Why don't you have a dog?

We don't have a dog, never have and probably never will; so, it's become a habit for people we know to ask us every time they see us: “Why don't you guys have a dog?”

While we are used to hearing the question, we don't necessarily enjoy it, as we often perceive it as meaning: “What's wrong with you folks for not having a dog?” This sneaky question infers that if we don't even have a dog, we must be bad people because only mean creatures don't love dogs; well, you catch my drift...

In fact, the more I think about it, the more I feel this particular question is the same as asking couples “Why don't you have kids?” to which the inevitable answer should be “None of your business!” right?

So when someone will ask us why we don't have any dog, will answer it by a question (always a wise strategy) that will confront the enquirers by asking them if they would dare asking a childless couple why they don't have any progeny. This exchange might sound a bit harsh, but I promise to test it and let you know how it flies.

An alternative answer could also take the form of a statement like “We'd love to have dogs, but with so many irresponsible dog owners that let their pooch roam around without a leash or don't pick up after them, we would hate to be perceived as joining their ranks; we know what we're talking about, wandering dogs have already banged our cars twice and we pick poop everyday around our house...”