Woman Gets A Dog Against Her Boyfriend's Wishes To Help Her Child Deal With Anxiety
Adopting a dog is a pretty big deal, and before bringing one home, it's important to consider your lifestyle and the people you live with. While dogs can help with anxiety and stress, you should ensure you provide them with a stress-free and happy environment.
One Reddit user, njcawfee, took to the "AITA" subreddit to share an issue she's having with her boyfriend. According to the post, njcawfee has been in a relationship with her boyfriend for over four years and wants him to move in with her.
However, her boyfriend has a 9-year-old dog, and he did not want njcawfee to get a new dog until his own dog was a bit older. Njcawfee believes having a dog would help her child, who has anxiety, so she decided to get a new dog despite her boyfriend's objections.
Now, njcawfee's boyfriend is upset and feels he can't trust her anymore. Njcawfee prioritizes her child's needs above all else but is unsure if she made the right decision, so she is seeking guidance from the AITA community on whether or not she was in the wrong for getting a new dog against her boyfriend's wishes.
Here's how the community responded to her post.
Here's OP's post

1. Getting a dog should be a group decision because they intend to live together.

2. The action implies she can't make decisions with her boyfriend.

3. It isn't a child versus boyfriend situation.

4. Such decisions should be made as a couple.

5. She should have talked to her boyfriend before going ahead with the decision.

6. She lacks basic communication skills.

7. Her boyfriend probably wanted his dog to pass before moving in.

8. Getting a dog is a huge responsibility and requires a partner's consent.

9. It makes no sense to get a pet without consent from others you share a home with.

10. Getting a new dog ruins the chances of her boyfriend moving in.

11. Her child doesn't come first in this context.

12. If both dogs don't get along, her boyfriend might need to move out.

13. Her boyfriend shouldn't decide what happens in her home.

14. There's something her boyfriend isn't telling her.

15. She must choose between having a boyfriend and having a dog.

16. Her boyfriend doesn't have a say in her home unless he's living there.

17. Their relationship is suffering from communication issues.

18. Trust isn't built by doing all your partner's bidding.

19. Their decisions can unfairly affect the new dog's life.

20. Her home, her decision.

What do you think?
Adopting a dog is a serious decision that requires careful consideration. Caring for a dog demands substantial time, energy, and financial resources.
When considering getting a dog, it's crucial to reflect on how the decision will affect your life and the lives of those who share your living space. Seeking consent from your partner, roommate, or family members is crucial since they'll share the responsibility of caring for the dog.
Neglecting to do so can lead to bitterness, annoyance, and even possible relationship issues. Moreover, if the other person doesn't agree to care for the dog, keeping it may not be feasible.