I need help getting my dogs back.
I separated from someone I was engaged to and had a home with. It was quite sudden and I was basically kicked out of the house a few days before Christmas with no explanation. It really sucked but I’m dealing with that okay, thanks to my supportive family and a great therapist.
What I’m having tons of trouble with is the loss of the two dogs we had, who I was the main caretaker for. I stayed home and looked after them, walked them daily, and paid for about half of their vet bills during the time I had them. I had never had dogs but was super excited and even bought and read a book on the breed (husky). I planned to eventually sled train them too, once they stopped growing so I didn’t have to buy a new harness every month.
Now I will admit that my ex was covering most of their expenses, as he has a well paying job and no college debt and I am a recent graduate. My ex works long hours and then goes to the gym after work, resulting in him being gone for 10-12 hours. As far as I know, the dogs (husky who is 9 months old, malamute who is 7 months old) are being left alone during that time. I’m not sure if a dog door has been installed but I think there is. If not they are using pee pads. The yard they have access to is fenced, but the fence isn’t locked and is 4ft tall. They are not neutered and both male, I worry they will be able to jump the fence and look for ladies. They don’t get walked, and get minimal human interaction. I think the last time they went to the park was before winter.
And lastly, I just found out that my ex got a third puppy. He is an Akita who is also likely going to be left intact. I worry about three male intact dogs alone in the same house.
These dogs aren’t being abused by any means. But they aren’t being shown the love they deserve. They don’t understand what happened to me, I just suddenly wasn’t there for them anymore. And the fact that a third dog is in the picture makes me feel like he treats them like possessions he wants to collect.
I guess I should also mention that the first dog he owned on his own went to live with his parents because he didn’t properly socialize him and didn’t neuter him until he was 2 yrs old. The dog is aggressive and has bitten at least two of his family members.
Since we separated, I moved back in with my parents and got back all the money I put into the home we had. My parents aren’t very keen on the idea of two puppies running around our house. But I just started work at a dog daycare/vet where I could bring them for free every day I work, after they are neutered.
I just don’t know how to get them back. I want to just go to the house and scoop them up from the yard but I know that’s not right. They’re not being abused but I know that their needs aren’t being fully met. I just want my two babies back and I don’t know how to make that happen.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
Posted Mar 12, 2018, 9:23 PM UTC