I don't own a dog because I had to give one away when I was broke and young and on the move. I swore I would never put myself through that heartbreak again. Even though I have plenty of stability in my life now, they seem like more trouble than they are worth.
So my wife and I have a pact. When I want to pet something, she lets me pet her. And vice versa. It works out pretty well.
I do have close friends with dogs. My next door neighbor has a Bassett and a Dachsund. Another very close friend has a Westie. We babysit all these dogs from time to time when the owners are away, and we enjoy doing it. But I don't think I'd want one around all the time.
And, yes, my friends are guilty as hell of all these things.
