Rod: Marriage Should Be Like Owning a Dog

NEW YORK – Skirt-chasing rocker Rod Stewart says a marriage license should be more like a dog license - renewable every year.

"I think the vows should be changed, because they've been in existence for 600 years, when people used to live until they were only 35," Stewart says.

"So they only had to be with each other for 12 years, then they would die anyway.

"But now, it's a big commitment because you're going to be with someone for 50 years. It's impossible.

"The vows should be written like a dog's license that has to be renewed every year."

And the shaggy-haired pop superstar should know.

At 56, he has a notorious history of running after curvy blondes young enough to be his daughters.

The father of five has not even managed the 12 years he describes as the natural duration of any marriage.

He recently divorced his second wife, supermodel Rachel Hunter, after eight years of marriage and two kids.

His first marriage, to Alana Hamilton in 1979, lasted five years and produced two children.

He also has a daughter by former model Kelly Emberg.

But Rod - whose hits include "Maggie May," "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" and "Tonight's the Night" - insists that, despite his relaxed view of marriage, he's still well aware that love hurts.

He told Scotland's Daily Record that his most painful moment was when he broke up with Hunter, who walked away disgusted with rockin' Rod's endless flirtations.

"I was not ready for that. It was so unexpected. No one had ever left me before. I was ill-equipped for it," Stewart said.

He argues his idea is grounded in reality.

"It's such a rarity for people to stay together that 68 percent of marriages fail. I don't want to urinate on the party, but one must consider that before getting married," he said.

Stewart is now dating 29-year-old Penny Lancaster from Essex, England.

He's previously been linked with Swedish actress Britt Eklund, Playboy centerfold Kimberly Conrad and Florida college student Liana Verdaken.