Girlfriend loves man and his dogs but draws line at more

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been together for a while. He is the kindest, most considerate and thoughtful man I’ve ever dated.

We do not officially live together but spend the majority of the week together, mostly at his house.

He has three very large dogs we share the responsibility of caring for. They are not fixed, and he wants to have a litter of puppies (one of which he would keep). I strongly object for numerous reasons. He has people willing to give them good homes, but the female (whom I am very attached to) had severe postpartum for more than a year after her last litter. His house is currently in the midst of an endless renovation, the dogs are always on the furniture, and it’s a constant struggle to keep the place relatively clean from one day to the next, especially since I must also take care of my own house.

I’m a dog person, but three large dogs are already too much. I love the man, he is my best friend, and I love his dogs. But I’m getting to the point where if he decides to have another litter and take on the responsibility Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips. of another dog, it may be the breaking point for me. Would it be foolish of me to throw away a good relationship over this? – GOING TO THE DOGS IN CONNECTICUT

DEAR GOING: I don’t think so. If he is truly kind, considerate and thoughtful, he will take into consideration that you are handling as much responsibility as you can shoulder and not insist on yet another litter.

Because the last pregnancy was so hard on the female, it would be interesting to know what a veterinarian has to say about this. I’m wondering if your boyfriend may want to put her though this for money rather than love.

** Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. Dearabby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.