Originally posted by PayItForward
It is generally unacceptable to have an outside only pet, when NO other option exists.

If there is only one outcome, outside in garden versus outside in high kill shelter, people pick the most humane option.

But keeping any pet outside only is cruel, when they have the chance to be inside (or inside/outside IMO) either at no-kill shelters OR rehoming to an inside home.
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Julie,

Go with your heart, if you can afford to keep him safe and sound, who are we to argue.

A cheeky question, can't the doggie come inside at your house ? (After a proper introduction with the kitty kats of course)

To answer both points above:

1) I was refreshed by the open-mindedness of the responses, taking the circumstances and available options for the dog into account. I WAS worried about getting flamed, so thanks everyone for being so understanding.

2) The dog can't come inside because that is the condition which my husband has stipulated. He has been totally against having pets here, as he knows how expensive it will be to re-locate them. Three years ago he agreed to take Ally in, and last year when Connor was on "Death Row"at the high-kill shelter, he relented and agreed to cat #2. They also have restrictions - they have their own "bedroom" (the kitchen) and are not allowed in the lounge or dining room at all. Small price to pay for having them in my life!

I don't want to turn this into a debate about equality in marraige or anything, the fact is that he LOVES dogs, but is not prepared to have ANYTHING messing up the house (the cats are restricted to certain areas, the kids clean up after themselves, and a dog will not be allowed inside). I am grateful that I have the cats, and would be able to at least give this dog a home, albeit NOT inside the house.

I would of course be only too happy to give the dog up to a good inside/outside home but I must be realistic. I will never place a "free to a good home" ad - there is a lot of dog-fighting and cock-fighting etc here in Bahrain. People will not pay for a "pavement special" dog. I will do my best through my animal welfare contacts to find him a home, but I will offer him the best that I can.