The Great Dog Debate

After hurt feelings and much talk, Mr. B&B is willing to consider a puppy, maybe.

I told him it is awfully hard when he is away either working during the day (sometimes long into the night) or on business travel for anything from 3 days to a week. A puppy would be a great companion.

I told him I will be home over the summer and into next spring writing my thesis. Good time to train a puppy.

I told him I never lived without dogs until he came into my life and though I intend to be with him forever, I don't intend to live without a dog forever.

I told him that though he may not know anything about dogs (he has never lived with one), I do and I can teach him and we can work together.

I told him that on Saturday night when he said that "dogs are annoying", being a woman and being me my mind went to many places including the place when it began to think "If he thinks a dog is annoying because it wants to know the rules, it wants to eat, it wants a place to sleep, and it asks for a little attention every now and then... How is he ever going to be a father?"

I told him that as much as I love our cat and the time she does choose to spend with me, she is not the same as a dog.

I asked him to be open-minded and, at some point, give it a chance.

He said, "O.K. We'll see."

Progress.