He took the dog and won't let me see him

[LegalGirl2009]

Hi all,

 

I wrote a few months ago about breaking up with my boyfriend and you all were so encouraging and helpful.

 

Well it took me some time, but I ended the relationship. We ended on good terms and were being nice to each other...until a few days ago he stopped responding to my texts (about our dog we got together). We agreed that I could take our dog every now and then. After texting him a few times he finally responds saying that I can't see him or take him. My dog is like my child. Giving him up at all is extremely hard for me and now I can't even see him. I don't know what to do.

[gebaird]

Damn, I'm so sorry. He shouldn't be using the dog as a pawn!

[Seraphim]

Do you think he's doing it so the dog won't be confused ?

[Edmund Exley]

I've been through this. Me and an ex shared doggie custody, but eventually she met someone, I met someone, and it became awkward. I know you love your pet, but this is what breakups do. Grieve the loss of the dog as well. Sorry.

[DancingFool]

Animals also go through separation grief, anxiety, etc. Why keep putting the dog through that?

This might be one of those where it really is best for all around to actually separate for good and move on. If you love him then let him go kind of a thing. If he was your baby, perhaps you should have been the one to keep him?

[Wiseman2]

Sorry to hear about that. It sounds like he may moved on and met someone so doesn't want to stay in contact or hang out even with regard to the dog.

After texting him a few times he finally responds saying that I can't see him or take him.

[LegalGirl2009]

In regards to my texts to him, they were only about our dog and a simple response from him would have been decent.

[LegalGirl2009]

I've been through this. Me and an ex shared doggie custody, but eventually she met someone, I met someone, and it became awkward. I know you love your pet, but this is what breakups do. Grieve the loss of the dog as well. Sorry.

 

it's only been a few days since we broke up. i know we will both move on eventually. thats why i broke up with him. but using our dog as a way to hurt me seems pretty cruel.

[j.man]

Sorry, but it's a dog, not a kid. As DF mentioned, it'll only cycle through separation anxiety every time you visit and leave for prolonged periods. It's too stupid to learn otherwise. I say it as someone who loves dogs, and what's best for it is that it learn to adjust to its new life.

[LegalGirl2009]

Sorry, but it's a dog, not a kid. As DF mentioned, it'll only cycle through separation anxiety every time you visit and leave for prolonged periods. It's too stupid to learn otherwise. I say it as someone who loves dogs, and what's best for it is that it learn to adjust to its new life.

 

Sorry, but it's how I feel. I am allowed to be sad over losing my dog, who to me, whether you feel differently, is like my child. I know someday I won't see him again but that day doesn't have to be today.

[j.man]

Sorry, but it's how I feel. I am allowed to be sad over losing my dog, who to me, whether you feel differently, is like my child. I know someday I won't see him again but that day doesn't have to be today.

I didn't say you're not allowed to be sad. There's no doubting it sucks. What I'm saying is I would hope your love for the dog would supersede your desire to put it through immense stress and anxiety.

[LegalGirl2009]

I didn't say you're not allowed to be sad. There's no doubting it sucks. What I'm saying is I would hope your love for the dog would supersede your desire to put it through immense stress and anxiety.

 

Of course, like I said I know I will have to let go. And like I said in an earlier post, it's only been a few days. I didn't even get to say goodbye.