I'm pretty much convinced that the only ground cover that will tolerate 8 stampeding paws and next to no sunlight would be mulch, but my husband seems determined to grow something. He thinks we should give sod a try, and "just water the crap out of it". Please help me convince him that this will not work.

And then just for the heck of it, are there any living alternatives other to mulch for out circumstances?

thanks a lot for any advice!