‘I’ve been more than willing to share, but my ex is refusing and trying to keep the dog to himself.': The emotional custody battle for a chihuahua devolves into a spiteful standoff, as the ex-boyfriend maliciously denies the dog’s mom any access

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Sep 26, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Adopting dog children before marriage is one of the most thoughtless things to do, but alas, it happens far more often than anyone would like to admit. Now, let us be clear, the issue is not the adoption itself, it is what happens when the couple breaks up. Because as you will see from this story, more often than not that same dog child who was showered with adoration and love soon becomes a pawn in the couple's vindictive games, putting the poor creature in a spot that they never deserved to be in.

So we implore you to read this story, add it to the context of not having children before marriage for the very same reasons, and think really hard about what it means to be a doggo pawrent if you are considering getting a pawdorable puppper before tying the knot. 
 

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  • 01
    My ex boyfriend and I had a dog together. I paid for the puppy in full and picked him out, a 5 pound chihuahua that would be perfect considering we both work and live in an apartment.
    via Any-Mammoth-6951
  • 02
    I surprised my boyfriend with the fact I had boughten the puppy and we were both so excited. When it
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  • 03
    came time for vet bills I paid for all of those as my boyfriend was no longer working but I was and had the money. Flash
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  • 04
    forward a year and a half later and countless dollars I spend to cover up for his lack of income we break - up. He threatens
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  • Yikes, money problems like this are the root of so many problems in relationships. It is just so sad that in this case it largely revolves around a pupper who deserves so much better than to be the indirect source of a relationship’s issues. Also, can we just take a moment to wonder how in the heck this man did not work for a whole freaking year and a half?

  • 05
    that the apartment is his since his name was on the lease when we moved in, I argue he can't afford it anyways so let me keep it? But he tells
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  • 06
    me that he'll tell the landlord I'm a terrible tenant and will make sure I can't keep it. While all this is happening my boyfriend is completely blocking me from all contact of the dog on the second floor of our apartment. I did not
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  • 07
    brown chihuahua lying on a bed
    via otsphoto via Adobe Stock

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    want to argue with someone who was completely unreasonable so I let it go. He tells me days later he's leaving the apartment while I'm at work, I say fine so
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  • 09
    am I as you threatened me anyways. I come home and he has taken the dog. A week goes by and it's Easter weekend and I say I'm coming to get the dog for
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  • 10
    my Easter with my family (I have - 6 and 13 year old sister who love the dog and have known him since day 1). I drive out to get the dog with my mother and he and his family refuse to bring the dog out.
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  • 11
    After 2 hours of texting and asking to please share the dog with me as this is going to have to happen anyways? But he threatens to call police and says I will not be getting
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  • Wow, this is just some seriously devious behavior. A psychologist might argue that this is some sort of desperate attempt to keep his now ex partner close to him, as the doggo is all that he has left connected to his failed relationship. Now that it should excuse this man’s inability to let go.

  • 12
    the dog as a l bought him as a gift for him. This back and forth goes on for weeks, ultimately resulting in me not being allowed to see the dog at all whatsoever. The dog.
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  • 13
    I picked out, paid for, and chose to be a part of my family. I've been more than willing to share, but my ex is refusing and trying to keep the dog to himself. I
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  • 14
    have all the proof I paid for the dog and the vet bills completely. Anyways I need help.
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  • 15
    If your name is on all of the paperwork, and the money for purchase and vet care all came from your account, and you can
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  • 16
    brown and white dog in nature
    via By: MrPreecha via Adobe Stock

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 17
    prove it, you could simply report the dog as stolen to the police. Pets are treated as property, and you have proof of ownership.
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  • 18
    They can retrieve the stolen property and return it to you. If your ex wants to fight for ownership rights, it is on him to take you to court, not the other way around.
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  • 19
    3Hea... Yes. Get a lawyer and take all the paperwork and bills that you paid. Also was the dog registered?
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  • 20
    Reckl... Did you actually get the dog for him as a gift? The way you said you surprised him
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  • 21
    with the dog suggests that you did, if so the dog belongs to him. If you didn't buy the dog as a gift then the dog belongs to
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  • 22
    you and you need to take him to court to get the dog back.
    via Any-Mammoth-6951

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keep refuse share Battle dogs malicious emotional ex boyfriend reddit story chihuahua dog story denied custody
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