Has anyone lost a pet in a breakup?

[The Poster]

My ex and I got a dog together. I picked out the breed and named her, and she lived at my exes house since I was unable to have dogs at mine. But I was pretty much there everyday anyway. I helped raise her.

 

My ex broke up with me this past summer (after a year and a half with the dog). We still talked and maintained somewhat of a friendship and I would come see the dog usually once a week. Problem was, eventually it got to be too much. It was painful and I usually left in tears. It was tough, I didn't want the breakup, I wanted to work on things but I completely understand her reason for leaving me. Eventually, after about a month and a half, I had to back off and try to heal.

 

Eventually my ex tried to reconcile. Said she couldn't be without me and never wanted to break up, blah blah blah. I was willing to work on things but didn't just want to jump back into a relationship. I tried to keep my guard up, but after a few weeks she either stopped trying or realized she didn't want me anymore. Now she is dating someone else. And yes, I do realize he was probably the reason she gave up on trying to work things out with me.

 

I've made great progress over the past 3-4 months. I still miss my ex sometimes but not nearly as much as in the the first few months. I've accepted the way things turned out and I completely understand her point of view. I'm forgiving myself for my mistakes and am forgiving her for hers. I'm making peace.

 

HOWEVER, I miss my dog. A lot. I dream about her quite a bit. It's tough because I feel like I got nothing in this and my ex got everything. It's not fair, you know? I've never really contacted her since she gave up. Only to tie up some loose ends in a financial situation we were tied together in. I've kind of hinted at one point that I miss the dog, but really what can I do? Now that's she dating someone, I can't just go to her place anytime I want. I'm sure the new guy wouldn't like me going there or talking to my ex either. And my ex hasn't reached out about the dog. She's gotten pretty cold on me.

 

Sometimes I wonder if my dog would even recognize me or remember me if I were to see her again. It's been over 5 months since I've seen her (the same day I last saw my ex). I wonder how much the new guy gets to play with her and cuddle with her or take her for walks in the park. It breaks my heart.

 

Like Robert Plant sang, hey hey, what can I do?

[jus d'orange]

My ex and I got a dog together. I picked out the breed and named her, and she lived at my exes house since I was unable to have dogs at mine. But I was pretty much there everyday anyway. I helped raise her.

 

My ex broke up with me this past summer (after a year and a half with the dog). We still talked and maintained somewhat of a friendship and I would come see the dog usually once a week. Problem was, eventually it got to be too much. It was painful and I usually left in tears. It was tough, I didn't want the breakup, I wanted to work on things but I completely understand her reason for leaving me. Eventually, after about a month and a half, I had to back off and try to heal.

 

Eventually my ex tried to reconcile. Said she couldn't be without me and never wanted to break up, blah blah blah. I was willing to work on things but didn't just want to jump back into a relationship. I tried to keep my guard up, but after a few weeks she either stopped trying or realized she didn't want me anymore. Now she is dating someone else. And yes, I do realize he was probably the reason she gave up on trying to work things out with me.

 

I've made great progress over the past 3-4 months. I still miss my ex sometimes but not nearly as much as in the the first few months. I've accepted the way things turned out and I completely understand her point of view. I'm forgiving myself for my mistakes and am forgiving her for hers. I'm making peace.

 

HOWEVER, I miss my dog. A lot. I dream about her quite a bit. It's tough because I feel like I got nothing in this and my ex got everything. It's not fair, you know? I've never really contacted her since she gave up. Only to tie up some loose ends in a financial situation we were tied together in. I've kind of hinted at one point that I miss the dog, but really what can I do? Now that's she dating someone, I can't just go to her place anytime I want. I'm sure the new guy wouldn't like me going there or talking to my ex either. And my ex hasn't reached out about the dog. She's gotten pretty cold on me.

 

Sometimes I wonder if my dog would even recognize me or remember me if I were to see her again. It's been over 5 months since I've seen her (the same day I last saw my ex). I wonder how much the new guy gets to play with her and cuddle with her or take her for walks in the park. It breaks my heart.

 

Like Robert Plant sang, hey hey, what can I do?

 

Man...

 

As a dog lover, stories like this make me sad. I know someone who's going through the same situation, but it seems like she'll be keeping the dog in the end.

 

As hard as it may be, you may have to move on from your canine friend, too.

 

If you're in a situation now where you could raise a dog, consider adoption. As much as you are attached to this dog, you have survived 5 months without seeing her. Adoption is a great choice, because there are literally thousands of dogs who could make great companions who wait in shelters at this moment. I know, because my dog is adopted. Unfortunately, many shelters are forced to euthanize those that stay for too long, because of overcrowding.

 

However, it's good to read about someone who is doing well moving on from heartbreak. Sorry again about your dog.

[The Poster]

Man...

 

As a dog lover, stories like this make me sad. I know someone who's going through the same situation, but it seems like she'll be keeping the dog in the end.

 

As hard as it may be, you may have to move on from your canine friend, too.

 

If you're in a situation now where you could raise a dog, consider adoption. As much as you are attached to this dog, you have survived 5 months without seeing her. Adoption is a great choice, because there are literally thousands of dogs who could make great companions who wait in shelters at this moment. I know, because my dog is adopted. Unfortunately, many shelters are forced to euthanize those that stay for too long, because of overcrowding.

 

However, it's good to read about someone who is doing well moving on from heartbreak. Sorry again about your dog.

 

Yeah, I've had dogs all my life, but they were all my parents' dogs mainly. Family dogs yes, but they were the ones who took care of them and made sure they were healthy. This was the first dog I could really call my own if you know what I mean.

 

It's just tough. I essentially got twice the heartache in the breakup because I lost 2 things that were once all mine.

 

Peace is all I want. With my ex and myself.

[jus d'orange]

It's just tough. I essentially got twice the heartache in the breakup because I lost 2 things that were once all mine.

 

Peace is all I want. With my ex and myself.

 

You'll find that peace. You seem like the sort of person who's well on their way there. May there be many more dogs in your life.

[John123]

My ex and I got a dog together. I picked out the breed and named her, and she lived at my exes house since I was unable to have dogs at mine. But I was pretty much there everyday anyway. I helped raise her.

 

My ex broke up with me this past summer (after a year and a half with the dog). We still talked and maintained somewhat of a friendship and I would come see the dog usually once a week. Problem was, eventually it got to be too much. It was painful and I usually left in tears. It was tough, I didn't want the breakup, I wanted to work on things but I completely understand her reason for leaving me. Eventually, after about a month and a half, I had to back off and try to heal.

 

Eventually my ex tried to reconcile. Said she couldn't be without me and never wanted to break up, blah blah blah. I was willing to work on things but didn't just want to jump back into a relationship. I tried to keep my guard up, but after a few weeks she either stopped trying or realized she didn't want me anymore. Now she is dating someone else. And yes, I do realize he was probably the reason she gave up on trying to work things out with me.

 

I've made great progress over the past 3-4 months. I still miss my ex sometimes but not nearly as much as in the the first few months. I've accepted the way things turned out and I completely understand her point of view. I'm forgiving myself for my mistakes and am forgiving her for hers. I'm making peace.

 

HOWEVER, I miss my dog. A lot. I dream about her quite a bit. It's tough because I feel like I got nothing in this and my ex got everything. It's not fair, you know? I've never really contacted her since she gave up. Only to tie up some loose ends in a financial situation we were tied together in. I've kind of hinted at one point that I miss the dog, but really what can I do? Now that's she dating someone, I can't just go to her place anytime I want. I'm sure the new guy wouldn't like me going there or talking to my ex either. And my ex hasn't reached out about the dog. She's gotten pretty cold on me.

 

Sometimes I wonder if my dog would even recognize me or remember me if I were to see her again. It's been over 5 months since I've seen her (the same day I last saw my ex). I wonder how much the new guy gets to play with her and cuddle with her or take her for walks in the park. It breaks my heart.

 

Like Robert Plant sang, hey hey, what can I do?

 

Yes, exactly in your shoes but we only had the dog for a little over two months. I bought it for her for her birthday. It's sad that you lose two things you love, but what can you do. Now that she is dating someone else, I will not contact her nor will I see the dog....it has been about 6 months now.

 

The worst part is that I spent over $1,300 on the dog. At the time I was convinced we'd be sharing it forever since we talked about marriage and she said she couldn't live without me. She said she needed time alone since she has always defined her self worth in guys. Well, looks like she is still going that route. I ust found out from a friend that he is a frat kid too, which is kind of hilarious because we shared a hatred for frat kids!

[volkl1996]

I gave up 2 dogs in my divroce. It crushed me as I loved them dearly. At the end of the day I decided it was not worth putting them thru the back and forth, sharing, and the like. It took a while though I finally adopted a cat and he is my bud now.

[The Poster]

Yes, exactly in your shoes but we only had the dog for a little over two months. I bought it for her for her birthday. It's sad that you lose two things you love, but what can you do. Now that she is dating someone else, I will not contact her nor will I see the dog....it has been about 6 months now.

 

The worst part is that I spent over $1,300 on the dog. At the time I was convinced we'd be sharing it forever since we talked about marriage and she said she couldn't live without me. She said she needed time alone since she has always defined her self worth in guys. Well, looks like she is still going that route. I ust found out from a friend that he is a frat kid too, which is kind of hilarious because we shared a hatred for frat kids!

 

Wow our stories are pretty much exactly the same word for word except the person my ex is dating now is pretty compatible with her as they are in similar work fields. Doesn't make it suck any less though.

[melenkurion]

I have to admit that if there had been any dispute about our cats, it would have made an awful situation far worse.

 

Since he was moving into a studio flat, the ex wasn't able to look after pets, so the situation didn't arise. I think it upset him, when he said goodbye to them for the last time, especially the little ginger cat he had the softest spot for.

[carhill]

Yep, exW took this one (mother on left; coyotes likely got the son prior to her leaving); I had helped the mother give birth while exW and I were dating so, after ten years, it was hard to see her (the cat) go. I had named her TC (the cat). Anyway, after awhile, my best friend's wife spotted a shelter cat and arranged for me to adopt him. Now this is pretty typical around the carhill household. Life goes on.

[ctes300]

I am the one who ended up with the dog we got in our relationship. She was my first dog and I had the means to keep her. I feel bad looking at her and wondering if she misses my ex-gf.

 

I think you should get a dog of your own. I know my dog has brought me great joy when things were looking pretty dark and lonely.

[The Aviator]

My ex has still got my hamster! Should of taken her to court for custody really

[GKM]

Sorry to hear that

 

I just lost a pet in my divorce- my first 'baby' a Boston Terrier. We got him as a puppy together, took a long road trip to get him too which involved my car breaking down...anyway, we also got adopted a cheap lil cute terrier mix and she is the one I kept- she is way more affectionate and cuddly etc. I had to choose, so I chose her. I still miss my first 'baby' though. And she does too,she cries more in her crate (she was always silent), and I let her sleep with me now (they used to sleep together, shes is lonely!) She has been SO good to have around though- she cuddles me when Im sad and keeps my bed toasty

 

I do still miss my Tux though...have a picture of him on my desk at work and I havent removed it yet, dont want to..

[Headintheclouds]

I can totally relate to you right now. I'm going through a lot of the same.

 

I've had my cat for almost 12 years. I ended up with him from a 5 year relationship with my first GF. She couldn't take him at the time, and I've had him since.

 

My ex and I broke up a month ago but are stuck living together until the end of this month. I just found an apartment but the people I'm moving in with are allergic to cats.

 

My ex offered to take him, and I know shed take good care of him. I just don't want to have to deal with her after we finally move out. My mom who lives 6 hrs away said she would take him. I am thinking about bringing him to her. I could always take him back if things change on my end.

 

I'm so attached to him. Its killing me thinking that after all is said and done, I've lost my girl, my apartment, and my cat all at once. I'm not 100% sure what I will do, but I have to let the people know about the apartment today. By the end of today I will have made up my mind. Its kiling me right now.