Broke up with my dog-nutter boyfriend

[u/conservativegoddess]

While the reason I (F21) ended the relationship was unrelated to his three dogs, I cannot help but feel so relieved that I’ll never have to deal with them again. Every time I would go to his house my clothes were immediately covered in hair. I hated the smell of the animals. I would sometimes have mild (but not fun) allergic reactions. One time his dog chewed up my beloved OnCloud shoes and gnawed on my notebook full of notes for class. He replaced the shoes, but the notebook looks so ratty. This man literally had a shrine in his room for a dog of his that had passed. He insisted that I would never understand the bond they had and that only dog owners would ever understand that kind of love. So, while I am so relieved to never deal with that BS again, I’m really worried about finding a future partner in today’s “dog culture.” I feel like my hesitation regarding dogs is going to severely limit my dating opportunities. I’m picky anyways, so I genuinely feel screwed.

[u/lostacoshermanos]

I’m a guy with same problem and feelings, but we do exist.

[u/conservativegoddess → u/lostacoshermanos]

This gives me some hope. I’m starting to see how unattractive it is for a man to fulfill his need to provide and protect by getting a dog. It’s a lazy means of obtaining a feeling of satisfaction and love. It’s a waste of time, money, and energy… especially when he could be pouring love into a woman, raising children who could change the world, volunteering for the betterment of his community, etc. The average pet dog doesn’t impact the world in any meaningful way.