the gift that doesn't want to be given

Matt doesn't want to give me this gift, but is going to. Matt dropped a huge bomb this weekend, but only under stipulations. I can get a dog for my Christmas present. At first, I was so excited! Even though the stipulations decreases my options and is causing me to consider breeds I have never considered before. The stipulations are: (1) has to be a medium size dog at largest, which is fair because we will probably end up in a small place, (2) can't shed (too much), (3) can't step paw on the couch or in the bedroom, and (4) cannot be in any family photos.

Now, I was thinking why would I want to bring a dog into our family when Matt doesn't want it? Is that fair to the dog and me?

Friends with the same experience say that Matt will end up loving the dog, like their husbands, family and friends unexpectedly do. I hope so. Anytime I ask Matt a question about the kind of dog to get, his response is, "I don't care, it's your dog.". No fun! I think Matt has had bad experiences with dogs, he says he hasn't.

I have been searching petfinder.com like crazy and looking up rescue shelters to go to when we get to Dallas and I don't know when the right dog will enter our lives, so I figure this will be a long process. As badly as I want a dog, I don't want to rush this.

Since Matt's stipulations automatically nixed out my all-time favorite dog, the Golden Retriever, I have to search smaller, less hairy options. My brother Steve, introduced me to the Stafforshire Bull Terrior and I found out about the American Staffordshire Terrior after research and this is my top choice, as of now. Even though they look tough, they are sweethearts.

(My first print screen, woop woop!)

I am also so excited to report, that when we get to Dallas I will have a chance to meet and help take care of Steve's new English Bulldog, Walter. Hanging out with Steve will be cool, too. I am hoping this will help Matt ease into dogs more.

 Steve and Walter