When pet-owners break up
By Cat
I was talking with a fellow puppy-owner at the Hawai'i Kai dog park the other day.
She and her boyfriend bought a Morkie — a Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier mix — together a few months ago. Though their relationship is going well, the question came up: "Who gets the dog if we break up?"
It's a valid question.
Break-ups are hard enough emotionally. But add to that a "custody battle" for a pooch. I can't even imagine!
These custody cases do happen.
A friend of mine shares custody of the dog she shared with her now ex-husband. (He sends her e-mail updates on the pooch.)
And just last month, a Playboy Playmate is fighting her estranged husband in court over Bonnie, a Chihuahua they purchased together in February. Joshua R. Lang, who married March 2008 Playmate Ida Ljungqvist, bought Bonnie last December. He claims the dog is his and that Ljungqvist took her without permission when they separated in September.
He wants visitation rights.
"I love Bonnie and miss her tremendously," Lang said in a sworn declaration. "She is like my child and I want to have her returned to me, or in the very least I want to exercise custody of her."
Anyone run into this problem? What would you do if you shared a dog — or any pet, really — with your mate and wound up breaking up?
(I'm just glad I got Sunny when I was single. No question there!)
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The Daily Dish
December 4th, 2008 at 2:08 am
"when i was single" sounds past tense. I guess a couple would have to reach some agreement and put it in writing.break-ups can get pretty ugly(oxymoron?) sometimes.and people can get pretty viscious(sp) and if theres children involved as well it can be hard.other things to consider-maybe one person has to move into an apartment and cant have pets.,might not want to seperate a child from a pet.*sigh*.this is a tough one.just gotta hope that the adults can think clearly and do the right thing.
December 4th, 2008 at 6:16 am
I bet the SwiMp3 could be used as an anti-shark device. Paddle out with an all Brittany Spears playlist running at full volume.
December 4th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Breaking up is always difficult and is even worst when theirs children or pets involved. There's no easy answer or solution.
I need that SwiMP3 player, I swim alot and that's perfect. Cat, will you get one for me for Christmas?
December 4th, 2008 at 6:31 am
I wonder of pet owners hassle over who gets the cockroachs........
December 4th, 2008 at 6:35 am
CAT,
If spouse unit and I break up, I would ask for kids, if no, then I would ask for dogs, if no, then I no like break up. I have too much love for both so I will have to suffer in silence.
"...was single"....past tense, are you currently "engaged?", "married?", or "breaking up?" Jes nosey.....
December 4th, 2008 at 8:29 am
The relationship "time line" for me and some friends has gone like this: move in together, get a dog, get married. It's worked out for us so far! I think the key thing is NOT to get the pet until you are in a serious relationship and can truly see spending your life together. It's amazing how much you fall in love with your pet, and it'd be incredibly difficult to have to give her up, or even share custody, when the relationship falls apart.
December 4th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I just think this speaks loudly on the sad state of some human relationships.
Through rough times, bad situations, poor economy, etc. pet owners will still love their pets unconditionally. In fact, we tend to cherish our pets more and will even turn to their love a lot more during times of turmoil.
However, divorcing pet owners would now be so willing to part with the very person they once vowed to remain together with through thick and thin. But they cannot or will not part with their beloved pets.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:39 am
You have a point there rayboyjr. I think it's weird when people can divorce but cant live without the pet - although, the more you think about it: pets give you unconditional love, you can never dissappoint them and they're always forgiving....hmm...it is easier to divorce the person and not the pet...
Just a thought...
December 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am
My ex and I had a dog together, but she paid for the dog, so when we broke up, there was no dispute to who the owner was. However, I loved that dog a lot, so she was nice enough to allow visits every once in a while which is great. This wouldn't have been possible if we broke up on really bad terms though. Thank goodness we are still good friends.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:11 am
My old boss and his former girlfriend adopted a dog together. When they broke up, he let the girlfriend have primary custody (the dog was like her child) but he would come by and take the dog out for the occasional run or romp (he lived less than 2 miles away at the time).
December 4th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
We just got a puppy a couple of months ago and I guess I'm glad I don't have to worry if we got divorced cuz I'm the "primary caregiver". I do all the walking, bathing and feeding, etc. The novelty has worn off with the teenagers as well so normally it's just me and our 4-year old who take her for walks. They both have the same level of energy so I can tire both out at the same time!
December 4th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Annoddah Dave: "Was" meaning "was but still am." Does that make sense?
February 8th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Cool, I'll have to try the SwiMP3 out. I wonder if Michael Phelps uses it? Seems like the perfect endorsement deal, but then again they probably don't want him right now...