Youve got problems, Ive got advice.

This advice isnt sugar-coatedin fact, its sugar-free, and may even be a little bitter.

Welcome to Tough Love.

This week we have a man who hates dogs and is marrying a woman who loves dogs.

This ones going to be ruff (sorry).

I simply want to give you the tools you should probably enrich your damn lives.

If for whatever reason you dont like my advice, feel free tofile a formal complaint here.

Now then, lets get on with it.

If we do not patch this up, our marriage and relationship is off.

I hate dogs and she loves dogs.

I was traumatized years ago by dogs.

I cannot stand to be around dogs, much less live with them.

She loves dogs and refuses to give up her two dogs.

We love each other and truly want to clear this jam.

What do you suggest we do?

Is this really something that never came up before you popped the question?

I mean, Im assuming you knew she had dogs.

There was one probably licking your face while you were down on one knee.

What was the plan here, Wrong Tree?

Youd propose then shed immediately agree to abandon her pups?

Pets are basically considered family to most people, so this is a big ask.

That being said, theres bound to be a way to compromise here.

If you were traumatized by an incident involving dogs, your future wife needs to understand and respect that.

Its vital that you make this about expressing your discomfort, not about how you hate them.

That may be true, but just saying you hate them is not going to make her understand.

For example, if I tell someone I hate cake theyll just go What?

How could you hate cake?

Here, try this one.

This one is really good.

Of course, it’s crucial that you understand and respect her side of this too.

You jumped into this like, Lets get married, but you have to ditch your kids.

Its not theexactsame thing, but if shes one of those crazy dog lovers it pretty much is.

From what I can gather,youhave a problem and youre expectingherto bend over backwards to account for it.

Thats not a great way to start things off.

After that, you’re free to reassess the situation.

No matter what, though, Id recommend seeing a marriage counselor about this.

Theyll make finding that middle ground so much easier.

This doesnt have to be the thing that ruins an otherwise loving relationship, doggone it!

Sincerely,a cat person