Hey, new account just cause I want to use a private one... Anyway, I live with my GF, who is amazing.  We've lived together for several years and we get along great.  We're totally on the same page on a lot of big issues - finances, work/life balance, we do chores together, etc rarely argue.  We work together and compromise so well on so many things. She really is my best friend and I know that I'm hers -- i mean she really is the one.

There is one thing though we just don't see eye to eye on... This may seem kinda trivial, but she really wants a dog and I really don't.  I never grew up with a dog so maybe I'm really not getting something.. The reasons I don't want a dog are first of all the responsibility, it would need to be taken care of, walked, fed, vet, etc (and as much as she says it will be "her" dog, I know it will ultimately be my dog as well and these will become joint responsibilities).  Second, less freedom with travel, third I know it will make the house dirty and while I wouldn't say I'm a neat freak... all my friends with dogs have this kinda 'dog' feel to their house and I don't like it.

I don't see the positives of a dog.  I understand for many people, a dog is a friend that will give you unconditional love.. but I have friends/family and of course her, all of whom I care about much more than I think I could ever care about a dog.  To me a dog kinda seems like having a kid who will forever be a toddler.  (As a side note, we both want a kid maybe 4 or 5 years down the road from now.  I understand having a kid has all the same downsides, but the positive of it is that we'll get to bring a human into this world... if that kid was basically a toddler forever than NO, I would never want a kid... That's a dog to me!)

We've talked about this many times before, we do communicate really well, she gets where I'm coming from but I know she still really wants a dog.  Like any big decision, she won't get a dog unless I'm on board.  So I kinda am the one standing in the way of her love of dogs.  Am I the asshole for not giving in?

tl;dr GF really wants a dog, I don't. 