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AIBU?

to call DH's bluff over this

45 replies

crunchernumber · 08/11/2012 20:58

Background. We have 2 DS, 6 & nearly 4.

As children, I had a dog and DH had a cat. We are very much dog v cat people and often have discussions over which are best. DH has always vetoed idea of having a dog and insisted that he wanted a cat. So much so, that he has convinced DSs that cats are best and dogs are rubbish. Obviously now they want a cat.

I actually quite like cats and would be happy to have one.

It has been subject of lots of discussion recently - what we would call them (DS2 has a ridiculous name in mind and we have joked we can't have one until he changes his mind), whether we would have boys or girls, who would be in charge of dealing with the dead animals etc. We decided that we would wait until DS2 was 4, which he nearly is.

Anyway, I was looking on the Cats Protection League website yesterday and they had 2 9 week old girl kittens which would be perfect. Although we were originally thinking about DS2's birthday (Feb/March time) I said we should think about it as there seemed to be lots of kittens around now and might not be many in spring.

DH said if I wanted to ring them I should. So I did.

CPL lady is coming to do a home visit tomorrow.

Except tonight DH seems to be distancing himself from the idea. He does this all the time. He has listed all the cons of having them, finishing with 'but I don't mind, it's up to you'. This is purely so that, if anything goes wrong (scratching furniture/getting run over) he can say 'see, told you that would happen'.

I asked him whether he was saying that we shouldn't get one and he kept repeating 'I'm not bothered, up to you' and 'another reason for not having one is'

He is now even denying that we have ever seriously discussed getting a cat.

AIBU to say actually it's not up to me, as if it was up to me we'd be having a dog. And if he doesn't actively want one and won't come out and say that this is something he wants to do, then we're not doing it.

And that he is the reason why we're not getting one.

Tempted to leave DH at the CPL to be honest! Angry

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Nigglenaggle · 08/11/2012 21:01

YANBU! Call that bluff! Call it! Bring home a puppy and say you take responsibility for that lol!

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crunchernumber · 08/11/2012 21:03

May I also add that he maintains we never discussed having a second child Grin

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HeadfirstForHalos · 08/11/2012 21:04

I'd tell him if it really is up to you, and he doesn't want any responsibility, then you will be looking for a puppy.

Well I wouldn't, because I'm a cat person, but if I were you that's what I'd say.

(Although the idea of crazy kittens shooting up and down the xmas tree is very cute Grin )

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MerryMarigold · 08/11/2012 21:04

Yes, I would find out what dogs are available from Dog's Trust and call his bluff on it!

We got a kitten from a sanctuary in Nov (2010) and she constantly had an eye infection for about 3 months. It was a very cold winter too. Be prepared for the smell of cat litter as you are not supposed to let them out till after their second set of jabs. That bit was hideous. And we couldn't train her to go outside until summer cos she didn't like the cold!

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HumphreyCobbler · 08/11/2012 21:05

call his bluff, this is truly irritating behavior

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Bogeyface · 08/11/2012 21:05

Say that as he isnt bothered and it is up to you, you have booked a home visit from whatever the equivalent charity is for dogs for Saturday!

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HazleNutt · 08/11/2012 21:06

Oh yes, call the bluff and get a puppy!

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PropositionJoe · 08/11/2012 21:08

Oh yes. Tell him you're getting a dog. Make him man up and say what he thinks, this sounds really annoying!

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crunchernumber · 08/11/2012 21:09

I can't do that (though would dearly love to) because boys are adamant that dogs are rubbish and don't want one Sad.

DH is, as usual, attempting to get what he wants without having to man up and take responsibility for it being his idea Angry

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Tuttutitlookslikerain · 08/11/2012 21:10

OMG are you me? DH does this all the time! He always says everything is up to me so he can blame me if it goes wrong eg holidays,cars, furniture, everything.

Please call his bluff and let me know how it goes, so I can do it to my DH!

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Nigglenaggle · 08/11/2012 21:12

Maybe he should take responsibility for explaining to the boys why you arent getting a kitten then? Take the boys to look round the nearest Dogs Trust centre one Saturday - they are lovely places and should be able to persuade them that dogs arent rubbish :)

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BooyhooRemembering · 08/11/2012 21:12

please dont get a dog unless everyone in the house wants it. it can breed so much resentment and usually ends up with the dog being rehomed. think really seriously about this. dont use a living creature to call someone's bluff.

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iloveeverton · 08/11/2012 21:13

Sounds like you'll be looking after it so go for the puppy.

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discrete · 08/11/2012 21:13

Your dc will change their minds about dogs when presented with a fluffy bundle of puppy.

Just do it Grin.

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Nigglenaggle · 08/11/2012 21:13

Hahaha me and DH often have arguements about who has to make the decision, cos neither of us want to - as in 'Up to you dear' 'No, up to you dear, your choice' 'You cant make me choose!!! Its your turn!!' etcetc :)

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crunchernumber · 08/11/2012 21:14

Booyhoo - I wasn't planning on getting a dog, merely pointing out to him that IF it genuinely was my decision, that's what I'd do.

What I'm trying to get through to him is that we can't have a cat unless he genuinely actively wants one, rather than hypothetically likes the idea.

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Nigglenaggle · 08/11/2012 21:15

Once a pet is in its in though, regardless of blame. Do not worry Booy, sure OP will be the same.

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Bogeyface · 08/11/2012 21:15

You dont have to actually get the dog, just use it as a threat so he goes back to his "I want a cat" stance, whereby you can say "Oh, ok, if you are absolutely sure"!

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discrete · 08/11/2012 21:15

Oh, and we were a very dog/cat couple (well, I liked both).

We now have 2 cats and 2 dogs and dh adores the dogs. Says he couldn't imagine living without them.

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firstpost · 08/11/2012 21:19

Cats just sort of fit in and mould to the family and tread softly through your life. A dog charges in and changes everything. Actually more similar to having a crazed toddler running around.

I have both :)

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Corygal · 08/11/2012 21:21

You so won't regret it, and your DH will prob fall in love all over again. Go for it.

Make sure you're not going away for Xmas tho, as the tiny will need 6 weeks with you to settle.

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Iheardthatpardon · 08/11/2012 21:22

I am a cat person. Dogs ok but in someone else's house! Grin
Cats are easier - no endless walks and poop picking up (well not quite the same) and no eating disgusting stuff and rolling in it... at least not in plain view.

That said, if you want a puppy all you need to do is show the boys some puppies and some puppy/dog stuff on youtube and they will be converted quite quickly. Children love animals.

re the DH - tell him you were only looking at kittens because of his preference but as he doesn't seem bothered, you will look for puppy as that is what you really want. He will change his tune pretty quick if he really wants cats.

He is putting the onus on you and the responsibility so that you will do all the looking after, sorting out vets, holiday care etc. As he 'didn't want them'. Angry

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BooyhooRemembering · 08/11/2012 21:23

"Once a pet is in its in though, regardless of blame. Do not worry Booy, sure OP will be the same."

i wish that were true. it just isn't in a lot of cases and the dog becomes a source of massive resentment and rows.

thanks for clarifying OP. I was really responding to the posts from other MNers encouraging you to do it. i know you didn't say you were going to Smile

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Nigglenaggle · 08/11/2012 21:26

With us thats how it is Booy, that was what I meant. Even if it bites us/chews furniture/poos in the nursery once its in the house its our business to make sure its ok.

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AdoraJingleBells · 08/11/2012 21:28

I get the same-ish from my OH. We have dogs. He wanted to buy 2 more puppies and tried telling me it was my decision and therefore my responsibility to clean up after them etc. I made it crystal clear that it was decision , I don't care if he buys 2 more dogs and will not be the only one picking up their poop. But they don't live inside with litter trays, so it's easier for me to leave it for him to pick up.

Just make sure everyone knows it's not purely your responsibily.

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