Dogs - Full Time Work & Divorce

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OneTrickPony

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2 November 2010
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Hi everyone,

Really need some help please. My parents are splitting up (I'm 21 but still at home), and I'm desperately worried about my dog (have a cat too but think I'll be ok with her).

She is registered as being owned by Mum & Dad, but my Mum needs to keep her (in other words, I have serious concerns about her welfare if she were to be kept by Dad). Is there any way I can transfer her into my name to remove her as a marital asset??

Also, my Mum is currently a housewife who walks the dog 2 and a half hours a day but will now need to get a full time job to support hersef. How many of you work full time but have big, bouncy dogs? I've suggested getting a dog walker but how do you all feel about this?

I'm sorry - this is still incredibly raw only having happened over the last few days and I'm completely devestated - but any help you may have would be very much appreciated. I posted in NL too but hoping you will have some doggy-specific advice.

Thank you x.
 
Sorry to hear you and your parents are going through this. Can't really offer any advice re the dog, is she valuable in monetary terms, if she is not then hopefully she may not be considered an asset. If she is registered in joint names with the KC then your dad probably can't just take her but maybe could demand your mum "buys him out". Don't think it would be possible to transfer her to your name as kc forms would require your dads signature, not sure if you could perhaps be added as a third owner to give you and your mum a majority, again that may need your dads signature.
Re your mum keeping the dog, whilst it may take him time to adjust to a new routine I am sure he will. I would definitely suggest a dog walker to break up his day a bit.
Sending you hugs, its a difficult time for you all.
 
Can't offer any advice on the transfer of ownership as I'm not really familiar with the rules over there any more (other than MM had a great idea about your mum offering to buy out your dad) but I see no issue with getting a dog walker in to help your mum out. Before my dogs got older and we moved to a house where we could fence in 3/4 acre and give them free access while we were gone, we had a walker come in during the daytime and then we walked them twice a day ourselves (still do that part). They aren't big but they were (are) energetic and they were fine left all day.
 
No real advice as such but my mother continued to keep dogs and work full time when my dad left, yes, the dogs had to spend a lot of time alone all day but it didn't kill them, the bitch we had for 14 years came out with me before and after school and it was vastly preferable to shunting her off to rescue. This was before the days of pro dog walkers so I am sure the dog will cope with that.
 
As others, I can't help on legalities. I mylself am divorced and kept "custody" of my two large dogs when I split up with my husband - though they were (RIP Max & Lucy) crossbreed mutts, so no registration to worry about here, but my ex-husband did try to make them a bargaining chip (together with my daughter) because he felt it was a good way of getting back at me (which it was, on both counts, and caused me an enormous amount of stress and distress). Initially, the problem is always that everyone is so upset/angry/full of hate for the other that anything becomes a way of hitting at the other. But, hopefully, the dust settles after a little while and everyone realises that those who are stuck in the middle (children and animals) don't deserve to be pulled about and that there is always a way that is "best" for those inocent bystanders AND in most cases, both parties do have said inocent bystanders' best interests at heart and end up backing down and doing the right thing. Very good luck on a satisfactory resolution.

I also worked full time with 2 (at the time) young bouncy LabXRottie & Lurcher (GreyhoundXGSD). I got up early in the morning and took them out for 45 mns round the green on my bike, so that they'd be flat out during that time, then an hour and a half in the woods in the evening. I hooked up with one of my neighbours and his border collie to chaperonne me in the dark evenings. He was in a similar situation (at work all day with a young manic collie to keep happy) and she ended up spending the day at mine with my dogs (they played very happily together and that helped). As they got older, it no longer was an issue as they just happily slept all day :eek: with just 2 half-hour walks in between!!!

Good luck x
 
What a horrible situation for you, especially at this time of year - so stressful :(

I am a single mum who works full time and I have three dogs - it can work :) I think it helps that I have multiple dogs too as they keep each other company. I had kennels and a great big pen built in the garden and they go out there during the day time when I am out.

I walk them every morning and evening before/after work (by torchlight and it can become a real chore in this weather but I haven't let them down yet!) and they very soon settle into a new routine - your dog will be fine, it will all work out :)

I really hope everything gets sorted as soon as possible xx
 
Thank you very much for all your replies and kind words - it's good to know that it can work and that general opinion is that it wouldn't be unfair on the dog. It's so sad to hear that seperation is quite common, but I really admire those of you that have come through it - it gives me hope!

I agree GinnieRedwings - it's such an emotional thing that it's hard to get any sense out of either of them, but I hope they come round to more rational thinking soon. The dog is KC registered but today in particular has been really awful, so I think it's a case of waiting for it to calm a little and keeping fingers crossed for a good resolution - whether that be an agreement/buy out etc.

Once again, thank you all so much. I will keep you updated x
 
Dogwalkers - mine is lovely and a real godsend. She breaks up my dogs day by walking them at lunch - or if Blaze is having an off day will leave him behind and then come back a little early for the walk to play ball with him in the garden. Dogs come upto the yard in the evenings but will do go out in the winter in the dark - as they are staffies they win! Hope you situation starts to ease off it must be horrendous for you at the moment but honestly, the dust will settle. My stepfather and mother had the MOST acrimonious and awful divorce but was much better for them both when it was finally sorted.
 
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