Snoopy Snooze
From: Name Withheld
Dear Rabbi,
We are a Jewish couple with a two-and-a-half year old "chewish" dog that is our only "child." She is very clean, very lovable and pretty well-behaved. My wife wants her to sleep in our room every night with us. I don't think it's appropriate. I think the bedroom should be private. What do you think?
Dear Name Withheld,
It's difficult to give a definitive answer to a question about someone else's private affairs, especially since it doesn't only concern you, but it concerns a very important and significant other (No, I don't mean your dog!). But I can offer my opinion.
I agree with you very strongly that your room should be a private place for husband and wife, and your "child" shouldn't be there (especially if above the age of bark-mitzvah).
I suggest that, without causing any marital strife, you try to get your wife to agree to other arrangements for your "child." Perhaps you could make some kind of trade-off, like agreeing to spend some extra special time each day with the dog, e.g., reading to it, or helping it with its homework.
In dog terms, your "child" is over 17 years old and that’s old enough to sleep alone. Make her a really comfortable little spot she can call her own, and she'll be happy as a hound.
