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The doghouse

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Husband wants rid of my dog

192 replies

Morgan065 · 19/02/2019 05:46

Before I met my husband I adopted a dog who became my world. He's my baby and I wouldn't be without him. Four years on, I met someone with whom I fell in love with. At first he seemed to be ok with my dog. Then we got married, my dog and I moved in to his home and things seemed lovely and balanced. My husband helped walk the dog while I was at work and in return I tried to balance my giving of love and attention between them ensuring harmony in this triad relationship. Two years on, my husband became agitated and complained about the size of my dog, that he's too big for the house and his house has become a kennel. My dog being a greyhound is big yet the most gentle and we'll behaved one that sleeps most of the day. He doesn't bark and makes no demands. His paws get washed each time he is brought into the house especially on muddy days and has baths when necessary. My husband claims that he's tried it with the dog for 2 years and he can no longer carry on living with it. He's suggested getting someone else to look after him as he can no longer tolerate him in his small house. It has caused a lot of arguments that I tried to leave with my dog a couple of times. He promised to try harder but in one heated argument (about the dog, of course) he only said to try harder to stop me from going. I'm adamant in keeping my dog as in my eyes he's done nothing wrong. He accused me of choosing my dog over him yet he knew I had a dog before we met. I explained to him that my dog is not just a dog but like a child with whom I developed a deep bond with. I asked him how it would be like for me if I was forced to give my dog away. His response was "You'll be upset but you'll get over it in time". I found his response very cold and calous. So, before I make a final decision on my marriage , I ask everyone, am I missing something? Please help.

OP posts:
awesmum · 19/02/2019 16:14

I think we all put up with things in our partners that we don't 100% love about them. That is part of life and relationships. Your DH doesn't love or like your dog. He (the dog) isn't going to be around indefinitely. If I were your DH I would grin and bare it for the next couple of years for my love of my wife and how much she loves her dog and how she's accommodated my preferences with the having a dog at home. He's not, I do understand your love and reticence at getting rid of the dog. There needs to be a compromise. I don't know what it is, but either one of the current options is very unfair on the other person.

bengalcat · 19/02/2019 16:16

No contest - husband goes

Tolleshunt · 19/02/2019 16:38

Ok, your husband does not so much have OCD, as have an issue with control, but you already know that. More likely to be OCPD, than OCD, by the sounds of it, if indeed it's anything diagnosable.

In your shoes I'd be tempted to pretend to take him at face value. I'd sit him down, seriously and all concerned, and say that his OCD is obviously getting out of control, as you know that, as a decent, unselfish, person, he ordinarily wouldn't dream of asking you to rehome the dog. As he is clearly suffering from a mental illness, he should be seeking therapy ASAP for both his own benefit, and that of those he lives with. You have been reading up on how to deal with anxiety disorders (of which OCD is one), and you have discovered that the very worst thing you can do as a sufferer is to avoid the trigger for the anxiety. Therefore rehoming the dog is a complete non-starter for DH's own benefit. It would be best for him if he could learn to tolerate the discomfort of the dog hair (try to keep a straight face at this point), so you will stop the weekends away immediately, as that is just perpetuating the problem.

But then I can be a bitch once somebody threatens me and mine. Probably you should just dump him asap. Far from the marriage not meaning anything to you, he has demonstrated with absolute clarity, that it means much less to him than getting his own way does, even if it results in the distress of an innocent animal and his own wife.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 19/02/2019 16:43

Yes, he can be. If things don't go his way he gets angry and issues ultimatum

Is this really how you want to live your life and have your children live their life? With someone who in your own words (because of what he is asking you to do) must be "a very cruel, calous and selfish person"?

Morgan065 · 19/02/2019 17:16

I have suspected OCPD or a form of autism as he finds it hard to share his space and not comfortable when amongst a crowd. Because of these, I have tried my hardest to be empathetic, try to eliminate any triggers hence cleaning the house regularly, have the dog on a sleep over, etc. BUT, one minute he says that he's not a dog person, then he'd say he wouldn't mind a smaller breed. He keeps moving the goalposts and I'm getting tired at following it. It's not a healthy way to be.

OP posts:
Rtmhwales · 19/02/2019 17:20

Are the two children you have with him?
How would they feel suddenly losing their dog?

Morgan065 · 19/02/2019 17:34

"Are the two children you have with him?"
No. They are my children from previous marriage. We have no children together. My children (30 and 33 years old) think my husband is being unreasonable and cruel and without a doubt, they both want me to choose my dog if I have to.

OP posts:
Bananasarenottheonlyfruit · 19/02/2019 17:44

The more you post about him, the worse he sounds. You have already compromised beyond what is fair and reasonable. You know what you need to do. You, he, and the dog will be happier once it is done. Flowers

Oliversmumsarmy · 19/02/2019 17:47

My husband claims that he's tried it with the dog for 2 years and he can no longer carry on living with it. He's suggested getting someone else to look after him as he can no longer tolerate him in his small house

This is what struck me. Despite the house being your home he is making sure you know it is HIS house not yours.

Leave with your lovely ddog and don’t look back.

Imagine if you had children and he got sick of the toys/pram/cot and all the detritus that comes with children. Do you think he would say get rid of the baby.

PineappleTart · 19/02/2019 17:52

OP you have my first ever LTB.

He knew about the dog when you got together and when you moved in. What would he ask you to give up next?

Toddlerteaplease · 19/02/2019 18:03

Anyone who didn't respect the bond I have with my cats. Doesn't respect me. So it would be a deal breaker.

Giraffetower · 19/02/2019 18:20

Your husband is being cruel and controlling. You have ALREADY made a lot of concessions. I wouldn't ship my dog off to a friend. I love her. Not the same way I love my DC, DH etc but I love her nevertheless.

If I fell in love with someone who owned ( say, snakes) I would decide whether I could live with them....or whether to cut losses because it was a deal breaker.

What I wouldn't do, is demand that my partner got rid of their pets. Anyone who can be so callous as to demand this, isn't worthy of you TBH.

As to what I think of the emotional blackmail...neediness and utter disregard of how this might be affecting YOU....

Threatening every 5 mins to end a relationship if you don't do as your told (and apparently if you don't obey, you mustn't love him... ) is ABUSIVE.

You are making excuses for him. He is awful to you and your poor dog.

TearingUpMyHeart · 19/02/2019 18:26

You said it yourself

His demands are a bottomless pit

I would hold onto that thought when you leave him.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 19/02/2019 18:28

OP your kids think your DH is cruel and unreasonable, your friend thinks the same. I’m going to say it again, is this really what you want for the rest of your life? Do you think that little of yourself that this is what you should put up with?

FFSFFSFFS · 19/02/2019 18:30

I would leave with my dog without question.

azulmariposa · 19/02/2019 18:43

You are choosing your dog over your husband!?! Whilst I understand a dog is part of your family, it sounds as if you have an unhealthy relationship with your pet.

in return I tried to balance my giving of love and attention between them ensuring harmony in this triad relationship.
You're not in love with your dog the same way as you are with your husband, he should come before the dog, as let's face it he'll be around a lot longer. It shouldn't be a triad relationship, but you, your husband, and finally the dog.

BlueJava · 19/02/2019 18:47

Would he change his mind after kids too? Sorry, but he seems VVU to me!

Foottunnel · 19/02/2019 18:48

Given everything you’ve said, especially the latest update re how he can be controlling. No contest Op. Your husband has to go. Keep your lovely loyal dog.

Oliversmumsarmy · 19/02/2019 18:58

azulmariposa my money would be on the dog as opposed to pandering to the needs of an abusive controlling man

Notwiththeseknees · 19/02/2019 19:07

^ ^ this.

Meandmetoo · 19/02/2019 19:32

Azul that's really sad that you think a controlling emotionally abusive pig should come first. I know it happens, women accepting substandard partners, but I hope op thinks more of herself than that.

Aprilshowersarecomingsoon · 19/02/2019 19:35

Me and exh chose our ddog together. Joint decision. But once he realised how unconditional the love /bond me +ddog shared the jealousy set in.
The ddog became a huge bone of contention in our marriage. In his eyes he had competition. He began to verbally abuse ddog. Her personality changed. Exh was very controlling full stop. Ruined every birthday anyone had, except his.
The best day was when I chucked him out.
Embrace that day too op.

LollyHolly24 · 19/02/2019 19:39

How is this even a question? Quite obviously your husband is an utter prick. Leave him and take your beautiful dog with you

Crockof · 19/02/2019 19:47

I keep thinking about this thread. You keep saying you live in your dh house. It's not yours and that says volumes.

rosinavera · 19/02/2019 20:13

OP I think you are absolutely doing the right thing - if you rehome your dog you will end up hating your husband. If he loves you he would never expect you to do this.

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