Alex refuses to return his Dachshund, Frank, to ex-girlfriend, Chloe, after she abandoned the dog for over a year, leaving him to pay and care for him, claiming she now wants her emotional support animal back: 'She got hysterical, calling me a thief'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Sep 11, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

What makes a dog his vs hers? Is it the person who physically adopted the furry friend, or is it a matter of who's actually there to look after them, feed them, cuddle them, and pay their expensive vet bills…I'd also go broke for a Dachshund, don't worry. Because, is a dog really yours, if you're never around to care for it, but instead throw the responsibility onto everyone else?

After what seems like a messy breakup, this ex-girlfriend abandoned her furry friend, Frank. Leaving this perfect Dachshund with her ex-boyfriend, Alex, without any explanation, responses, or compensation to help look after him…and so a year goes by, and as anyone would, Alex has begun to love Frank like his own. At this point, we think it's pretty fair to consider him his dog. But when his ex, Chloe, comes storming to his house A WHOLE YEAR LATER demanding he give Frank back to her, he refuses. She cannot just give up any responsibilities of having a living animal and then change her mind a year later! That's not how life works, Chloe, and you can threaten legal charges as much as you want, but FRANKLY we all know where Frank's heart lies…and it's with the man who rubbed his long tummy every day for the last year, while you were running off with god knows who…

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  • She can call him all the names in the world. But despite how many times she calls her ex a thief, we all know who's really dabbled in betrayal here…and her name rhymes with Shmoe..So when she comes for him like a bull seeing red, he can send her the bills from looking after “her” dog for the last year and see just how quickly she retracts from claiming him as her “emotional support animal…”

  • 01
    Man holding his Dachshund
    via @monkeybusinessimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    AITA for refusing to give my ex-girlfriend's dog back after she abandoned it with me for a year?

    I (29M) broke up with my ex, Chloe (28F), about 14 months ago. It was messy.. When she moved out, she asked if I could watch her dog, a senior dachshund-Frank, for "a couple weeks" while she found a pet friendly place.
    via ReferenceNext644
  • 03
    I agreed because I loved that dog. Weeks turned into months. For the first few months, she'd text to ask about him, but she never came to visit or sent money for food or vet bills.
    via ReferenceNext644
  • 04
    The texts slowly stopped. After 6 months, I texted her and said "Hey, are you getting Frank soon? His food and care are expensive." She did replied after a day "I'm still looking, thanks so much for doing this".
    via ReferenceNext644
  • 05
    At the 10-month mark, Frank had a big vet bill. I spent over $300ish on for him and i lost my job atm. I didn't even bother texting her, she hadn't reached out in 4 months.
    via ReferenceNext644
  • 06
    I paid for it, and I officially considered him my dog. Last week, out of the blue, Chloe shows up at my door. She's got a new job, a new apartment, and a new boyfriend.
    via ReferenceNext644
  • 07
    She said, "I'm here for Frank! Thanks for watching him!" I I told her no. I said she abandoned him, I've been his sole caretaker for over a year, and I paid for his bills and food.
    via ReferenceNext644
  • 08
    She got hysterical, calling me a thief. She said he was her emotional support animal during our relationship and she needs him back. She offered to pay me back for the surgery "in installments."
    via ReferenceNext644
  • 09
    I told her to get lost and shut the door. Now, she's blowing up my phone, and her new boyfriend is sending me threatening messages. My friends are split.
    via ReferenceNext644
  • 10
    Woman sneezing next to her dog
    via pixelshot

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 11
    Some say I saved the dog and he's mine. Others say I'm being a bitter ex and stealing her property out of spite, and that I should have given her a chance to pay me back.
    via ReferenceNext644
  • 12
    tidymaze NTA You have recent vet bills in your name, so legally the dog is yours. If he has a microchip, get it registered in your name asap. If Frank really was her "emotional support dog", she never would have left him with you.
    via tidymaze
  • 13
    EmceeSuzy You are NTA. I actually did something similar with a relative who abandoned a dog with us and then asked to have her back a year and a half later. That is your dog now. Do not take her calls.
    via EmceeSuzy
  • 14
    Bubbly Chicken_9358 She has not even checked in on the dog in how long? Not so much as a text or a surprise shipment of treats from Amazon? She abandoned him. He's your dog now. NTA.
    via Bubbly_Chicken_9358
  • 15
    BlaqueDaliah NTA She isn't going to the police or filing a report because she knows she has no leg to stand on on. You could also go to the police. yourself for the threatening messages.
    via BlaqueDaliah
  • 16
    Classic-Honey9549 Judge Judy would tell her to yours now off... He's
    via Classic-Honey9549
  • 17
    kimba-the-tabby-lion NTA. 1. He's your dog now, she's a stranger 2. She only wants him when it's convenient to her; I wonder how long before she abandons him again? Maybe talk to a lawyer, to make sure you have the legal right to keep him.
    via kimba-tabby-lion
  • 18
    Couple arguing on the couch
    via studioroman

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 19
    SeekersChoice Nta - just for some context for you a cheap boarding facility is $30 a night for 14 months that would be $12,750. Plus vet costs. So if you really want a petty you can send her a bill with the invoice. But 100% that dog is yours.
    via SeekersChoic
  • 20
    BGS2204 Anyone who leaves their dog with someone for a year, with no visits, no taking for walks, petting or loving or vet care has abandoned their pet. Do not give this dog back to her, she is not a worthy pet owner. Seek legal remedies.
    via BGS2204
  • 21
    CarbonSoul Ghost the ex, love the dog, NTA.
    via CarbonSoul
  • 22
    Fun-Sun-8192 "her new boyfriend is sending me threatening messages." NTA file charges against him.
    via Fun-Sun-8192
  • 23
    Spacer_Spiff NTA. Your dog now. You paid the bills and provided the care while she walked away for over a yr.
    via Spacer_Spiff

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dogs redditstory care taker owner one-year-later abandoned legal dog owner askreddit relationships threatens couples exes my dog emotional support animal vet-bills fees
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