Spouse Or Pet? Tough Call

If you had to choose, which one has to go?

According to a new AP-Petside.com poll, a surprising number of married folks would take their pet over their spouse if it came down to it.  To be fair, 84 percent of pet owners would hold on to their spouse or significant other, but a whopping 14 percent picked their four-legged pal over the person they've chosen as a lifetime companion.

Both men and women were equally likely to go with their spouse or significant other, according to the poll, however, women are far more apt than men to say that the choice would "be a tough one".  (Forty percent among women as opposed to twenty-six percent of the men.)  There was also no difference between dog and cat owners:  thirty-five percent said that the choice would be a hard one.  

Personally, having lived in a household with two cats, a wife and two daughters I would have gladly tossed the feline ferrets out after the first hairball, but I was overruled.  Dogs I am willing to cut some slack, but their stock goes way down with each "sidewalk sundae" left in the middle of the living-room floor.  (If you have a spouse who is prone to that attention getting tactic, you're on your own.)

"Baby I'm yours."

All things considered, it would seem obvious that the "pet or spouse" conundrum is entirely relative.  Check out some of these pets and people and ask yourself which one you would choose given an ultimatum.  In other words, who would you be cool with making "no no" on that new oriental rug?

"Which way did he go boys?"

Screams high maintanence.

What the f...???

You'll have to admit he's kind of cute.

Ladies?

My guess is that fido doesn't have a chance

Probably not as faithful as a dog, but it's your call.

Helen, your cab is here!

The aptly named Andy Dick...won't make the cut.

Probably eats Alpo, but gone in a Hoboken heartbeat.

Cat? What cat?  Nope, don't have a dog either.