I am sorry I missed the beginning of this thread, but it's so weird that you started it, katie blue. I
just had this conversation today with the lady who gave me our precious Maggie (black lab). Lately, she's been impossible to get outside in the mornings when we leave. She heads immediately for her crate and will not come out. We just feel so sorry for her, being in there all day. But she hates going outside unless we go with her. So, my friend and I think that she needs a playmate. But, hubby is dead set against it. Says he spends too much time tending "the herd". We also have two cats inside, and two outside that I adopted when the neighbor moved away and left them. So, I can understand his viewpoint, but I just think Maggie would be a much happier little lab with a friend. Any more ideas on how to convince him?