Owner Prioritizing Dog of 7 Years Over New Girlfriend Sparks Debate

A man has sparked debate among viewers online after sharing that his new girlfriend has clashed with his longtime pet.

The man, who goes by u/district-season1765 on Reddit, took to the platform on October 31 to detail his girlfriend’s discomfort with his 7-year-old dog living with him and sleeping in their bed, something that has led to frequent clashes.

The now-deleted post, which has garnered over 26,000 upvotes, walks viewers online through the emotional bond between the man and his dog, and the ensuing conflict between the canine and his girlfriend who recently moved in.

The man had welcomed the dog into his home when he was just 12 weeks old. The dog, described as a source of healing and support, has been integral to the owner’s well-being, helping him navigate periods of depression and anger.

“He’s like my son, brother, and best friend,” the man wrote. “He’s made me suck it up when depressed and been my support.”

The pair’s companionship is now at odds with his burgeoning relationship. The man’s new girlfriend’s irritation with the dog, particularly with it sleeping in their bed, has led to even physical confrontations. Newsweek reached out to u/district-season1765 for more information via Reddit.

“The girlfriend’s boundary is clear,” Rachel Astarte, a holistic psychotherapist, told Newsweek. “Aggressive behavior toward the dog, physically or verbally, is not acceptable.

“They will need to establish this declaration as nonnegotiable,” Astarte said.

A recent incident where the girlfriend pushed the dog on its chest with both hands added more fuel to the fire. Despite the owner’s efforts to address her concerns—such as washing sheets and blankets regularly to mitigate issues with dog hair—her aggression toward his dog remains a significant issue.

“I don’t like her being aggressive to my dog and find it a turn off,” the man said. “She thinks my dog is jealous and doesn’t like her.

“I think she’s being dramatic and I absolutely will get rid of her before him,” the man added.

Users on Reddit quickly responded to the dilemma, with thousands weighing in. Many sided with the owner, arguing that his girlfriend’s animosity toward the dog is a bad sign.

“I don’t think you two are compatible then,” one viewer said. Their comment has been liked over 25,000 times.

Another added: “Agreed. She’s showing you who she is and what her expectations are now. These are not going to change down the line. I had a [boyfriend] who was the same with my cat. I thought he would warm up to her, maybe love her even. But nope, it ended up being the same fight for years and finally came down to an ultimatum of him or the cat. Anyways, now I’m married to a man and we have several cats that sleep in our bed with us.”

Astarte, who is based in New York, says that it might be helpful for the man to candidly share his feelings about what the dog means to him.

“They might even share that they are better able to be good partner because of the troubled times the dog helped them through,” the holistic psychotherapist said. “I would suggest offering a way for the girlfriend to connect with the dog on her own terms.

“The decision regarding sleeping arrangements is up to the person, as it may be difficult for a partner to develop true intimacy if the bed is shared every night,” Astarte said.

She added that, if the man’s girlfriend cannot accept the boundary or the compromises, it may be time for him to move on.

Dr. Kiran Dintyala, an internal medicine physician, practicing in San Diego, California, told Newsweek that the man should not “take drastic decisions.”

“Time can bring great clarity to our life situations,” Dintyala said. “I would definitely not lose the dog who has been there for years.

“If the man made a careful and well-thought-out decision for the woman to be his girlfriend, then I am sure she has qualities he cherishes, but that doesn’t mean she may not have her own flaws.”

Have you noticed any red flags that made you end a relationship? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.