You say the daughter doesn't interest you now, but you think she will eventually.

You adopt a pet with the hope of having a companion who brings you no harsh judgment, special fun and entertaining moments, companionship, comfort and love.

In the back of your head, you still know it's going to die one day, and cause you a lot of emotional grief when it does (unless you're a psychopath, I guess, then it's all gravy baby).

So there's a chance when she's older, mum will still trust you as she sees you two growing closer. More of a chance she would not, and at best you'd have to keep secrets, which never ends well. A best case scenario would be the mother decides she doesn't like your bonding with her daughter, and she breaks up and leaves, forbidding her daughter to ever see you again. To me, that doesn't feel so different than the grief of losing a close pet. Was it worth it to have been licked and lost, than never been licked at all?

I don't know for sure. I would have adopted my pets all over again despite the grief of losing them later.

Oyoh, depending on some of your own choices or your self-imposed limits, there's a chance that things could end even worse than that. If you're absolutely rolling in money, I suppose there are ways to ease the strife and part ways (see Prince Andrew and their kind). If you're not, then with all the potential wonderful stuff, there could later be some terrible stuff.

There's no way to really know the answer. Depends on you, her, her daughter, and other people who choose to be nosy and involve themselves. Still, as I was saying in LL tonight, it would be nice to grow old with woman/partner that you were at least mildly attracted to, who would understand and accept your attractions, and in my personal case.. cook you a mean dinner every night.

No easy answers, LGsouL, but I'm sure our answers will get ripped apart anyway! I'm looking forward to it.