@cicerone imposter,
I don't think he does really understand the full meaning of the consequences.
Maybe he need a stranger who he's not emotionally involved with to point out the reality that his refusing to do something temporarily, he will end up with a permanent loss.
It would be pretty bad if 5, 20, 30 years from now he thinks, "why didn't I just go? I didn't have to lose my dog"
Rather than think of his own desires, he can fall back on concentrating on another living things needs.
The dog needs him more than he desires to not go to cadet activites.
Desires, needs. Needs should always come out on top.
I don't want to assume he's already thought of all this. If he had, chances are he wouldn't have come here.