from USA Weekend
Q: "Charlie, my boyfriend of nine months, despises cats. I don't really know why - he doesn't give me a straight answer. He says he won't visit anymore as long as I have Bella. I really do like Charlie, but Bella has been my friend for 11 years. I've had her since she was a kitten. Do you think his request is fair?"
My answer: I guarantee that Bella will be devoted to you for the rest of your life. I'm not sure the same is true about Charlie. if it were true, we he be asking you to relinquish your friend? Sorry Charlie.
Lots of people wrote about this one...it's about 50/50 as to who agreed with me, or not.
Among all the comments - this is my favorite, a 'snail mail' letter. Nick offered a David Letterman-like list about why he hates pets, then in his note, "Terrible advice. Dump an otherwise good guy just because he hates cats?!? You make an awful marriage counselor. Hey, maybe you should have told this women to marry her dumb cat. BTW: The only reason pets are 'devoted' to owners is because they see you as walking can openers. your friend, Nick."
Nick also included a card (a little late for Christmas - but that's ok), a note about why he hates pets, a scribbling about 'pet kooks,' (apparently I am one of those) and cartoons that insult pets. A nice package, though. Thank you Nick.
there's something wrong with charlie. it may not be totally obvious right now, but somebody who would behave this way has got something wrong with him.
Who the heck would give up an 11-year old cat just because some guy says he doesn't like cats?
This is what I would tell her:
What if he says he doesn't like blondes (if you were blonde), would you dye your hair brown? What if he did not like Fords, would you trade in your car? Where does it end. The guy sounds like an ass. I could understand being allergic and not wanting to come over, but even so, I still would not give up my pet. Love me, love my pets... or at least tolerate them.
If Charlie is going to ask her to give up her cat of 11 years, it means he doesn't love her for who she is. Bella is part of who she is and it sounds that the relationship is doomed from the beginning. So if she gives up the cat now and he later becomes too demanding for more changes later leading to the break up of the relationship later, guess what? No Charlie AND no Bella.