How can my partner keep forgetting to feed our dog?

[Debbierocket123]

A year ago my partner and I decided to get a puppy. We agreed beforehand that I would take care of the insurance, vet bills, walks, baths etc. and my partner takes care of food and meals. However, every time the dog food runs out, my partner will keep putting off going to the butchers, leaves it too late and asks me to go instead. It's driving me mad - it's the only thing he has to do. I've tried talking to him and it's even got to the point where I threatened to give our dog away but he still does it! What can I do? He's usually more responsible than this...:'(

EDIT: We feed our dog raw and feel strongly about this so we won't be buying any tinned dog food from the supermarket.

Massive eye roll @ your partner.

Dogs are a HUGE amount of work and it sounds like you're doing far more than your fair share. The least he can do is get his act together and go to the damn butchers!

Does he use a smartphone? Can you make him set a weekly reminder to go and pick the food up? Presumably it's pre-ordered?

If it were me, the next time this happened and he asked me to go I'd say no, that's his job and if he can't go then he'll need to produce a meal for the dog from whatever is in your cupboards until he can get to the butchers.

He has PAID for the food for the year at the butchers and he said he's done his fair share and I should get MY bum to go get it....I am trying to explain that a dog requires effort (eg. training, walks, playtime, affection, feeding, fresh water, new toys...the list goes on) not just money.

He does have a smartphone and no obvious issues with memory so I'm leaving it to him to remember. He's 35 years old FFS.

Grrrr.

I wish I had some magical advice for you. It makes me so frustrated how many people take on dogs without really accepting just how much hard work and commitment they are. It's like having a child!

How has he done his fair share if you do all of the insurance, vets trips, walking, bathing, feeding, watering, training, playing AND now collecting the food as well?!

Does he love the dog enough for you to use it as leverage? Or does he know that you love it enough that you wouldn't follow through on a threat to have it re-homed?

Why is this in parenting exactly?

He knows I am IN LOVE with this dog and would never give him up. The irony is incredible because he always goes on about being a dog lover but doesn't lift a finger to look after ours? I feel stuck :(

I feel you. I'm lucky that my partner does at least 50% of doggy duties, but frankly even if he turned around tomorrow and said he was quitting, I'd never get rid of the pup. He had me by the heartstrings from the moment I scooped him up to bring him home!

Can you chore-swap? If he really doesn't want to do ANYTHING to help with the dog, can you trade the food pick-up for....I dunno....a weekly laundry load?!

Failing that...maybe it's the partner you should get rid of

Cost out an hourly wage for the walks, the cleaning, the vets trips, the whole lot. Include the time driving to and from the butcher, and the prep of that food as well.
Then put his "paid for the butcher" payment on the other side.

I bet if you could pay his butcher bill to someone who would then do everything you're currently doing, you'd jump at the chance.