any pet is a tie, but you can take a dog on holiday if you want to, and if not, there are kennels.The right kind of dog could be a good thing for the DGC, they may see he is friendly, nothing to be afraid of. if truly allergic, that could be a problem if they live near you and would not then be able to visit you.

A lot of people say are allergic, when they simply do not like animals.

A home without a dog and cat is not a home... for me.

When our 2 leave us (they are a 16 and about 18)- we will have a gap probably- so we can do that big trip to OZ, Tasmania and NZ- and then we will definitely have a dog and cat again. I am planning to advertise for another couple to adopt 2 dogs that get on well from a local rescue, and right from the start, have each other's to stay for week-ends and holidays.

I agree, garnjura I have a cat and although I would love a dog, I know that I could not give it the care that it needs. I have had cats since 1979 and a dog when I was a child.

I've always kept cats but since I retired and OH was near retirement I have appreciated being pet free as our last 2 cats reached a grand old age and had to be PTS for various reasons.
I've never liked depending on someone to look after my cats when I wanted a holiday and we curtailed our time away for just this reason. Now we are free to come and go as we please.
I think there are some excellent suggestions here that may help you convince your Hubby to consider another solution other than getting a dog that you may well resent .

With children now adults and grandchildren in their teens, our two dogs, cat and nine chickens satisfy my maternal needs. DH sometimes gets a look in

I would say I couldn't contemplate a life without animals but the day will come when we have to make the decision not to replace our pets when they die.

When our children were growing up we had all manner of furry creatures, including dogs and cats. Now our children between them have 3 dogs, 3 cats and several guinea pigs thrown in for good measure! We've been looking after one of the dogs this week and loved having her here, I certainly walked more than I would otherwise have done and as always when we have her I think how lovely it would be....BUT then I remember the disadvantages and realise why we have chosen to be pet free nowadays!

Dogs take a lot of looking after, and are a big responsibility. DH or less often me takes our dog out at say 9.30 a nd back at say about 11 to 11.30 then the same during g late aftern oon. Then there's I nsurance, food, grooming, arranging holiday cover. At the moment he needs a bath, and of course a good brush. BUT he is an absolute dear and part of our family we couldn't possibly be without him. We are fitter and he gives us much joy. Dog's wheedle their way into your heart
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I can see your concerns, but there are positives as well as negatives.

One thing your husband would have to consider is whether he would want to walk the dog for at least half an hour and at least twice a day - in all weathers. If he is prepared to do that, he will get a lot more fresh air and exercise and, if he is missing the social element of being at work, he may well feel more part of the community through meeting other dog owners and stopping for a chat.

A dog is, in my opinion, a wonderful - and often amusing - companion. It has also been proven that stroking a dog (and presumably a cat) reduces high blood pressure and has other physical and mental health benefits.

If you do not have a friend or relative who would be willing to look after your dog when you go away or you would find it financially difficult to put the dog in a kennel, I can see that that might be a problem. If you mainly holiday in the UK, there are hotels who accept dogs and good self-catering companies who have a small range of dog-friendly accommodation. We nearly always take our dog away with us.

Has your husband considered that there are other expenses to be borne in mind - insurance, vaccinations, food, flea/parasite treatments, etc. etc. and all this can add up to a fair amount over time?

Is it definite that your daughter and granddaughter have an allergy to dogs - even short haired dogs?

I have several friends and family - particularly Asian friends and family - who are generally quite scared of dogs but who have, gradually and over a period of time, come to trust and like our dog once they see how friendly and gentle he is.

I sense, though, that you're pretty adamant about not wanting a dog and so - for everyone's sake, including the dog - it may not be a good idea.

I know someone who has dogs to stay in her home while owners are on holiday. She can specify wants eg must be good with children and even earns a small amount of money, rather than it being an expense. Could something like this be used as a trial run? Or even instead of a permanent commitment?

After having dogs all our married life, we're now dog-free and oddly enough we don't intend to have any more.
All our dogs have been rescued mutts, dearly loved and missed and I cannot face losing another one, hence the decision.

We have a dog. We are both retired. She is walked 4 times a day whatever the weather. She is very lovable and I wouldn't be without her. She helps us keep fit. Fortunately we have two sets of friends who are happy to have her when we go away. We also have a cat. I think animals help make a house a home!

Eloethan has highlighted all the main points, I would just like to add that if your DD and DGD are afraid of dogs, it may be a good idea to get a gentle older rescue mut to help them overcome their fear. i have a friend who is scared stiff of dogs and loves walking. It ruins her outings and limits her social life.

We've been dog free for ten years now and I do miss having one. But the house does stay cleaner and we are able to get our dog fix looking after our DC's dogs when they're away.

Perhaps walking a Cinnamon Trust dog would be a good test? They look for long and short term fosterers as well. It would provide the dog fix, help an infirm person (and their dog) and introduce him to the local dog walking community without the long term tie.

Because we're both working full time it just wouldn't be fair on a dog. I'm very sure our house is a home, dog or no dog!

Would you consider fostering a dog?
Many of the specific dog breed charities place all their dogs in foster homes, rather than kennels. Foster carers can take breaks between dogs. Your husband can enjoy the companionship, walks etc without the vets bills. The charity I'm involved with assesses and supports its foster carers. It also pays for food and vet bills. I've only had one 'difficult' dog and that one was an older dog who had never had boundaries set properly. She soon responded to proper exercise, diet and training classes though.

How about a Virtual dog?

The Cinnamon Trust is a charity which helps elderly people care for their dogs if they have to go into hospital etc. They are looking for dog walkers and fosterers now. Might be worth thinking about. When it comes to allergies dogs which have wool as opposed to fur may not pose a problem. Things like poodles and those little Tibetan mountain dogs which I dare not try and spell in case the resulting word offends. Even just looking to walk a dog locally. Then you get the fun and not the responsibility, bit like grandchildren really.

Shitz zhu Alima?

That's the one, thanks loopylou!

Be very careful about dogs whose breeders claim they won't shed or cause allergies. The charity that re-homes poodles and any poodle cross has some excellent information on its web site about so called hypo allergic dogs. (Doodle Trust) Research seems to indicate that its dog saliva rather than fur that causes allergies.

I did want to get another dog when we retired, but we decided not to. Although we miss having one to take for walks and for company, I think having the freedom to go away without worrying about kennel fees and vet's fees is sensible. The cost of kennel fees would be the same as the cost of a flight to visit the DDs overseas.
You can get over the longing for another dog - the DDs have dogs so I can enjoy theirs when I visit them.

He could volunteer to be a puppy walker for Guide Dogs.

Actually the GC are very much part of my always wanting a dog and cat. Their father won't let them have a pet- and for them- ours are the only opportunity they have to enjoy pets 'through' us.