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To dump dog in one of my husbands offices he works from

207 replies

Fatfoot · 01/07/2025 21:07

I will preface this with he is a lovely dog, well trained and behaved.
but I never wanted a dog, and said it, but got overruled.

Fast forward 8 years.

Husband has left me, children have left home , and I am tied to him.

I love him, but want the freedom that the rest of family have

Haven’t been on holiday for 3 years - husband was away just for example for 79 days last year.

OP posts:
Cheeseplantandcrackers · 02/07/2025 08:30

I get it op. I love my dog to bits but no one else wants to take any responsibility. Dc grew up and left home and I’m still tied to when I can go anywhere and for how long. It’s like forever having small dc. I love him, I just want a holiday sometimes.
Like yours, my pup hates kennels.

NojitoandLime · 02/07/2025 08:27

usedtobeaylis · 02/07/2025 08:23

Why do people keep saying 'poor dog' - she doesn't want to get rid of him, she wants a break. She's not planning on doing anything to the dog, she's clearly frustrated.

OP tell him if he's not going to look after the dog while you go away then he is responsible for finding someone appropriate who will.

Because she's acting like she shouldn't have responsibility for this dog, despite the fact that it's her dog, purely because she didn't want it when they first got it.

She says she wants it now but there's clearly some resentment.

You either want a dog, or you don't - in which case rehome it.

"Oh but I didn't want it when we first got it, but I do want it now, but I don't want the responsibility" is ridiculous.

Bridport · 02/07/2025 08:25

None of this is the dogs fault.
Why can't you go on holiday with the dog? We always took our dog on holiday with us. 14 years of happy memories of her running on the beach, walking in the hills and snuggling up in the tent and cottages at night.

harriethoyle · 02/07/2025 08:25

Sign up for trusted Housesitters @Fatfoot - they come and look at ddog in your home so they are settled and happy in a familiar environment

usedtobeaylis · 02/07/2025 08:23

Why do people keep saying 'poor dog' - she doesn't want to get rid of him, she wants a break. She's not planning on doing anything to the dog, she's clearly frustrated.

OP tell him if he's not going to look after the dog while you go away then he is responsible for finding someone appropriate who will.

NojitoandLime · 02/07/2025 08:22

Viviennemary · 02/07/2025 08:16

If he wants a dog he is responsible for it. If you dont want to look after it then it should be put in kennels.

She does seem to want it though. Just resents that she didn't want it when they first got it and so thinks she shouldn't have any responsibility.... despite actually wanting the dog?

It's not making much sense, OP.

Keep it (and embrace the responsibility of owning a dog), or rehome it.

CandyLeBonBon · 02/07/2025 08:20

For holidays, I use trusted house sitter or paw shake? I feel your pain. But there are options. It’s frustrating for sure.

plantsdieinmyhouse · 02/07/2025 08:19

What you want is for your ex not to be an arsehole.

that isn’t going to happen.

VickyEadieofThigh · 02/07/2025 08:17

If your dog hasn't been trained to be happy in kennels (it really is a process over time), then you need home boarding. Dog is either looked after by people who come and live in your house (friends did this last year when they went to Oz for 3 weeks - they paid a flat fee to an orwho found and vetted sitters) or dog goes to their house.

Whyherewego · 02/07/2025 08:17

FortyElephants · 01/07/2025 21:14

Get him to agree to have the dog for a couple of days and then refuse to have the dog back.

This seems the best solution!

NojitoandLime · 02/07/2025 08:16

Fatfoot · 01/07/2025 21:44

He does not need rehoming, I love him even though I didn’t want a dog.

You either want the dog or you don't.

If you don't want the dog to be your responsibility then you need to rehome him.

If you do want him then unfortunately, working your life around a dog comes with the territory.

Make up your mind. It's irrelevant whether you wanted him before - do you want him now or not?

Viviennemary · 02/07/2025 08:16

If he wants a dog he is responsible for it. If you dont want to look after it then it should be put in kennels.

Gloriia · 02/07/2025 08:15

ByMerryTiger · 02/07/2025 07:03

Multiple people have suggested dog sitters and you’re completely ignoring them. You don’t want a solution, you want your ex to be inconvenienced. That appears to be the most important factor?

Yes using the dog to annoy the ex. It's understandable but think of the poor dog! Have a go at the ex via other means.

TheBlueUser · 02/07/2025 08:14

OP I am in a similar position.

Fought hard not to get a dog with my ex, but he just bought one home.

Of course I ended up to taking on 90% of the responsibility for the dog, exDP too lazy to walk the dog, didn't like having to pick poo off the street, didn't like when she barked at the small white dog, didn't like the smell of the dog food. Basically wanted a toy to play with at home but not to look after it.

He left, we talked about the dog. I said I love the dog, but I do not want to be tied down and I never wanted her in the first place - lots of back and forth and I still have her 90% of the time.

I still regret taking on the caretaking when he bought her home. I should have just completely left him to it and and maybe the dog would have been re-homed early on.

Saltedcarameltiramisucheesecake · 02/07/2025 08:11

I'd recommend Rover. A lovely family, local to us. Have no concerns at all leaving our dog with them for a week.
Very much better than boarding kennels, and not much more costly.

Gardengirl108 · 02/07/2025 08:01

Fatfoot · 01/07/2025 21:21

I never actually asked him that!

I’d be phrasing it as ‘when are you taking YOUR dog’, not why. But it sounds as if you still want the dog (you don’t want to rehome him), just not have him all the time?

Sharptonguedwoman · 02/07/2025 08:00

Fatfoot · 01/07/2025 21:31

He went in kennels for a week and I now has separation anxiety

Couple of things here. I don't think you do love this dog. Fair enough, you didn't want him. They are a terrific tie.
Kennels and separation anxiety- see if you can find someone who boards dogs more or less in their own home. Mine went to day care and for holidays to people who kept the dogs in their house and had a massive garden. He was always very happy. If money isn't an issue, there are people who will house sit and dog sit for you in your own home
Honestly, I would get on to the breed rescue and talk about rehoming, or the Dog's trust or similar. if anyone in your family protests, offer them the dog.

Grammarnut · 02/07/2025 07:53

But why are you tied? A dog can be left alone for a few hours (I leave mine for up to four), lots of places are dog friendly for socialising (people always talk if you have a dog), and if you wish to go away then a dog walker who will also board, is an excellent investment. DD has a very needy dog. She also has a dog walker who walks him twice a week (i.e. long walks, with playing, socialising with other dogs he knows etc) and also will board him when DD goes away on holiday. Other occasions family will have him (mutual arrangements, several of us have dogs).
Yes, a dog is a tie. But we all have ties, life is made up of ties between us and other people, places, things, animals. To be entirely fancy-free is to have nothing and no-one.
And dogs are so happy when you come home - a lovely welcome.
NB If DH left why did he not take his dog? If because he is 'so busy' then dog is better off with you, who actually love him. If you are alone, of course, he is also a deterrent to burglars etc - the best alarm in the world, one with teeth (and the burglars don't know their real danger is being licked to death!).

Morecoffeethanks · 02/07/2025 07:40

Obviously your husband should look after him but would he be happy with a dog sitter who looks after him in their own home or your home? We have a couple of different families we use for our dog and he loves his little holidays, we would never use a kennels though.

amooseymoomum · 02/07/2025 07:39

get a home sitter to look after your dog and send the bill to your ex that way you can have a holiday without worry

LandSharksAnonymous · 02/07/2025 07:38

Fatfoot · 01/07/2025 21:44

He does not need rehoming, I love him even though I didn’t want a dog.

Loving a dog isn’t enough though? If he has separation anxiety you need to work on that. Not just palm him off onto other people because he can’t be alone.

CaptainMyCaptain · 02/07/2025 07:37

EmBear91 · 01/07/2025 21:14

It’s not the dogs fault. Don’t “dump” him anywhere. If you don’t want to look after him anymore, go through the process of rehoming. There will be plenty of people who are in a position to look after a dog/want to.

This. Don't take it out on the dog.

anon15830201174585920220384848320204738229 · 02/07/2025 07:34

Find a dog sitter and send the bill to your ex husband

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 02/07/2025 07:28

Fatfoot · 01/07/2025 21:31

He went in kennels for a week and I now has separation anxiety

Arrange another form of care for him. Try doggy day care for a day a week or so to familiarise him with being away from home.

LindorDoubleChoc · 02/07/2025 07:24

What a prize arsehole your ex is!

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