[ He doesn't reply verbally to the first part, but there's a few moments where he looks conflicted — his heart agrees with the sentiment, but his rational mind does not. So, in a classic display of avoidance, he just moves on from the topic entirely. ]

You're correct, I don't have a dog. But even if I did, I probably would think twice about letting it live here... it seems like there would be unavoidable residential hazards.