Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel jealous of the dog

241 replies

TwinklyAmberSloth · 20/09/2026 12:38

DH and I have 3 kids.

We get on fine. No arguments.

But he hardly speaks to me and everything I love/do seems to irritate him. He is just so grumpy.

This morning he was clearly annoyed at me for opening the curtains at 7.30am. I'm an early riser. I go to bed 10pm and read, then try and sleep. I love mornings. DH goes to bed 11.30pm to midnight.

When he then got up 20 mins later, he didn't speak to me at all. He went straight down stairs and was playing with the dog.

He then has a shower, still doesn't speak to me, takes the dog for a walk, then takes DS to footy after shouting at DS (15) to get up. He let DS stay up til midnight then wondered why he wouldn't get up, so I was left to do the wake the teenager bit while DH walked the dog.

On a work day, he comes home then goes straight to the dog. He never asks how my day was. He will then come into the lounge 20 mins later after getting changed and tell me about his work.

I'm a little untidy. He picks up anything of mine and throws it in my office and moans. Ditto for kids stuff. Yet doesn't mind the dog hair everywhere and rolls his eyes if I comment on it.

Every evening he sits with dog on the sofa in his man cave, watching TV whilst on his phone. I sit on my own, or play the piano, or read. He then appears in the lounge about 10.15pm as I am about to go to bed. He hates books, he dislikes music and noise.

I work around 40 hours per week term time, and some work in school holidays. He works 37 hours a week and has flexi time and can WFH half the week. I do all the meal planning, cooking, organising kids stuff (except footy), cleaning, kids evening activities, school stuff.

I'm a lively cheerful person who likes people and has lots of hobbies yet I feel so lonely and dull. He genuinely seems to have no interest in me. Not physically and not mentally. Surely this is not normal for married life? Why doesn't he just divorce me and marry the dog?

I'm not a dog person. But when the last dog died 13 years ago DH was the most miserable git ever, so I had to agree to another dog as it was unbearable. I put rules in place e.g. sleep in utility room, not on furniture unless invited, not upstairs etc... but every single boundary I requested has been ignored.

Even when I do try and have a conversation, he seems to argue the opposite just for the sake of it. A motorbike did a wheelie down our road the other week and I said "what a nob head" and DH muttered "oh FFS just shut up". He likes motorbikes. He spends all weekend in the mancave watching bike racing.

If I'm not being unreasonable, would counselling fix this?

YABU: this is normal. men prefer dogs to people.

YANBU: this is not normal. couples talk and take interest in each others life.

OP posts:
Redragtoabull · 21/09/2026 18:39

Leave him and protect your child from seeing what a relationship should not look like. The both of you are doing that poor child no favours whatsoever. Your husband sounds like he's at the end of his tether over your mess, noise, thoughtlessness (regarding the curtain opening) and you're annoyed at his lack of anything to do with you. This is embedded resentment on both sides so time for one of you to be the adult and start talking divorce.

Flamboyantfred · 21/09/2026 18:38

TwinklyAmberSloth · 21/09/2026 17:39

We dont hate each other. We just have nothing at all in common.

There are no arguments in the household. I guess the kids just see their dad just doing his thing and me doing stuff with them.

I am speechless that you can say this with a straight face.

You children will be acutely aware that their parents despise one another and the tension must be too thick too cut with a knife

Cardisncocktails · 21/09/2026 18:35

TwinklyAmberSloth · 20/09/2026 12:38

DH and I have 3 kids.

We get on fine. No arguments.

But he hardly speaks to me and everything I love/do seems to irritate him. He is just so grumpy.

This morning he was clearly annoyed at me for opening the curtains at 7.30am. I'm an early riser. I go to bed 10pm and read, then try and sleep. I love mornings. DH goes to bed 11.30pm to midnight.

When he then got up 20 mins later, he didn't speak to me at all. He went straight down stairs and was playing with the dog.

He then has a shower, still doesn't speak to me, takes the dog for a walk, then takes DS to footy after shouting at DS (15) to get up. He let DS stay up til midnight then wondered why he wouldn't get up, so I was left to do the wake the teenager bit while DH walked the dog.

On a work day, he comes home then goes straight to the dog. He never asks how my day was. He will then come into the lounge 20 mins later after getting changed and tell me about his work.

I'm a little untidy. He picks up anything of mine and throws it in my office and moans. Ditto for kids stuff. Yet doesn't mind the dog hair everywhere and rolls his eyes if I comment on it.

Every evening he sits with dog on the sofa in his man cave, watching TV whilst on his phone. I sit on my own, or play the piano, or read. He then appears in the lounge about 10.15pm as I am about to go to bed. He hates books, he dislikes music and noise.

I work around 40 hours per week term time, and some work in school holidays. He works 37 hours a week and has flexi time and can WFH half the week. I do all the meal planning, cooking, organising kids stuff (except footy), cleaning, kids evening activities, school stuff.

I'm a lively cheerful person who likes people and has lots of hobbies yet I feel so lonely and dull. He genuinely seems to have no interest in me. Not physically and not mentally. Surely this is not normal for married life? Why doesn't he just divorce me and marry the dog?

I'm not a dog person. But when the last dog died 13 years ago DH was the most miserable git ever, so I had to agree to another dog as it was unbearable. I put rules in place e.g. sleep in utility room, not on furniture unless invited, not upstairs etc... but every single boundary I requested has been ignored.

Even when I do try and have a conversation, he seems to argue the opposite just for the sake of it. A motorbike did a wheelie down our road the other week and I said "what a nob head" and DH muttered "oh FFS just shut up". He likes motorbikes. He spends all weekend in the mancave watching bike racing.

If I'm not being unreasonable, would counselling fix this?

YABU: this is normal. men prefer dogs to people.

YANBU: this is not normal. couples talk and take interest in each others life.

Dont blame the dog.
The entire problem lies with you and your DH.
You have nothing in common and he doesn't want to be around you. Divorce or separation are the only solutions if what you have described is true.
I think you'd both be happier apart.
PS I'd be totally pissed off if my partner decided to throw open the curtains while I was sleeping.. WHATEVER the time of day. And your dismissal of your DH's grief when his previous dog died suggests you are not exactly empathetic either.

Smokeywater · 21/09/2026 18:33

I would see a solicitor to find out what would happen when you divorce. When you know what will happen and have a plan, who lives where, can you afford a house, you can present it to him. He might promise a complete change and it's worth you trying to stay together but otherwise you need to split up.

I think you said one chid was ND so probably so is DH, possibly autistic.

The other option is just to stay together but live separate lives but you get a regular cleaner, buy in easy to cook meals, start some new hobbies, get out and about and make new friends. Whilst he sits in his man cave - oh, and get separate beds if not separate bed rooms.

tinyspiny · 21/09/2026 18:28

TwinklyAmberSloth · 21/09/2026 17:39

We dont hate each other. We just have nothing at all in common.

There are no arguments in the household. I guess the kids just see their dad just doing his thing and me doing stuff with them.

How can you say there are no arguments when upthread you said
I was just trying to avoid him shouting and swearing at DS for not getting up on time
that is not a harmonious household .

Bigtrapeze · 21/09/2026 18:02

OP, this is not a typical experience of marriage in my experience but that isn't as important as the question of whether you want your home life to be like this. You should have a life that brings you joy, and I'm not sensing much of that in your post.

You say you never argue but if I have read this correctly, didn't he tell you to shut up in no uncertain terms over an observation you made about motorcycles in the street? That would be the start of a huge row if my husband spoke to me like that. He absolutely wouldn't. I wonder if you have been existing like this for so long you have become a bit numb to the atmosphere. I think that could happen when you've had children or dogs to focus on. It sounds like you have focussed on the kids and him on the dog.

I am really sorry you are in this situation. Do you think he will agree to relationship counselling? I'm not sure he's going to give it his best shot, from what you've written.

I can imagine a lovely future for you where you play your piano without headphones amidst the musical clutter he is objecting to in a home free of dog hair, go to bed when you want and get up early, and he watches motor racing with the beloved dog but two separate houses seem key to this. You sound fundamentally incompatible and not very keen on each other. So sorry, OP. You both sound unhappy and it seems a shame to me. Hope you find a way forward.

TwinklyAmberSloth · 21/09/2026 17:39

Butsometimesnot · 21/09/2026 07:15

It doesn’t matter what we say.

This is a poisonous marriage comprising two people who hate each other. They won’t separate. They won’t divorce. What will happen is that at the first opportunity their children will move out. And they won’t return for Christmas etc because they know that by then - their parents alone in the house together all day every day - the atmosphere will be so dark and poisonous as to be almost murderous

We dont hate each other. We just have nothing at all in common.

There are no arguments in the household. I guess the kids just see their dad just doing his thing and me doing stuff with them.

OP posts:
TwinklyAmberSloth · 21/09/2026 17:37

Soulhorse · 21/09/2026 08:57

Sorry OP, I think he’s completely checked out of family life. You need to start protecting your future. What’s the financial setup? Do you have a good idea of his finances as it sounds like he would get very nasty very quickly.

I don't think he would be difficult. We have lots of equity in the house but 4 bed houses here are expensive, and as he earns 50% more than me he could get a bigger mortgage.

I think I'm going to suggest counselling as a starter but I feel that will confirm that he just isn't that bothered, and the prospect of spending my life with someone who isn't interested in me is quite depressing.

OP posts:
Suchevilforebodings · 21/09/2026 15:39

TwinklyAmberSloth · 20/09/2026 13:26

@Imaginingdragonsagain @Suchevilforebodings @Freya1542

The curtain thing... he had told DS they were leaving at 8.15am for footy, so 7.30am gives him 45 mins to shower, walk dog and wake teenager, which wasn't actually enough time. I did the teenager waking and the were still 20 mins late.

I only open curtains if people have to get up anyway and it's a reasonable time e.g. 45 mins before having to leave.

But didn't he need to get dressed in that room? Surely curtains aren't opened until you are up, have showered and are dressed?

And regardless, he's an adult, he gets to decide when he gets up and how much time he needs, not you. You're not his mother.

Don't me wrong, he's still an asshole. You were just wrong to open the curtains

PoisedgirlCrab · 21/09/2026 09:09

I think you both as a couple are not compatible in anyway and it's time to tell him this I wouldn't be impressed whatsoever if someone opened the curtains at that time to be honest I'd be pretty annoyed regardless of having to get up he's a grown man ffs

Soulhorse · 21/09/2026 08:57

Sorry OP, I think he’s completely checked out of family life. You need to start protecting your future. What’s the financial setup? Do you have a good idea of his finances as it sounds like he would get very nasty very quickly.

BugJuice · 21/09/2026 07:58

Butsometimesnot · 20/09/2026 21:26

You two sound like bitter enemies not a married couple with three children.

Your kids are trapped in what sounds like a poisonous atmosphere. All the time

Yes, the home environment must be horrific for them.

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 21/09/2026 07:39

Pinkissmart · 21/09/2026 07:03

You are micro- managing his wake up time. That is so irritating. Don’t you see that? Numerous people have pointed it out.

Micro-managing his wake up time… or trying to get the lazy, self-centred husband out of bed to pick up the slack on his side re the family’s activities?
Sounds like the latter to me.

Butsometimesnot · 21/09/2026 07:15

It doesn’t matter what we say.

This is a poisonous marriage comprising two people who hate each other. They won’t separate. They won’t divorce. What will happen is that at the first opportunity their children will move out. And they won’t return for Christmas etc because they know that by then - their parents alone in the house together all day every day - the atmosphere will be so dark and poisonous as to be almost murderous

Pinkissmart · 21/09/2026 07:03

TwinklyAmberSloth · 20/09/2026 13:26

@Imaginingdragonsagain @Suchevilforebodings @Freya1542

The curtain thing... he had told DS they were leaving at 8.15am for footy, so 7.30am gives him 45 mins to shower, walk dog and wake teenager, which wasn't actually enough time. I did the teenager waking and the were still 20 mins late.

I only open curtains if people have to get up anyway and it's a reasonable time e.g. 45 mins before having to leave.

You are micro- managing his wake up time. That is so irritating. Don’t you see that? Numerous people have pointed it out.

hattie43 · 21/09/2026 06:50

I don’t think his behaviour is a preference for the dog rather the dog is a distraction from engaging with you . It sounds like you live as lodgers rather than life partners . Councilling is only useful if you both want it.

Mere1 · 21/09/2026 06:41

BugJuice · 20/09/2026 13:17

I got stuck on you opening the curtains while he was still in bed/asleep… why would you do that?!

This was answered.

Snoken · 21/09/2026 05:59

TwinklyAmberSloth · 20/09/2026 21:21

I didn't actually speak about grief. DH was sad for a couple of days, the dog was cremated, we scattered his ashes somewhere nice, then DH was fine. There was no grief over the dog.

He was a miserable git because the dog was his hobby and his hobby stopped.

No dog walks, no dog to play with, no dog to roughhouse with, no dog to watch films with etc...

His reaction of grumpy git would have been the same if his motorbike had been taken away.

I'm not a cold person at all.

I would say that is grief. Just a different stage than the first, more acute one. You are trying to minimise the pain by reducing the dog to a hobby. Spending lots of time with his dog doesn’t make it a hobby.. it was a beloved pet more likely.

Butsometimesnot · 20/09/2026 21:57

Are you ND @TwinklyAmberSloth ?

TwinklyAmberSloth · 20/09/2026 21:54

OutOfTheOtherSide · 20/09/2026 21:27

You really can't see this is cold?

It's factual. I am posting facts.

It's difficult to post emotion in a forum as it doesnt come across clearly. I prefer to stick to facts.

It may appear cold but I'm not a cold person at all. I am just factual.

OP posts:
CheeseMakesMeFart · 20/09/2026 21:48

Honestly what is this point of this bullshit?

One precious life. It's whooshing past.

OutOfTheOtherSide · 20/09/2026 21:27

TwinklyAmberSloth · 20/09/2026 21:21

I didn't actually speak about grief. DH was sad for a couple of days, the dog was cremated, we scattered his ashes somewhere nice, then DH was fine. There was no grief over the dog.

He was a miserable git because the dog was his hobby and his hobby stopped.

No dog walks, no dog to play with, no dog to roughhouse with, no dog to watch films with etc...

His reaction of grumpy git would have been the same if his motorbike had been taken away.

I'm not a cold person at all.

You really can't see this is cold?

Butsometimesnot · 20/09/2026 21:26

TwinklyAmberSloth · 20/09/2026 21:21

I didn't actually speak about grief. DH was sad for a couple of days, the dog was cremated, we scattered his ashes somewhere nice, then DH was fine. There was no grief over the dog.

He was a miserable git because the dog was his hobby and his hobby stopped.

No dog walks, no dog to play with, no dog to roughhouse with, no dog to watch films with etc...

His reaction of grumpy git would have been the same if his motorbike had been taken away.

I'm not a cold person at all.

You two sound like bitter enemies not a married couple with three children.

Your kids are trapped in what sounds like a poisonous atmosphere. All the time

TwinklyAmberSloth · 20/09/2026 21:21

OutOfTheOtherSide · 20/09/2026 18:10

You talk about him being 'cold' yet the way you spoke about his grief was freezing. Have a look at yourself before criticising him. Even the curtain opening suggests a complete lack of basic human thoughtfulness. Just leave him for both of your sakes.

I didn't actually speak about grief. DH was sad for a couple of days, the dog was cremated, we scattered his ashes somewhere nice, then DH was fine. There was no grief over the dog.

He was a miserable git because the dog was his hobby and his hobby stopped.

No dog walks, no dog to play with, no dog to roughhouse with, no dog to watch films with etc...

His reaction of grumpy git would have been the same if his motorbike had been taken away.

I'm not a cold person at all.

OP posts:
Clearinguptheclutter · 20/09/2026 21:06

This isn’t about the dog

I’d have been annoyed about the curtains
i got up early but left them closed for dh to have a lie in

im not sure this relationship is healthy generally tho

Swipe left for the next trending thread