You can have dogs in your house and still be hygenic! People whose houses smell of their pets are nasty standard and their house would be dirty pet or no pet. When i was a kid we had cats, fish, a puppy and part share of a horse (not at the same time!). My parents have dogs in JA too which they love (although they stay outside). I've always loved animals. I really believe they have a thereputic effect on my mood. Even if i'm ill i seem to feel better if there's an animal around, they're just such simple, happy company and don't argue with you!

Anyway i became allergic to cats so i bought a puppy because i work from home and am sometimes lonely. He sits with me in my study and lives in the house. He comes running with me at lunchtime too. His basket is downstairs. We bought a large catflap (he's a miniture so won't grow big) and trained him to use it to do his business outside (which i always clean up!). He's got short hair and doesn't like getting dirty so avoids mud and stuff. He's very cat like. I think i'm slightly OCD too (my husbands always telling me off for stinking up the house with bleach) so always clean my house thoroughly, even more so now i have the dog as i would be devastated if anyone said they could smell pet in the house. My house is pretty big and airy so it makes it easier to stay fresh anyway. He's got a good sized garden and i walk/run him every day. I knew that the first thing i wanted after moving from a flat to a house was a dog and i love him. On another note my husband and i rarely argue now as when we argue the dog picks up the vibe and gets really distressed so he's even helped my relationship!