Would You Give Up Your Pet for a Relationship?

According to many news sources, AP-Petside.com did a poll asking people if they would give up their pet for a romantic relationship. What if the person you were dating didn't like pets? Would you continue to date this person? What if you were considering moving in with someone and they told you your pet had to go?

According to the Associated Press article, 84 percent of the people polled said they would choose their significant other over their pet, while 14 percent said they would keep the pet. I asked the following question on Facebook and got very different results quotes:

"Say you were dating a fabulous person and were discussing living together. The person asked you to give up your pet, because they either didn't like animals or were afraid of your dog. What would you do?"

Emma Bruns, Pennsylvania: "The pet would stay. If the person didn't like, or was afraid of my pet, the relationship wouldn't have made it that far. It would be like asking me to get rid of a child."

Lyn Lomasi, Colorado: "An animal is a lifetime commitment and a family member, just like a child. If a person cannot accept my pets, I cannot accept them."

Keith Thacker, Mississippi: "Most people that have a pet won't give it up and anybody that asks you to has no respect for you. This should send up a red flag as to their character."

Patrice Campbell, Colorado : "I think it is an arrogant and controlling request. Did they not know about the dog or cat in the beginning of the relationship? How do they feel about your mother?"

Derek Odom, California : "Oh that person would be GONE, immediately. It starts with pets and ends up with everything. Relationships are teamwork and compromise; there are no two ways about that."

Bridget Irene Delaney, Louisiana "I could never get rid of my pet. My pet and I are a package deal."

Beth Conley Wheat, Illinois: "My pets would stay. They are my fur babies and are a very important part of me. I wouldn't get rid of them for anyone for any reason."

Gayle Crabtree, Tennessee: "My dog would never ask me to choose. If the guy that I was dating asked me to choose, it would make him very sad. There's no doubt about it. The guy would be heartsick over missing me and my dog!"

Andrea Coventry, New York: "My kids (aka pets) are a great judge of character, and I trust them. Someone who would ask me to get rid of them would never have made it past the screening process. Side note: The canine approves of the current one, Woot!"

Emma Riley Sutton from Oklahoma had quite a bit to say on the matter: "I only dated men who my dogs loved. I'd go out with them 3 times, on my own, and then they would meet my dog. If they didn't get along, there wasn't another date.

Of course, on the first date I would pull out photos of my babies and made it quite clear that we were a package deal, so that was never an issue. Love me, love my dog; love me, don't love my dog, love me from afar!"

Emma also added, "Dogs are great judges of character. I have trusted my dogs' judgment much more than mine. Even when the background check on the person I dated came back perfect, if my dogs didn't like him he was history. By the way, the background checks were done on the first or second date. It might have been cheaper to let the dog's meet him on the first date!"

So there you have it! My little non-official poll rendered 100 percent in the pet's favor. So, what is your opinion on choosing the pet over a relationship? There could be circumstances, such as pet allergies, or phobias that might have to be taken into consideration.

This poll was done for entertainment and informational purposes only. If you find yourself in this situation, only you can decide what is best for you and your pet.